The evening world., 1916-06-17

Instantly every woman in the room
added their outcries to Mona's.
"Ladies--ne calm!" said the cap
tain. He had stopped the music; he
spoke quietly but sterrly. Rest as
sured that II IN impossible for you 70
lose your property on this ship. The
thief cannot get away. l shall ask
every one pi esent TO submit 10 a
scarch-suspectins no one. but thus
giving the innocent q certain way to
prove their innocence"
No ono objected; to do % would
have seemed like q confession OF guilt.
Men and women divided to submit
to the search. And Mona'S necklace
was found when Mary's turn came.
"There-there's some horrible mis-
take!" gasped Mary. II never took
II! How can any one suspect mo OF
such a thing"
She burst into hystericai sobbtns.
Shelley Indignantly took her part;
some one, he insisted. must hav~
played q trick on Mary. But the cap
tain brushed aside their protests; he
spoke sternly and with the weight
of authority. to tho purser.
'T cannot 90 behind the evidenced"
he said. gravely. The young woman
must be confined In her ca bin until
We hand; Il will then be . matter for
che attention of tho shore police"
This Is my necklace-but where
arc the other Jewels that were TAX.
emp" asked Mona. She was following
the captain and Shelley. who were
sscortns Mary to her cabin.
And then. In the corridor. they en-
eountered Jones. who appeared. coat
less and showing evidence OF having
been asleep. He demanded an az
planation Of the odd scene from Shel.
ley And when ne had It he looked
grave.
Perhaps I may be able 70 throw
some light on this terrible AFFAIR,
captain" he said. II think you havs
made a terrible mistake!'
Il cannot admit that. Mr.. Joneof"
said the captain. 'But I shall Be
glad 20 hear what you have to tall
1T viii not take long. Captain. A.
you know. I was unable 70 attend
the dinner on account Of q severe
headache-which 10 only jBt begin
ming 10 yield TO the doctors medicine.
During tho evening lay in my berth.
saw Mr.. Armstrong. as ne calls HIM
self. 80 into his room-hrst looking
about 20 mako sure that he was not
observed. This aroused my curiosity
and looked In upon him. He
thought, suppose. that my room was
empty. I saw him take spme Jewelry
"a tiara and some other ornaments
from his pocket and place them IN
7 knew A." cried Mary, hystsr.
ically. He must have placed that
necklace ON me to throw euspScson
against me-"
That Is a worry serious oharrAs
said the captain.
You can prove tts truth by hav.
ing the safe opened-the purser, here,
has the combination, Understand"
said Jones. "Captain-suppose you
stay here with Miss Barnett. Let Mr..
victims. examine the safe. will un-
dertake to keep Mr.. Armstrong
away"
The captain hasitated, but yielded
In the end. And now Jones covertly
returned the jewels TO Mona. and che
hold them as she went with the purser
to the room OF Mr., X. He kneit by the
safe: just as she heard the tumbiers
fall at the opening, Mona cried out,
some one Ia coming--Mr. ARM
Shelley rushed to the door ana
peered out. In a moment Mona
reached the safe. drew out a package
or papers and threw In the Jewels.
And when the purser came back only
the Jewels were in the safe! His de-
light knew no bounds. He rushed on
al once 20 carry the good news TO
Mary. And Mona, at Jones's door,
knocked. Al once he reached out his
hand and took the piano-and -
heard the striking OF a matoh.
minute would be enough 20 burn ths
drawing that. in the hands OF q nos.
tie power might have worked in.
SaLeulahle injury to the Tinted
The captain was profuse in NJ.
apologies 10 Mary. And she nssajled
Mr. X, for whom a steward had been
sem: with the uttermost bitterness.
lnis s-madness!" he burst out,
Of a vulgar theft! You saw tha
Jewels were placed in my safe! I will
your eyes"
IT has been opened already. str."
said the captain. THE jewels were
by whom" asked Mr.. X, his faes
pale. '~]o
by my purser, sir-and by mi,
iady. one OF your Intended victims,"
And then, as he looked at Mona, n
look of understanding came into ths
spy's eye. There was hatred in his
eyes, too-but ne knew that he was
powerless. To tell the truth would be
to expose himself anew.
UNLESS the victims OF your In
tended crime insist, | shall not cause
your arrest" said the captain. '.Tho
Jewels have been restored-I shall
ask these ladies TO spare my srip a
scandal"
And. urged by Mary, who maRnan,
imously forgave the suffering he mad
caused her Mona and the others al
TO press the charge against MIR. x
ITO De Continued)