Williams news., 1917-11-29
"Why2 What difference-r

drew into morose contemplation of the knave of diamonds. "What have such men to do with the secret service?" Lydia demanded ab- | ruptly.
 With the-ah-secret service?" He looked up blankly. "Why-nothing | whatever! What makes you ask?" ''Then what were they after when they attacked me? Not the evidence you talked about?'' My dear child! What do you SUD- pose? What but the loot-that neck lace? They've been hot on Betty's trail from the moment it became known she had bought the thing from Cottier's."
 'You confuse me sol" Lydia protest ed in bewilderment. eff they weren't connected with the secret service, if if you had nothing whatever to do with them, why are you so afraid of them?" "I? But-my dear child," Craven said indulgent1y, you're quite mis- taken. I'm no more afraid of them than of-well-say MT. Collector Loeb.''
 Seated across the table from him, resting her elbows upon It, Lydia re garded her father with an expression in which were blended amazement, stupe- faction, misery and uncertainty. If Craven read her look, he refused to acknowledge it. With an air of thorough satisfaction he rose and, talk ing up the puzzle box, shut 1t with a snap, its treasure undisturbed. Her eyes followed the puzzle box, which Craven was slipping into the side pocket of his coat, with an express sion he was quick to interpret.
 "This goes to Betty Merrilees as fast as a taxicab can take it," he an- nounced promptly. ''Ip fact, I stopped in only to get it on my way uptown"
 "Im glad of that" said Lydia, list 1essly tracing an empty pattern on the table.
 "f I'm late, don't fret about me, please. I'm quite all right now. Chances are I sha'n't have another turn like tonight's in several"
 A knock sounded on the door. He broke off with start, and for half a minute stood moveless and silent, his mouth ajar, his eyes transfxed; then, recollecting himself, he said almost nonchalantly
  body for me, say I'm out"
 As Lydia rose he swung sharply back into his bedchamber. When she turned back from the door she saw him poised alertly just within the threshold, his right hand buried in his coat pocket. "A note for you-wants an answer. The bellboy's waiting." With a nervous gesture Craven ad- | T.: breath quickening and brows clouding as he conned the superscription-his name in ink and the room number in blue pencil. But for several seconds he seemed to hesitate. Then abruptly he ripped it open.
 And this time he seemed to have l been prepared; for he manifested no untoward emotion when he drew from the envelope a single playing card, the knave of clubs.
 Drawing a deep breath, which might have been sigh of relief, Craven de | liberately tossed the card face upward on the table, 'You'H notice a pin puncture in the stem of the club, be- heath the small J." he observed coolly. '"That means one of my agents, on urgent business"
 ''Ill stay in my room with the door shut,' Lydia volunteered.
 "No-wasn't thinking of that: mere ly wondering if you could. You see, I'm likely to be detained by this chap cant tell how long," He consulted his watch, frowning. "After ten now I can't well call on Betty much later. How would you like to take taxi to the Margrave, and give her this con- founded collar?''
 He could have made no suggestion more shrewdly calculated. In breath Lydia's countenance frightened and her eyes grew animated.
 "Oh. if I may!''
 'sWhy not? You'll be perfectly safe. It's no great distance, nobody knows you have the collar, and Betty'll be glad to see y.u. You might stop with her till call for you-if you don't mind being made an excuse of"
 "Yes," she agreed, breathless. 'T'll be glad.''
 ''Then jump into your hat and coat and Half minute I wonder would you mind running another errand for me?"
 Of course not.'
 "It's, only a few blocks out of your way, and won't delay you longer than to deliver a note and get an answer. I'll write the note now-two lines will do."
 "Fll hurry" Lydia promised, dashing off into her bedchamber.
 When she returned, ready for the street, Craven was folding down the flap of an envelope blank save for the figures in ink, "9S." "I'm suppressing the address, he said, smiling mysteri-