The Washington herald., 1916-06-18

tune as that around her necki"
Perhaps everyone doesn't want TO-" said
Mary. icily
And her eyes went back to the Jewels, time
and again, throughout the dinner, and later when
dancing began. The great main saloon had en-
closed a part of the deck, too, for those who
wanted air. And IN the brilliant confusion of the
scene no one saw Mona steslthuy appropriate q
tiara from one dancer; a jeweled ornament Of an
other sort from another.
Here" said Mona. She had come straight
from the dancing floor with her booty wrapped in
handkerchief; she handed IL 70 Jones who was
waiting for her in the empty and deserted cor
ridor near the ststeroon in which he Sup
posed to be trying to find relief from his head
ache in sleep.
Good grill" said Jones, taking it eagerly.
That's the part that has worried me most
was afraid would be caught in the sot-snd We
would have had frightfully difficult time In ex-
planning that"
"I was frightened myself" said Mona Blu.
I had to make up in some fashion for the way
failed with Mr.. Y :"
Hurry back-you mustn't risk any delay
said Jones "Iu be waiting an1iou,ly"
As Mona went beck she unfsstened her neck
lace and held it in her hand. Her brief absence
had not been noticed; she found partner wait
ing eagerly for her, and was swept into the maze
of dancers at once. As she passed Mary, dancing
with the purser, she nodded slightly, and a mo
ment later Mary, as if by accident, brushed
against her. In the momentsry contact Mona
slipped her necklace into Msry's corsage.
And five minutes later as she passed a mir
ror, she screamed suddenly
Instantly every in the room felt for
her own jeTelry, and two more added their out
cry TO Mons's.
"Ladies-be calm ~ said the captain. he had
stopped the music; he spoke quietly, but sternly.
Rest assured that it is impossible for you lose
your property this ship. The thief cannot get
away. l shall ask everyone present TO submit 10
sesrch-suspecting no one, but thus giving the
innocent certain way TO prove their innocence" :"
No one objected; 70 do would have seemed
vided to submit 10 the search And Mons's neck
lace was found when Msrys turn came!
"There-theres some horrible mistake! Z"
gasped Mary. 81 never took il How can anyone
suspect of such q thing?"
She burst into hysterical sobbing. Shelley
Indignantly took her part some one, he insisted,
must have played trick Mary. But the cap
tain brushed aside their protests he spoke sterny
and with the weight Of authority, 70 the Purser.
u cannot go behind the evidence" he said,
gravely. The young woman must be confined in
her cabin until we land It will then be q matter
for the attention of the shore police"
This is my necklace-but where are the
other jewels that were takrnT' asked Mona. She
was following the captain and Shelley, VINO were
escorting Mary 10 her cabin.
And then. in the corridor, they ennruntered
Jones. who appeared, costless and showing ev1-
dence Of having been asleep. he demanded eE-
PLANTATION Of the odd scene from Shelley. And
when he had it he looked grave
Perhaps may be able to throw some light
you have made terrible mistake"
II cannot admit that Mr.. Jones - said the
captain. But I shall be glad 70 hear what you
have to tell"
1T will not take long, captain As you know,
was unable 70 attend the dinner on account Of
a severe headache-which is only Just beginning
TO weld 10 the doctors medicine. During the
evening ! lay in my berth, with my door open,
and my light out. I Mr. Armstrong, as he
calls himself, go into his room-frst looking bout
TO make sure that he was not observed. This
aroused my curiosity and looked in upon him.
He thought, suppose, that nv room was empty
I him take some iewels-s tiara and some
other ornaments-fron his pocket and place them
IN his sate!"
~ knew itr' cried Mary, Historically He
must have placed that necklace on me 10 throw
suspicion against me-"
That is a very serious charge" said the
captain.
You can prove its truth by having the safe
opened-the Purser, here, has the combination. I
understand" said Jones. "Captaia-suppose YOU
stay here with Miss Barnett. Let Mr.. Shelley and
Miss Hartley, of the victims. examine the
safe l will undertake to keep Mr.. Armstrong
away"
The captain hesitated, but yielded. in the
end And now Jones covertly returned the Jewels
TO Mona, and she held them she went with the
purser TO the room Of Mr.. Y. He bnelt bv the
safe; Just she heard the tumblers fall at the
opening. Mona cried out:
Someone is coming-Mr. Armstrong, I'm
afraid!
q moment Mona reached the safe, drew out a
package of papers and threw in the jewels. And
when the purser came back only the Jewels were
in the safe! His delight knew no bounds BE
rushed off at once to carry the good news TO
Mary. And Mona, at Jones door, knocked. At
once he reached out his hand and took the plans
and she heard the striking Of match. A
minute would be enough to burn the drawing
that, in the hands of hostile power, might have
worked incalculsble injury 10 the United States,
The captain prcfuse in his apologies 20
Mary And she asssiled Mr. X, for whom a
steward had been sent, with the uttermost bitter
ness.
This is-madness I" he burst out, angrily.
ITO accuse Of q orime-of g vulgar theft
You say the jewels were placed IN my safe!
will disprove that by opening It before your
eyes!"
"It has been opened already, sir" said the
captain. The Jewels were found ~
BY whoul?" asked Mr.. K his face pale
"By my purser, sir-and by this lady one Of
your intended Hctimsl"
And then, he looked at Mona, a look Of
understanding came into the spys eye. There
hatred in his eyes too-but he knew that he
powerless. To tell the truth would be 20 ex-
pose himself anew.
Unless the victims Of your intended crime