Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-08-07

Don't deceive yourself. Every mar
on the force knows it was your agent
who secretly purchased that three-hun.
dred thousand franc pearl-and-dia.
mond collar at Cottier's in Paris"
but I've quite made up my mine
never to stoop to anything so truly
low as smuggling"
Over this virtuous protestation Mrs
Merrilees pursed prim lips belied by
dancing eyes; then broke down and
Joined In a general laugh as Craven
reappeared with small dispatch box
of black metal.
"Mayn't l giggle too?" he inquired
plaintively, looking from face to face
as he delivered the box to Its owner.
mot worth repeating" his fiancee
reported, fitting a key into the lock.
Il was merely swearing l meant to be
good-when every blessed drop OF
blood In me cries out against the sin.
ful extravaganza of paying duty on
this I"
Opening the dispatch box, she re-
moved a handsome jewel case OF
grained morocco, unlocked this In turn
and disclosed that same necklace.
which Quoin had just named, watch.
Ing with a smile of gratified vanity
the effect on her four friends.
At length, "Sixty thousand dollars?"
Quoin inquired listlessly.
My dear man, do believe you've
seen the bill !"
Smiling, the detective shook his
head.
Worth half as much again." Mrs.
Merrilees affirmed. "Cottier wanted
ninety"
They seem perfectly matched"
Quoin pursued, knitting his brows
but I'd like to look at them In a
stronger light"
Take them out into the sun, IL you
like"
Craven sat forward in nervous i'm.
patience. DO be reasonable" he ex.
postulated. Its sheer idiocy to have
that thing up here at all, with God
knows who spying And there are
some queer fish aboard-eh, Ouoin?"
"Ratherl" the detective agreed
dryly.
please be advised |" Craven urged,
Lock that thing up again and let me
take 1t back to the purser."
Tad, you're tiresome" Mrs. Merri.
lees began.
But Quoin interrupted. "Craven is
right"
"Oh, WE'LL II you will spoil every.
thing, take all the fun out of my sur.
prise"
"Surprise?" Peter echoed.
Mrs. Merrilees nodded emphatically.
Look well at them, my friends; fol
the minute I get them through the
customs, to safe deposit they go and
there remain" She paused deliberate
ly, with challenging smile.
"Why?" Peter demanded blankly
Don't you ever mean to wear 'em
Betty?"
She shook her head. They're moi
for me, Peter. If l dared smuggle
l should wear them, just to be sassy
about it. But since 1 don't dare, II
mean to keep them for a wedding pres
ent to my stepdaughter-if ever have
one" She closed the case with snap
Lydia sat back with little gasp
her eyes blank with confusion. Quoin
laughed an odd, brief laugh, and
glanced askance at Craven. This last
turned to his betrothed with a star
tied gesture and lips that CAPPED. Pc
ter Trait alone betrayed no abnormal
emotion. Grinning cheerfully, hi
watched the two women, absorbed IL
each other-Lydia finding breath
enough for the protest, "3ut, Mrs
Merrilees, you mustn't - the other con,
firming her intention with an emphatic
nod and the statement, but I've made
up my mind, dear; so you may as wei
give me my head. Besides, you prom
ised always to call me Betty"
Locking the metal box, she rose
Come, Tad. / owe my appetite five
more laps round the deck before lunch |
con. Peter, please take this back tc |
the purser and get his receipt. II
you're afraid, Lydia1l go along to pro
tect you"
'What becomes of me?" Quoin de |
manded with mock turbulence.
You're to walk the other side OF |
me-" the lady ordered imperiously |
"and help me make Tad behave"
Craven breathed heavily. whether |
/ like it or not" With last reluc |
tant glance at the treasure box, he
rose and somewhat sulkily prepared
to obey orders.