Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-06-21
BY vANB THOMPSON.
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.

ono of the men.
Westerly scrambled to his feet,
brushed op his duty clothes and
giared at the men.
you've caught ME, all right" he
said, grimly. But what's 1t all about
anyway"
There was a flash of silver stars
beneath coat lapels and one of the
detective condescended to explain the
situation.
ITO begin with, Wickes," he said
eoolly, "of course, you know what
we're after
MY name isn't wickes," returned
The other, calmly.
"Oh, well, of course you'll deny 1t!
Call yourself John Doe If you want
to-and your pal here can call her
aelf Jane Doe, if she likes it better =
Pal" echoed the man and the girl
in unison. why, we are strangers
Can it!' said the detective, with a
rude laugh. I've got your descrip-
lions here somewhere. Well, never
mind. No use telling you what you
know already You're wanted for the
Redman jewel robbery"
The girl uttered a sharp cry and
then was silent
Westerly laughed outright, but he
watched the girl with curious eyes.
You must think I'm a green hand
1T the job to lie down beside the
oath and go to Sleep" he said
oh, you come along. You can
,alk that over at headquarters. And
Westerly and the girl were hurried
10 a waiting motor car and whlrled
ctyward.
Westerly watched the girl with
growing curiosity.
She did not look like a criminal,
although the detectives insisted upon
calling her French Mary. She sat
close Tipped, with an air of aloofness
that puzzled her companions.
As Westerly studied her profile, no
noted that underneath the golden tan
was a clear white skin, her features
were regular the contour of her race
exquisitely dainty. Her hair was
misty black cloud beneath an ancient
Panama hat. Her skirt and blouse
of tan linen were muddy and stained
and her little brown hands were
scratched and soiled. On one finger
blazed q superb emerald.
Westerlys eyes widened. The story
Of the Redman emerald had appeared
in every newspaper, together with
the list of missing jewels. And this
girl was wearing it openly, brazenly
One of the detectives laughed
harshly and touched the ring.
The girl drew her hands away with
a naughty gesture.
please do not touch me again,
she requested.
what fine airsl" sneered the dis
eomfited official. And what jewels
might you be wearing. Mister John
Doe" He turned to Westerly.
"I1l show you when we face the
erY-it,
The girl turned and looked at him
curiously. Perhaps she studied his
clean-out face with it's close-lipped
mouth and quiet gray eyes too long,
for when Westerly encountered her
gaze she blushed hotly and turned
away.
They reached headquarters and
soon faced the chiefs keen scrutiny.
What the dickens, men," he be
gan. and then became watchfully
silent.
Slippery Wickes and his pal
French Mary-wanted for the Red
man robbery" announced the detee-
tive promptly
Slippery Wickes, eh?" exploded
the chief. And French Mary?"
His pal"
His pal" echoed the chief abb
stractedly.
"Yep-caught with the goods on.
Show the chief your emerald, my
1adyi'
The girl laid her little soiled hand
on the chiefs big one.
This is the Redman emerald" she
coolly said 1--WE worn 1t for years.
1t belongs to mel"
"She's off, chief" cried the ao-
cusers.
The chief stilled them with a ges-
ture.
Go on" he said to her, tell me
who you are and how you happened
to be caught
IT was in the Redman woods" She
said in her low, refined voice. gath
ering specimens for my collection. ]
am fond of botany and get rather
grubby messing around in the woods.
As I was going home i saw this
man." indicating Westerly, Lying
asleep under a tree-and II sketched
him. Just then these men came out
and arrested us both. | came along.
] thought 1 might be Of some use of
this man
The chief nodded.
And who are you, miss2" he
bhIntly asked.
The girl laughed muscally. why,
am CYNTHIA Redman," She said. IT
knew this man must be innocent of
the robbery, for this afternoon my
fathers coachman made full con-
fession of the crime and restored the
stolen property"
The crestfallen detectives looked
upon Westerly as a remaining prop
TO their official dignity.
''Shall we run this fellow in?" one
asked.
"Oh. run yourselves in for a pair
of numskulls!" snapped the chief.
Cant you recognize one of your own
police commissioners?
westerly, at your service, grinned
the dusty man. II was trying to find
the 2,sdman place-wanted to do
little sleuthing myself. l didn't reveal
my identity. l thought perhaps
might be of use to Miss Redman, al
though she was a stranger to me"
AS the chief went out with the two
detectives, Westerly faced the girl.
THANK you for trying to help me,
he said sincerely.
And thank you for assisting me"
she returned.
1--WE really were pals, after all"
said westerly in a tone of deep sat
faction.
she did not contradict him.
Thev have been married five years
and they are still pals, and always
will be.
Must be a general clean up cam
paign going on in the neighborhood." ;"