Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-08-10

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 general laugh as Craver
reappeared with a small dispatch boz
Of black metal.
"Mayn't I giggle too7" he inquired
plaintively, looking from face to fac.
ms he delivered the box to its owner.
mot worth repeating" his fiance,
reported, fitting a key into the lock
Il was merely swearing 1 meant to b.
good-when every blessed drop o.
blood in me cries out against the sin
full extravaganza of paying duty on
this! !"
Opening the dispatch box, she re
moved handsome jewel case O.
grained morocco, unlocked this in turn
and disclosed that same necklac,
which Quoin had just named, watch
ing with a smile Of gratified vanit!
the effect on her four friends.
At length, "Sixty thousand dollars?'
QuOin inquired listlessly,
my dear man, I do believe you'v,
seen the bill"
Smiling, the detective shook hi,
head.
worth half as much again." Mrs
Merrilees affirmed. "Cottier wante,
ninety"
"They seem perfectly matched,
Quoin pursued, knitting his brows
but I'd like to look at them In I
stronger light"
'Take them out into the sun, If 70,
like"
Craven sat forward in nervous i'm
patience. do be reasonable I" he ex
postulated. TITS sheer idiocy to hay
that thing up here at all, with Go,
knows who spying! And there ar
some queer fish aboard-eh, Quoin?
"Ratherl" the detective agree,
dryly.
please be advised" Craven urged
Lock that thing up again and let m
take 1t back to the purser."
'Tad. you're tiresome!" Mrs. Merrl
lees began.
But Quoin interrupted. "Craven
right"
"Oh. WE'LL II you will spoil every
thing. take all the fun out Of my SUI
prise"
"Surprise7' Peter echoed.
Mrs. Merrilees nodded emphatically
Look well at them, my friends; 70
the minute I get them through tn
customs, to safe deposit they 60 an
there remain" She paused deliberate
ly, with challenging smile.
"Why?" Peter demanded blank!
Don't you ever mean to wear ZEN
Betty"
She shook her head. They're nc
for me, Peter. II dared smuggl'
should wear them, just to be sass
about it. But since I don't dare,
mean to keep them for wedding pre-!
ent to my stepdaughter-if l ever hav
one" She closed the case with sna]
Lydia sat back with a little gasl
her eyes blank with confusion. Quot
| 1onOhnd odd hv.tn II, ~
glanced askance at Craven. This las
turned to his betrothed with a sta
tied gesture and lips that gaped. p,
ter Trait alone betrayed no abnorms
emotion. Grinning cheerfully, b
watched the two women, absorbed 1
each other-Lydia finding breat
enough for the protest, But, Mr.
Merrilees, you mustn't! ~ the other col
firming her intention with an emphatl
nod and the statement, "But I've mad
up my mind, dear; so you may as we
give me my head. Besides, you prom
Used always to call me Betty"
Locking the metal box, she ros
Come. Tad. I owe my appetite Nv
more laps round the deck before luncl
con. Peter, please take this back
the purser and get his receipt.
you're afraid, Lydiall go along to pr
tect you"
"What becomes Of me?" Quoin d,
manded with mock turbulence.
you're to walk the other side {
me-" the lady ordered imperiousl
''and help me make Tad behave
Craven breathed heavily. "Wheths
! like 1t or not" With last relu
tant glance at the treasure box, h
rose and somewhat sulkily prepare
to obey orders.