Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-10-15
now. what do you say7'' ASKED Bowen

" ANe w SoA say &SRSa Bowen
evenly.
why not? There's the old Statue
OF Liberty looming up, let's drink
to her." offered Christopher Poe
promptly.
Belasco Bowen whisked through the
saloon and down to his berth. return
Ing instantly with the bottle and q
corkscrew.
Steward" he called to a passing
greyhound. get me a couple OF
glasses, will your"
The boat was already slowing up
for Quarantine, and those of the pas
sengers who had finished their pack
ing were crowding to the portrait to
see the doctor and Customs men come
aboard by the narrow rope-ladder.
Let's get over on the other side,
out OF this crush" suggested Bowen.
They sauntered to the deserted side OF
the ship, where the great Statue of
Liberty stood in full view
Belasco Bowen gazed on across the
water, pointing out several small sail
in.-craft dotting the waves and bob
bling about like corks.
Isn't it beautiful?" he cried.
Yes. but that life looks more ro-
mantle than 1t is. See those two fell
lows down there, alone in the big dory,
handling those heavy oars; do you
think they enjoy the Jolly fishes=aen's
life you read about?" queried Poe
The boat in question was headed out
to sea, and the two fishermen jerked
frantically at their oars to avoid pos
sible collision with the Great vessel
Before Belasco Bowen could reply,
the servile steward stepped up with
the glasses.
Bowen ripped on the tin-foil cap on
his bottle, slowly twisted the screw
into the cork, pulled it out with an
accustomed jerk and filed trimming
glasses for Poe and himself. He
placed the half-empty Bottle in the
scuppers where 1t would not tip over.
and idly removed the cork from the
screw as he smiled at Poe and pro
posed:
Well drink to the dangers of the
sea and the pleasure of saf9 home
coming"
He slipped the corkscrew into his
pocket, absently tossed the cork over
the rail, and raised his glass to touch
the rim OF Poe's.
They drank. and Bowen refilled the
glasses.
And here's to the Goddess of Liber-
ty," cried Poe, turning toward the
gold glittering statue dimly outlined
in the harbor. May every man who
deserves liberty have II"
That's a funny toast" said Bowen
awkwardly, glancing In slight confu-
sion down into the water, where the
two fishermen were drifting astern.
u wonder how that figure OF Lib
erty strikes a petty little smuggler
bringing in valuable goods to defraud
his country" unused Poe, staring
ahead into the dim harbor.
Bowen glanced at him nervously.
What's come over your" he asked
haltingly.
Why, nothing" replied the New
York banker, turning TO-. gaze ,ingenu-
ously into the shifting eyes of his com
panion. 81 was just wondering how
you felt smuggling that Duchess Dia-
mond."
How | feel!" Bowen'r eyebrows
drew down narrowly. His face sud
denly cleared, he glanced nervously
into the water, and then laughed full
in Poe's face.
And I've. been wondering all along
how 1t would feel to be an amateur
detective who thinks he's worked up
case and wins fellows friendship
just to betray him at the finish" His
upper lip curled contemptuously; he
glanced nervously back into the water
"Oh, ! knew you recognized me, :"
said Poe. Some of my baggage is
marked with C. p, and | knew that
wouldn't escape your shar' eyes.
You've called me Hardy with rather
elaborate exactness, thinking you had
joke on me. didn't miss 1t, nor did
miss noticing your eagerness to have
the Van Wendts join that wild party;
saw you were quiek-handed too.
when you spilled the sparks over Miss
Van Wendt, and nipped of the plati-
mum wire with your little nail-clippers,
on which l found the nick made in
cutting the chain. The hana is quick
or than the eye, but not quicker than
the imagination
'sWhat the devil do you mean?" cried
Bowen. putting down his glass. and
turning with his back to the rail. do
you accuse me of stealing the Duchess
Diamond?"
Eyes, and with attempting to SNUG
gle 1t into New York"
Where have l got It concealed
Them" cried Bowen. his hand sneak.
ing toward his hip-pocket.
"Oh, don't trouble to find that little
pearl-handled gun. I've seen 1t bulg.
ing out beneath your coat before. Look
over there. Do you see that officer in
white and those three in blue?" Poe
pointed to a crowd of customs officers
who had just climbed up to the ships
deck from the doctors boat, and were
already coming toward them.
Bowen's expression changed to one
of terror.
81 cabled a friend of mine in New
York to send eustoms-house officers on
board at quarantine, and take you be.
fore you succeeded in smuggling in the
Duchess Diamond"
But / haven't got 1t; I never did
have 1t. You cant prove a thing.