The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-04

eleventh hour, have to make an entirely new plan,
unless she wanted all the work she and Mona
had already done to go for nothing.
Her only grain of comfort was that she
heard Melnotte. speaking over the telephone,
make an appointment with Watson, for the fol-
lowing afternoon. They to meet at the
museum. Mary was afraid to jump at conclu-
sion again, but she did feel that there q
chance now to save the day.
We're like people working In the dark" she
told Mona, that night when the two compared
notes. so TAI there's been altogether too much
guess work to suit me-and from I'd
like to have some facts to work with"
We've got to have Them said Mona. And
the essential thing is to overhear the con-
versation tomorrow when Melnotte meets Watson
at the museum"
Mary nodded her agreement.
You'll have to be the to get these facts"
she said "And don't how you're going to
do it, They're to be suspicious if there's
anyone within earshot."
leave that TO me-" said Mona. confidently.
"I've made one or two discoveries about that mu-
since I've been working there with Harry.
Did you ever hear of the whispering gallery?
yes" said Mary. Frightening. DO you
mean to say there's something of the sort in the
museum"
The acoustics are very peculiar" said Mona.
81 won't make any promises at all, but | have
hopes-very high hopes
And the next day she took up her watch in
a certain spot in the gallery. From where she
waited she could not the despoiled frame of
her. And, enough, after a little time, she
heard the voice of Melnotte.
Il told you you'd be surprised, Mr.. Watson I"
said the dealer II needn't point out to a real
collector like yourself that this is singularly
impudent copy of the famous Norma Vanna?"
by jove!' said voice that was strange to
Mona-the voice of Watson. you're right, man
What a scandal
THE estimabe Mr.. Crogan has certainly
fooled the public this time !" said Melnotte.
"oh, give the man his due-he's fool. not
a crook" said Watson 1--WE no doubt he thought
he had the real thing-and I happen to know
that he paid stiff price for this forgery Of his
He'll look pretty foolish when this comes out"
He's always refused to take competent ad-
vice" began Menotte.
Meaning yourself?" suggested Watson.
Far removed from them though she was
every word clear and distinct to Mona's
alert ears. And yet she knew that had she been
within a dozen feet of them she would have
heard only indstinct and meaningless
It was curious trick of acoustics, throw
ing the sound of their voices about, echoing from
this spot and that that brought the sounds to
her distinctly.
Melnotte ignored the collectors interruption.
81 suppose you'd like to know where the
original is?" he said.
Would II" said Watson. ard buy It in like
a shot and present 1t to the museum, just for the
pleasure of seeing Crogan squirm-the ignor-
amusr'
"Well-it's not very far from here" said Mel
notte. ats in my shop, to be frankl know
trust you to respect my confdencel"
There was exclamation Of amazement
from Watson.
"Well-I shall certainly have to see II you
right" he said. "And if you are I'll be as
good my word-I1 take 1t Off your hands and
give 1t to the museum myself! Perhaps people
won't take rich dabber in art like Crogan
seriously after this !"
Once more Mona had to suffer the strain of
waiting to learn from Mary the outcome Of some
thing of which she herself had the begin
ming. But she could wait patiently; she
hat yvba Mn ar,ah cme here yop11 Ia
And. matter of fact, she had not quite
long to wait. She hurried home herself, and in
little while the telephone rang
'Quick!" gasped Mary. 1--WE only a second.