The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-11-02
Merrill Co.
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"Rather looks as though Chain Light
nings collar had choked of our gay
ETY." he mumbled. Serves her right
for wearing the thing in her hair. She
spoiled two corking lines for NE by
not wearing it where you'd naturally
expect a necklace to be worn"
Minot Unanswered so as to intercept
Lord Harrowby under the portico.
May / speak with you a moment?"
he inquired. Harrewby bowed, and
they stepped into the shadows of the
drive.
~ Lord Harrowby,' said Minot, trying
to keep the excitement from his voice,
II have certain information about one
Of the guests here this evening that I
believe would interest you. Your lord
ship has been badly buffaloed. One Of
our fellow diners at Mrs. Bruce's table
holds the title of the ablest jewel thief
in American
He watched keenly to catch Lord
IIarrowby's start Of surprise. Alas,
he caught nothing of the sort
Nonsense" said his lordship nom
chalantly You mustn't let your Inn
agination carry you away, dear chap"
Imagination nothing! know what
I'm talking about" And then Minot
added sarcastically, "Sorry to bore you
! with this"
Ills lerdship laughed.
''Right-o, old fellow. I'm not inter-
ested."
but haven't you just lost
"a diamond necklace? Yes" They
had reached particularly dark and
secluded spot beneath the canopy of
palm leaves. Harrowby turned sud-
denly and put his hands on Minot's
shoulders. Mr.. Minot,'' he said, you
are here to see that nothing interferes
with my marriage to-. Miss Meyrick.
! trust you are determined to do your
duty to your employers
Absolutely. That is Why
Then" replied Harrowby quickly,
II am going to ask you to take charge
of this for me-
Suddenly Minot felt something cold
and CLASSY In his hand. Startled, he
looked down. Even in the dark Chain
Ligntning's collar sparkled like the fa-
nous toy that 1t was.
''Your lordshipr'
Il cannot explain now / can only
tell you it is quite necessary that you
help me at this time IL you wish to do
your full duty by Mr.. Jephson."
-sWho took this necklace fro14 Miss
Meyrick's harp asked Minot hotly.
Il did assure you it was the only
way to prevent our plans from going
awry. Please keep it until / ask fol-
It," @
And, turning, Lord Harrowby walked
rapidly toward the house.
..The brutev' Angrily Mr. Minot
stood turning the necklace over in his
hand $50 he frightened the girl he
is to marry-the girl he is, supposed tc
love-
What should he do-go to her and
tell her Of Harrowby's amiable eccen
tricities? He could hardly do that
narrowly had taken him into his con
.fidence-and besides, there was Jeph-
son Of the great bald head, the Peter
Pan eyes. Nothing to do but wait.
Returning to the hotel from Mrs
Bruce's villa, he found awaiting him q
cable from Jephson. The cable as
sured him that beyond any question
the man In San Marco was Allan Ear
rowby and, like Caesars wife, above
suspicion
Yet even as he read Lord Harrowby
walked through the lobby, and at his
side was Mr. James O'Malley, house
detective of the Hotel de la Pax. They
came from the managers Office, where
they had evidently been closeted.
With the cablegram in his hand Mi
not entered the elevator and ascendei
to his room. The other hand was il
the pocket of his topcoat, closed tight
~ upon Chain Lightnings collar-ths
bauble that the Earl Of Rayb.'oo1 haf
once wagered against a kiss.
Mr.. Minot opened his eyes on Thurs
day morning with the uncomfortable
feeling that he was far from his be
loved New York. For a moment he lay
dazed, wandering in that dim border
land between sleep and waking. Their
suddenly he remembered.
ooh, yes. by jove,'' he muttered. "Ive
been Enigilted. Groom Of the back
stairs scandals and keeper of the roya
1ewels-that's me-"
He lifted his pillow. There on tn
white sheet sparkled the necklace o
which the whole British nobility wa
proud-Chain Lightning's collar. Som
eeventy-five blue-white diamonds, pea
shaped, perfectly graduated. His fo
the moment!
whats Harrowby up to, wonder
he reflected. 1.-The dear old top! Nice
pleasant little party If a policema
should find this In my pocket"
Another perfect day shone In tina
Narrow Spanish street. Up in Mammal
tan theatrical press agents were crown
ing huge piles Of snow with posters ar
nouncing the, attractions. Ferrie
were held up by ice in the river.
breeze from the arctic swept round til
Flatiron building. Here lazy summe
lolied ON the bosom of the town.
In the hotel dining room Mr.. Mino