Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-08-10
AUTHOR Of THE LONE
WOLF" THE BRASS
BOWL" ETC.
COPYRIGHT BIZ lOuL5 JOSEPH VANCE

erately, II don't mind telling you that
there's one piece l distinctly remem.
Der, on board this ship-a magnificent
sardonyx cameo"
"Truly?'
"Would you care to see it? Then
look!''
Mrs. Beggarstaff Enclosed her left
hand. In it's palm lay Miss Carteret's
brooch!
With wondering exclamation,
QuOin bent forward to examine the
cameo, while Mrs. Beggarstaff regard
ed with triumphant smile his bent
head. 1t was something to have star
tied the greatest living detective,
which was precisely the distinction the
keen-witted old woman accorded this
man.
'Take it to the light and have a
good look"
THANK you," said Quoin, rising in
stantly and moving forward to the
lighted cOmpahonway, where he lin
gered a long minute, intently inspect
ng the brooch with a small magnify
ing glass.
"Unquestionably one Of the missing
pieces" he declared fatty, returning,
1and, If I'm not mistaken, one of the
finest in the collection. How did you
come by it, please?"
"Its the property Of the young per-
son who shares my cabin; name, Lucy
Carteret. She's an American, about
twenty, and has lived abroad all her
life. Now she's going to New York to
join her father, who-she says-gave
her this on her fifteenth birthday"
"The question is, Who is Carteret
perez
"I'm not psychic" Mrs. Beggarstaf
objected. 1.-THE woods are full of Car
terets; but know none that this child
resembles In any way. Besides, she
has denied every relationship I've sug-
gested so far"
"But we mustn't forget that, when
found, this paternal Carteret will
probably prove to be a perfectly hon.
est bourgeois who picked up the cameo
casually in some out-of-the-way shop,
at home or abroad. I've often thought
that the widespread distribution Of
that loot might be taken as pretty good
evidence in support Of something I've
always cOntended was popular CHI
mera-the existence Of regular Or
ganizatiOn of social freebOOters. You're
gOing?" he added as Mrs. Beggarstaff
stirred and sat up, preparatory to ris-
Ing.
'The present owner of this bauble
Is asleep-and want to replace it
before she wakes up"
"One minute, if you don't mind. Per-
haps you can tell me something"
"On one condition" the old lady stip-
ulated firmly. "You must let me in
on the ground floor. I'll not lift my
hand to help you in anything that's a
mystery to me-"
II don't mind telling you in the least.
This isn't case-just simple curiosity
ON my part. Did you ever know any
body by the name of Hicks-Lorrimer-
in LOndonT
"Bless my income !" exclaimed Mrs,
Beggarstaff Indignantly. "No! Who
Is he-or she?"
II don't know; that's why asked
you-who know everybody. One ques-
ton more: What do you know about
your friend Mr.. Craven?"
''Tad Craven?" exclaimed the Dowa-
I1roo in
"What's he been doing?"
Nothing very desperate: only max
ing love to Mrs. Merrilees. Think
she'll marry him?"
Couldn't say. She's a flighty crea-
ture and Tad's tremendously amusing.
What concern is it of yours?"
"None whatever. You haven't told
me what you know about him."
''Why-Of course what the world
knows. He's an entertaining little
man who came out of nowhere to cheer
us up about fifteen years ago. Never
was heard of before one fine morning
when we all woke up to find he be-
lOnged. No money, so far as know
| VI just CAOuSll W CllttU1C I'LL W I1NC
| well without working too hard. Nova
days New York teens with just this
type of unaccountable persons-4-de-
cent, diverting, well-bred, and three
quarters idle. That's all-except I
like the man."
you never heard he was married. r
"He isn't!' Mrs. Beggarstaff exr
! claimed, dumfounded.
Il don't say SO. only wonder. OF
course, If you never heard he was mar
ried, you never suspected him Of hav-
ing daughter-you're too pure
minded"
''Thank you for nothing. What are
you driving at?'
"And If he hasn't a daughter, who
In thunderation is Lydia?''
"QuOin," said the Dowager Dragon
solemniy, Il warn you, IL you l-aep me
or tenterhooks another Instant
'Here you are, them" the detective
interposed hastily; 'but keep i. to
! yourself. Yesterday afternoon, when
was killing time in the wireless