Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-03-04
CHAPTER xxvI1I-tcontipued)

I iIG " SEE II.
But If he knew they were imita-
uons,' protested. why should he go
10 az that trouble to steal them?"
Ihat is what puzzled me last night"
said Godfrey; and, for that matter it
puzzles me yet"
Maybe he's got the real stones, aft
er all suggested Grady, who has been
c~ountenance. THE story sounds fishy
to me. Maybe these are the immi-
tations."
M. Pigot am forward and picked up
The Mazarin and looked at 1T.
This one, at least. is real" he said,
after q moment. And I have no doubt
n others are" he added, turning them
over with his finger.
Grady, still incredulous, picked up
one or the b~rilliants. went to the win
dow, and drew it down the pane. 1t
left a deep scratch behind it.
Yes he admitted reluctantly. II
guess they're diamonds, all right" and
he sat down again.
And now, gentlemen continued
Godfrey, who had watched Grady's by
play with a tolerant smile. Il am ready
to turn these diamonds over to you. l
should like you to count them, and
give me a receipt for them"
And then, OF course, you will write
the story" sneered Grady, and give
yourself all the credit"
Well" asked Godfrey looking at
him, do you think you deserve any,"
And Grady could only crimson and
Keep silent. las for the story. it is
streets in 10 minutes-and it will cre-
ate a sensation. Please count the dia-
monds. You will find 80 Of them"
n is the exact number stolen
from the Grand Duke" remarked NJ.
Pigot, n fell to counting. The num-
Der was 210.
Mr.. Sherrow has the receipt" God
frey added, and Shearrow took a paper
from his pocket, unfolded it. and read
the contents.
1t proved to be not only a receipt,
but a full statement of the facts Of the
case, without emitting the details of
the robbery and the credit due the
Record for the recovery OF the dia-
monds. Grady's ace grew redder II
redder as the reading proceeded.
Il won't sign no such testimonial
as that he clustered. mot on your
life / WON'T"
You will sign it, will you not, M.
Pigot?" asked Godfrey.
Certainly" said the Frenchman; ut
is a recognition OF your services very
well deserved" and he stepped Onward
and signed it with a flourish.
Now, S~imnonds," said Godfrey.
No, you DON'T" broke in Grady.
quay Nli'iS SoO A4S, GIliliiioildS. L
bid you W sign that. Remember, I'm
your superior officer"
mo, he's not, Simmonds," said God
frey, quietly. He hasn't been an Off
Ger at all for an hour and more"
Grady sprang to his feet, his eyes
blazing, and strobe toward Godfrey.
What do you mean by that?" he
shouted.
squarely in the eye, that Mr.. Shear
row and myself had q talk with the
mayor this morning, and laid before
him certain evidence in our possession
this latest case among others-and
that your resignation was accepted at
noon today
MY resignation" snorted Grady. II
never wrote onei'
Tell the public that, II you want to-"
retorted Godfrey coldly. That's your
affair. You ought to have 'phoned 1t
in when [ told you to. Now, Sim
monds.'
Grady stood 'glaring about him an In
slant like an enraged bull, and I half
expected him to hurl himself on Cod
frey; instead. he crushed his HI upon
his head, strobe to the door. jerked 1t
open, and banged it behind him.
Now, S~imInonds," Godfrey repeated,
as the echo died away. and Simmonds
came forward and signed. I witnessed
the signatures, and Godfrey, with more
eagerness than he a shown in the
whole affair, caught up the paper and
sprang with it to h door.
Get that down to the office a. quick
I'll phone instructions. That" he
added. closing the door and turning
back to us, Us my reward for all this
or, rather. the Records reward. And
now, gentlemen. Mr.. Shearrow has his
d below. and I think we would bet
ter drive around to some safe deposit
box with this plunder.'
It was perhaps 10 days afterward that
Godfrey dropped in to see me one eve-
ming. I was just back from a week on
Cape Cod. which had done me a world
of good: and. I need hardly say, was
glad to see him.
you're looking normal again." he
said. surveying me, as he sat down.. II
was worried about you for a while
ct never felt better. I told you hat
all l needed was to nave that mystery
solved"
And it was solved on schedule time,
wasn't it," he smiled; though not quite
IN the way 1 had anticipated. Do you
know. Lester" he added. II am going
to claim that cabinet"
con what grounds?" I demanded.
Because the man who owned it gave
it to me-" and he got q paper out of
his pocketbook and handed it across to
me.
] opened 1t and recognized the deli
cate and feminine writing which I had
seen once before.
my deal sir: (the letter RAM
II find that ] made the mistake of
Understanding you, and I present you
my sincere apologies I trust that, at
some future time, it may be my priv
ilege to be again engaged with you
the result is certain to DO most inter-
esting. But at present I find that I
must return to Europe by La Bre-
tagne; since. after the trouble I have
taken, 1t is impossible that I should
consent to part with the brilliants of
his highness the grand duke. As a
slight souvenir Of my high regard. I
trust you will be willing to accept the
cabinet Boule, which T am certain that
good M. Lester will surrender TO you
II you will snow to him this letter. The
cabinet is not only interesting In It.
self, but will be doubly 80 to you be-
cause Of the part it has played in our
little comedy. And I should X to
know that it adornS a corner of your
home.
It'll we meet again, dear sir, believe
me your sincere admirer,
tsCrochard I.'Tnvfncfhlei"