The state herald., 1916-03-03

on-her eyes showed the emotions
which she had suppressed in public.
What is it?" she said icily.
Il wanted" said Tommy-'I wanted
to tell you something"
81 think" responded Betsy-Barbara,
that you needn't make any more ex.
planations-thank you'll"
She was turning away when Tommy
recovesed himself.
"Oh, 1t isn't that" he said. 81 can't
explain that, Of course. I'm not trying
to explain that. Miss Lane. It's just
something-something new In the line
OF evidence-about the Hanska case
l think 1t may help"
Betsy Barbara turned again-and
this time quickly. Her look was
startled-but-heaven be praised
friendly.
Something newt" she said. breath
lessly. "oh. you angel fresh from
heaven! Shall send for Constance?"
This was the point where Tommy
North became strategist.
1T has to do" he said humbly.
with the way was last night. You
saw mel shouldn't like to tell her."
Let's take walk" proposed Betsy
Barbara, with her wonderful practi.
cality.
"If you wish" said Tommy North
humbly. and yet thrilled with sense
OF renewed companionship. Indeed.
by the time they reached the street,
he had recovered his spirits so much
as to propose, because the street was
SO noisy. that they take cross-town
car and walk up Fifth avenue. The car
was crowded: they must stand: SO
they did not approach the subject Of
the moment until they were treading
the street OF the spenders.
We'll. what is It? I'm dying to
know." said Betsy. Barbara. the instant
they reached the avenue.
Did | do anything strange" In
quired Tommy. when | first saw you
last night7"
You nearly tumbled at my feet. for
one thing" replied Betsy Barbara.
"what-what were you wearing on
your feet?"
Betsy.Barbara thought 4 second on
this peculiar question.
My velvet slippers with the rhine
stone buckles she said.
Tommy nodded solemnly.
That was it,-I was reaching for
them last night-just as was reach.
ing for something the night ! fell at
Captain Hansks's door. And It brought
everything back"
"oh. what do you mean7" begged
Betsy Barbara. Go onl Please 70
on"
Il had got TO the head OF the stairs
on the night Of the murder" said Tom.
my. "The gas was lighted in the hall.
! waa picked. You know how your
mind gets on one little thing when
you're p!skled-"
Il DON'T" put In Betsy -Barbara, In
spite OF her interest In the story-"but
please go on"
And saw something bright In the
hallway. close to Captain Hanskas
door. braced against q post and
looked At II. II was q cluster OF dia.
mondr-the more I think OF Il, the
more II seems like that shos buckle OF
yours. ] reached out TO get Il. Then
! tumbled and hit-the stun. The tum.
Bile and the sticky feeling put dia.
monds GU, OF my mind. But I'm sure.
Just the same. that saw n bunch OF
diamonds or something beside that
door. You've asked mo TO tell you
anything ! might dnd about the Han.
ska case And I'm telling. that's all. +"
Botsy' Barbara considered.
1t may not mean anything she
said. "and II may mean a good deal. &"
She considered again. Even II the
diamonds wer. there. maybe Il had
nothing to do with our case. II any.
body had been robbed that night, II
there had been any signs OF burglar,
this evidence would be very important.
But tho police say that the house
wasn't entered Then again. what bo.
came OF the diamondsr II seems no
one else noticed them"
Well remarked Tommy North
NSHN"'F' h'fo were great many
policemen In III. house"
Betsy.liarbara walked on, .till think.
lns' Maybe, I'm afraid. though. that
II might be only an alteration" sh,
said finally
Perhaps" echoed Tommy North.
And now, having finished his introduc.
ton. ho approached th. subjee, near.
est his heart.
"of course. that's all" he said. "er,
ecp, tina, owe you an apology for
for my condition last night"
IT In TO yourself" said Betsy. lar,
bhrh, that you owe the apology. Mr..
North, why did you do it-ssain'"
Now II was IN Tommy Noriha I'm,
pulses to tell exactly why he did It
to come out with the truth. aooompa.
MED by his opinion OF phliandcring
spanlhrda. Hut that would have
4 amounted 10 a declaration. and TO dc.
clare his feelings for Bctsy. barbara
was leagues beyond his presen, eour.
age.
oh" he said. oarelessiy. desperate