The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-23
Plot by George Bronson H0tuard NOvelizati

I first came aboard you told me you loved your work MT. Shelley!"
 "Oh, well-one says lots of things one finds one mistaken about, when has time to thinl1l" he said, fatuously. Shelley was far gone, indeed; there could be no doubt about that. And Jones, taking note of everything, well satisfied, the whole. He knew that Mona had failed, but he had never built very strong hopes upon the outcome of her attempt to penetrate the shell of MT. X. He knew very well that in the spy he was opposed by an antagonist who would require the very best efforts of any who opposed him. And his deter mination to the plans not whit daunted by the increasing darkness of the out look.
 The day before the steamer was to dock saw the three conspirators again in consultation.
 By Jove-it looks pretty bad" said Jones. Now, if we were on an American liner, going into New York, I'd have difficulty I'd have that safe opened in jiffy the plea that he a smuggler-and get the chance to search his things"
 "Wait minute '" she said, suddenly q believe I've got idea-t's terribly risky-but, if there was any real trouble, you could get all out of it, sooner later couldn't you?"
 "As soon as I could reach the nearest Amer ican minister with my credentials" said Jones. "But that sort of thing Is frowned on-the State Department doesn't want to have to get its agents out of trouble very often"
 "Oh I don't really believe it would come to that said Mary. "I was just thinking that it would be well to have an anchor to wndward, that's all. When I've told you the whole idea you'll why.
 "Go ahead-dont keep in suspense" said Mona. She spoke rather sharply; she still irritated and disturbed by her failure It had touched her pride-and it was because she realized that that she angry.
 'There'Il be festivities of sort tonight, you know" said Mary "Mr. Shelley is full of the plans. A quite wonderful dnner-the captains dinner, you know. And music afterward, and chance to dance, perhaps. All the women are to bring out their very prettest gowns-were to be very stunning"
 ''Wel?" said Jones.
 "Listen p said Mary. And she unfolded her plan. They listened in the growing excitement, hands softly
 "oh, that's splendid Mary!" she laughed.
 "Well-wil it work?" Mary asked Jones, when she had finished
 q believe it will" he said, drawing a long breath. My hat is off to you-I believe you've hit upon the way out of difficulties! Win or lose-you've given us the gamblers chance, that's all we have right to expect And, if we win oh, it's worth trying, thousand timesp
 "You the risk, don't you?" said Mary. There's letting ourselves think that it will be easy. We've got to work together-and yet not let soul on board suspect that we're do- ing anything of the sort"
 "Oh of course" said Mona. "How lucky that arranged to stay apart through the voyage as we did! I couldn't see just why that was nec- essary when arranged t-and yet, if we had not, there would have been no chance even to try this plan of yours Mary"
 "Well-to work then /" said Mary You both understand? You won't be at the dinner, MT. Jones?"
 I'm dreadfully sorry" he said, in mock dis tress But feel one of my terrible headaches coming on, and I'll have to the ships geon, and ask him to get little relief-and, incidentally, establish bit of evidence that will in handy later on !'
 Its too bad you have to miss all the fun,' said Mona, mockingly
 CT think I'll he able to hear ,1p" he said with a grin II rather suspect I'll be cured-to- night! And I'll eat big lunch to make up for the dinner I shall have to miss. On second thought, I'll wait until after lunch before I see the doctor!"
 Mona and Mary were both radiant that night, when they appeared at the captains dinner Both were superbly dressed; those who knew of the cooness between them whispered to one an- other that each had evidently determined to out shine the other
 It would have been hard to say which of them had succeeded. Indeed, honors between them appeared, at first glance, to be But it not long before all eyes drawn to superb necklace of diamonds that Mona wore. It dimmed the lustre of every other jewel, although several of the other women ornaments of unusual brilliancy and beauty. And it was im- possible for anyone who could not take the neck lace and examine it closely to see that it con- sisted, not of diamonds, but of imitation stones cleverly wrought that any but expert eye must have been deceived.
 Mary started with well fegned jealousy, when she the stones. She turned to the purser, and, intending it seemed, that only he should hear her, but speaking loudly enough for the others at the table to catch her meaning, said
 Don't you think such display of jewels is in very bad taste? A few simple rings-but for young girl to wear such string of huge stones that We'll, was brought up not to believe in so much display!"
 q say-it is rather startling!" admitted the purser. "Still suppose she likes to show them