Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-11
il HE BLUE BUCKLE
A BATTLING MYSTERY AND OF ADVENTURE
The RmnngE Caupaw"E Etc
Author Of THE Red Mouse" 9TH" Running Fgh' Catspaw Etc

Sophie cast a grateful glance toward
! her mistress; but Craig thought that ne
| observed a look Of understanding hasn
/ from her to the two men, as she turned
! and left the room.
/ Rutherford himself had recognized both
| the men at once. They were the secret
/ service men from tho ship. Plainly, he
| was In a light corner with the smugEled
booty visible In his possession. Neverthe-
less. he endeavOred to gain time by dis
! sembling.
what brought you here?' he de-
| manded
you know very we'll what we want"
said one
~ do not. But even if / did, the secret
service has nothing to do with me- an
swered Rutherford calmly.
wen see about that. The Government
wants you and that diamond necklace you
smuEgled in"
Here's the necklace, but did not
smuggle 1t I'M I'm perfectly willing to
20 to your superior, and explain how
the thing came into my possession -
He stopped suddenly, realizing that this
was precisely what he could not explain.
As he half-eXtended the gems, the first
man paid no attention to his hesitation.
but reached for them eagerly.
ooh, that's all right" he said, Just
give UP the necklace quietly now, and
we can fix It UP at the office later.
That's the best way 10 keep OUT ol tlou-
bic. Give It up
But the fellow had over-reached him
self. Rutherford had noted the look OF
cupldlty which came into his eyes. ana
also realized that It was a decidedly un-
official proceeding to allow suspect I"
20, merely upon release of property.
with swift motion of his wrist he
slipped the Jewels into his pocket.
None of that" cried the man, lung
ing at him.
But he reckoned without his host
Rutherford met him halfway with firm
set of his muscles which halted the man
with Jolt The other sprang to his
side, and tried to glover Rutherford OH.
of countenance.
You're getting in bad" he said. re
sisting an officer. Better give UP the dta-
monds without any fuss!
Rutherford wavered. After ALL why
should he care what became of the neck
lace? He was tired of the very sound OF
the word He would give them UP now.
and make his peace with the customs Of
fee later. But an objection came from
another quarter. Mrs. Talcott stood by
his side, facing the men undaunted.
"Mr. Rutherford. don't do it! I warn
you If these men are not what they
claim to be, you will have to reimburse
the Government for the diamonds. Please
be sure before you act!'
"Right-Oh," he said. smiling at her.
"It will be easy enough to make sure.
! will Just call up the customs office and
see"
While he spoke, he had reached for the
telephone, but he never clasped the re-
ceiver.
IT guess not" interrupted one of the
men. "We're in charge of this case-see?'
And he blocked the way, while his part
ner took the instrument away from Ruth
erford,
The latter looked from one man to the
other in surprise and Mrs. Talcotts
warning took on a deeper import II
these men were what they pretended to
be, what he had all along believed them
to be. why should they object to such
simple proof?
you're just trying to gain time"
clustered one. "But 1t won't work You
needn't think that we are going TO fool
around here any longer. Give up that
necklace quick. or I'll know the reason
why"
Craig ragged at the insult in the words
He realized with start that he was not
in some foreign land but at home, in old
New York. where he was respected
and well-known citizen, with friends and
influence at his command. The folly or
standing here and letting common ruff !
fan. even n he were an officer of the
law insult him, was more than he could
stand.
Give me that phonew he commanded.
"Tf you are what you claim TO be, n
simple question won't hurt you. 7 de-
mand the right
He showed the intruding man aside. |
and stretched out his hand once more for
the instrument The next instant, both
of the fellows were upon him.
He struck out vigorously with his right |
and left. but the men were too close, |
and quickly plnioned his arms.
None Of that, I tell you! Resisting |
an officer" shouted one, drawing an
ugly-looking club from his pocket.
Rutherford saw the weapon brandished |
above his head and about to descend. |
He knew in the instant that these men