Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-12

Positive. That's what makes your
own story so surprising"
Rutherford's mind was leaping wildly
| from one thing TO another. The men who
had bounded Miss Ballantyne so persist
emily were not secret-service mon. she
had been right When one Of them had
tried to wrest the blue buckle from her,
on shipboard, and the other mad joined
him in the West 10th street house they
we're clearly employed IN some private
affair OF the smuggling gang. The buckle
had nothing TO do with 1t, and had beeh
used I'm the first instance merely as
blind.
mir. Crowdcr. it will be easy enough
for YOU to substantiate the wireless story
and as for this thing" here Craig pushed
the strand Of ie' els across the table TO
the detective--"t wish you'd take charge
of "! II stirs up too much trouble.
If Crowder had continued to entertain
suspicion that this frank-spoken man
was concerned in the smuggling It died
now in the face Of his honest desire 10 get
rid OF the diamonds.
Certainly, I'll take the necklace and
give you receipt. may need YOU In
this matter later. in fact, I'm sure you
can he Of service TO US
"Youll find me-therc," reioined Craig,
handing his card to the officer and receiv-
ing In turn receipt for the necklace
which he turned over to Monty.
Crowder was eager to get away. Both
Rutherford and Brookheld knew that he
was already intenty pursuing in thought
a course Of action he was anxious 10 put
to tho test
"Ntr Rutherford he paused TO say as
he was leaving with the gems in his
inner pocket "if anybody comes to you
about this will YOU let me know
craig gave instant consent ana care
fully pockcted the card which the secret
service man handed him.
"wclI we're iu the thick Of it!" Monty
observed. dclightcdly Put me next to
whatever turns up
Crowder drew Rutherford for an in
stant 10 ono side craig felt that he was
under scrutiny.
"NIr, Rutherford" said Crowder. II wish
vou would tell me one thing more-it may
throw some light upon series of events.
You say 1t was iel"'rihan 'h7l LOOK 'hIs
message"
yes" said Craig. 81 was there when
he received IT,
"You say" went on Crowder." that 1t
was Helderman who was a fellow pas
senger upon the Gothic"
cor course" said Craig,
Crowdcr smiled with assurance, MIR.
Rutherford" he went on, tell me one
thing. How do you know this man was
lIelderman"'
"Ijuow IT," answered Craig. How does
anybody know ANYTHING? | recognized
him in a flash the instant that he named
his name
you've seen him bofore?" asked
Crowdcr.
NO" said Craig. but hc answers the
description He has the characteristics
the charactcr-of HcIderman, the up
start"
you'd stake your life that it was Hell
derman. then?' quered Crowder.
81 would" said Craig. I'm as sure
of II as that"
Crowder smiled In a superior sort OF
way Would il change your views If
| told you something rather startling,
Mr. Rutherford What would you say
if I told you that Helderman was not
passenger OH hoard the Gothc?"
but he was" said Craig,
"He was not" returned Crowder, pos
itively "He was not on board the
Gothic. lie was here present in New
York"
,"What." cried Rutherford. Here, in
New York-ror the past week. Are you
sure"
positive" repeated Crowder.
"IIow can you be sure?" asked Craig.
BECAUSE said Crowder, ~ have seen
him every night-every night, mind you
for the past ten days, and so have half
a dozen other men,
who are they?" queried Craig
Night watchmen." said Crowder, pa
trolling the Drive. Every night We have
seen Helderman-the real Helderman-
through the windows of his house. ] know
tho real Ilclderman when | see him. You
can't fool me about that. And for ten
days at east-for I've been reckoning
him up for at least that tlme-he has
been home every night"
Reckoning him up. repeated Craig.
"ShadowinE him" said Crowder, III it
will suit YOU better"
What fOr?" asked Craig.
Crowder struggled his shoulders TO
tell YOU the whole truth, Mr.. Rutherford"
he said, 81 don't know why. I'm acting
under orders. There's a big mystery CON
nected with this man llelderman, and I'm
told TO keep him more or less in sight
That's how [ know that he's been here
in New York. That's how | know he
was not on tho Gothic"
You think then" querled Craig, that