The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-23
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 by GeorgeB HopardN

oft It isn't everyone who can wear such fos" tune that around her necki"
 Perhaps everyone doesn't want to-, saln Mary, jelly
 And her eyes went back to the jewels time and again, throughout the dinner, and later, when dancing began. The great main saloon had enc closed part of the deck, too, for those who wanted air. And in the brilliant confusion of tho scene no one saw Mona stealthily appropriate tiara from dancer; jeweled ornament of an- other sort from another.
 Here" said Mona. She had come straight from the dancing floor with her booty wrapped in a handkerchief; she handed it to Jones, who was waiting for her in the empty and deserted cor ridor the stateroom in which he was sup posed to be trying to find relief from his head ache in sleep.
 Good girl" said Jones, taking it eagerly. "Thats the part that has worried mosti I was afraid would be caught in the act-and we would have had frightfully difficult time in ex- blaming that!"
 q was frightened myself" said Mona. But had to make up in some fashion for the way failed with Mir. X!'
 Hurry back-you musn't risk any delay" said Jones. "Ill be waiting anxiously."
 AS Mona went back she unfastened her neck lace and held itein her hand Her brief absence had not been noticed she found partner wait ing eagerly for her, and swept into the maze of dancers at once. AS she passed Mary, dancing with the purser, she nodded slightly, and mo- ment later Mary, as if by accident, brushed against her. In the momentary contact Mona slipped her necklace into Mary's corsage.
 And five minutes later, she passed mir TOT, she screamed suddenly:
 Instantly every woman in the room felt for her own iewelry, and two more added their outr cry to Monas
 "Ladies-be calm 1" said the captain. He had stopped the music; he spoke quietly, but sternly. Rest assured that 1t is impossible for you to lose your property this ship The thief cannot get away. I shall ask everyone present to submit to search-suspecting no one, but thus giving the innocent a certain way to prove their innocence! Y!
 141I. 1l.o on1 like confession of guilt. Men and women di- vided to submit to the search And Mona's neck lace found when Mary's turn came!
 "There-there's horrible mistaloer gasped Mary. T never took it! How can anyone suspect of such thing?"
 She burst into hysterical sobbing. Shelley indignantly took her part; some one, he insisted must have played trick on Mary. But the cap tain brushed aside their protests; he spoke sternly and with the weight of authority, to the purser.
 q cannot go behind the evidence!" he said, gravely. "The young woman must be confined in her cabin until we land it will then be matter for the attention of the shore police"
 This is my necklace-but where the other jewels that were taken?" asked Mona She following the captain and Shelley, who were escorting Mary to her cabin.
 And then, in the corridor, they encountered Jones' who appeared, coatless, and showing evi- dence of having been asleep He demanded ex- planation of the odd scene from Shelley. And when he had it he looked grave.
 Perhaps I may be able to throw some light on this terrible affair. captain" he said T think you have made terrible mistaken
 "I cannot admit that MT. Jones!" said the captain. "But shall be glad to hear what you have to tell"
 Ut will not take long, captain. As you know, was unable to attend the dinner account of a severe headache-which is only just beginning to yield to the doctors medicine During the evening lay in my berth, with my door open, and my light out I Mir. Armstrong; he calls himself, go into his room-frst looking about to make 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 jewels-a tiara and other ornaments his pocket and place them in his safe!"
 q knew it 1" cried Mary, hysterically. "He must have placed that necklace on me to throw suspicion against mel"
 That is very serious charge" said the captain.
 You can prove it's truth by having the safe opened-the purser here, has the combination, I understand" said Jones. "Captain-suppose you stay here with Miss Barnett. Let MT. Shelley and Miss Hartley, of the victims, examine the safe I will undertake to keep MT. 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 MT. X. He knelt by the safe; just as she heard the tumblers fall at the opening, Mona cried out:
 Someone is coming-Mr. Armstrong, I'm afraid"
 Shelly rushed to the door, and peered out. In a 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 bounds. He 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 incalculable injury to the United States
 The captain profuse in his apologies to Mary. And she assailed Mir. X, for whom a steward had been sent, with the uttermost bitter ness.
 'This is-madnessw he burst out, angrily. "To accuse of crime-of vulgar theft 1! You say the jewels placed in my safe I will disprove that by opening it before your eyes"
 Ut has been opened already, sir" said the captain. ''The jewels found!'
 By whom?" asked MT. x, his face pale.
 By my purser, sr-and by this lady, one of your intended victims"
 And then, as he looked at Mona, look of understanding came into the spy's eye. There was hatred in his eyes, too-but he knew that he powerless. To tell the truth would be to ex- pose himself
 Unless the victims of your intended crime insist, shall not your arrest" said the captain. The jewels have been restored-I shall ask these ladies to spare my ship scandal"
 And, urged by Mary, who magnanimously for gave the suffering he had caused her, Mona and others allowed he nersl, ded