The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-04

Harry nor MeInOtte will be there. III meet you and get it from you. I can't explain more6
 Mona mystifed but Mary's tone con- vinced her that it of the utmost importance that she should obey her chum to the letter. She wrapped up the copy she had made, laughing the while at it's ridiculous character It was poor copy, she knew, despite the help Harry had given her, that it grotesque, and it would not deceive anyone who knew the original picture for single minute Nevertheless, she decided if Mary wanted it, she should have it.
 But it with greater impatence that she waited at home, after momentaw talk with Mary, who had, of course, no time to tell her what going on. And when Mary in Mona bounced upon her before she could even take off her hat
 "Look!' cried Mary dramatically. She lifted her skirt, and underneath, pinned fast to her underskirt, was the precious picture itself-no copy, but the original masterpiece, the famous Monna Wanna
 Maryl" cried Mona, in a panic. Whatever are you going to do with that?"
 "Ah-that I don't know myself, yetr said Mary.
 But Mona got the story bit by bit.
 "They came back-Harry and Melnotte-with Watson," said Mary. And they showed him the picture. He was tremendously excited-just as stirred up as l would have been if some one had offered me wonderful diamond necklace. They talked lot about showing up man called Crogan-'
 q can tell you about that" said Mona, and did.
 q eer' said Mary. "Well, anyway, Mir. Watson said he would take the picture, and Melnotte was to send it to his house this afternoon. He offered a check, but Melnotte said he would like to have the cash, and Mir. Watson told him all right-to and get it this evening"
 q told you Harry the Hun would have way of getting rid of the picture! !' said Mona.
 That enough for me-that was when 1 slipped out and telephoned to you," said Mary. Later, after Watson had gone they told me to get the picture ready to send-to put it in box, you know. So did-and changed your picture for the real Monna Wanna They never thought to look it again-that the one big chance l took, of course! So-the copy you made has gone to MT. Watsons house and Melnotte is going for the money in about hourr'
 Mona began to laugh helplessy.
 And all the time-we-we-have the or. iginal!" she said "Mary-Mr. Watson will im- mediately see what an awful copy--my copy-has
 "Of course he will And I'm just wondering how we had better work this. I thought of just going there, giving them the original, and telling them what we know, quite frankly-as if we had learned about the theft by accident, and planned to him from being cheated. think he'd be pretty liberal-he could afford to be
 1T think that's the best plan r1ve. said Mona. We'll have to trust to bis giving something worth whie-but ! don't tha1 there's anything else do. Honesty isas just the best policy this time -- -ha only onss tool"
 And so, carrying the precious picture, the two girls set out for Mir. Watson's house.
 And Melnotte and Harry the Hun at about the time, making for the same destna- tion Menotte absolutely confident of suc- cess as he had every reason to be.
 We've done ourselves proud this time, Harry, old boy" he said. We never made better strike than this is going to be !"
 It looks good,' said Harry. But it's good idea not to crow before you've won."
 Outside the house they arranged their plan. Melnotte was to go in, get the money, and join Harry outside Harry had their two bags, and, they had the money, they were to take fight-snce the truth would sooner or later, be to come out. They anticipated no hitch; it hat al hat no the money. And when Melnotte rang the butler appeared to be expecting him.
 Wellington Watson, too was expecting Mel notte. He had brought the president of the Art Museum to his home, expecting to enjoy his dis comfture when he showed him the original Monna Wanna. But, when Monas copy was re- vealed, it was he who discomfted. He turned furiously upon Melnotte, denouncing him. and asking him what he meant by such bare-faced fraud. Melnotte thunderstruck, could only stam- mer that there must have been mistake.
 ''Ill go back to the shop and get the original picture !'' he said.
 But the president of the museum not satisfied.
 Let him go back" he advised, "but with a policeman. He has good deal to explain, if he has the picture-for I can tell you, Watson that the had the original as late yesterday.'
 And, despite Menotte's frantic protests, tho butler sent to call policeman. Harry heard his whistle, and took to flight But special policeman, engaged to guard the homes of the
 
 house. And there Melnotte and Harry each began to the other of double dealing. They com victed themselves and another in their anger; both were placed under arrest
 The two girls, meanwhile, had arrived, in time to what going They decided that they had chosen bad time for their visit, and went home. But the next day, after they had read the stories in the papers, they decided to go back to their original plan. Watson re- ceived them cordially Mona told of the sus- picions Harry's conduct had reused in her. By curious chance, she said, her friend Mary was working for Melnotte, and, learning of the plot, had decided to prevent him from being victimized through the purchase of stolen picture.
 And here," said Mary, dramatically, lis the real Monna Vanna'
 There doubt this time. Watson and the president both recognized it.
 You two ladies' said the president, "were not only upright, but remarkably clever. I feel that the museum owes you the deepest gratitude. A reward of $l 00O would have been offered for the return of the picture-I take great pleasure, now, in writing my check for that sum-
 Ut isn't enough" said Watson And I'm grateful too! I shall give you certain per centage of the money that I would have given . those scoundrels had it not been for your inter- vention P
 That night Mona and Mary their wardro, as restored their jewels redeemed, dined luxuriously in the best restaurant ip the city.