The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-09-07

In lower tone he added, you're tn
best little diplomat ever. I'll be crate
ful as long as I live" And rising will
the sunniest of smiles, he drew III
chairs for Lydia and Quoin.
Yes, Mrs. Merrilees? the detective
inquired, taking the place at her side
Peter and l have been bickerin:
about you," the lady fibbed brazenly
Are you, or are you not, wasting YOU
brilliant talents on my devoted trail?'
Quoln looked puzzled. "Somethine
on your conscience?" he advanced ten
tatively. "You don't mean to try any
smuggling this trip, l hope"
Il can't make up my mind. I'd love
to. Are you interested?"
"Only in your interests. Be ad.
ivised-don't!"
why" Mrs. Merrilees pouted.
why not, If, as Peter would say, I
can get away with it"
IF for no more moral reason" said
the detective seriously, because it
can't be done. The customs people are
laying for you"
They'll be disappointed"
Don't deceive yourself. Every man
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 mind
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 Craven
reappeared with a small dispatch box
Of black metal.
"Mayn't giggle too?" he inquired
plaintively, looking from face to face
as he delivered the box to it's owner.
"Not worth repeating" his fiancee
reported, fitting key into the lock.
II was merely swearing 1 meant to be
good-when every blessed drop of
blood in me cries out against the sin
full extravaganza of paying duty on
this!"
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 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. if you
like"
Craven sat forward in nervous i'm
patience. do be reasonable" he ex-
postulated. "It's sheer idiocy to have
that thing up here at all, with God
knows who spyingl And there are
some queer fish aboard-eh, Quoin?"
"Ratherw the detective agreed
dryly.
"Please be advisedI" Craven urged.
'Lock that thing up again and let me
take it back to the purser."
'Tad, you're tiresomel" Mrs. Merri-
lees began.
But Quoin interrupted. Craven is
light"
"Oh, WE'LL If you will spoil every
hing, take all the fun out of my sur
PRISE"
"Surprise7" Peter echoed.
Mrs. Merrilees nodded emphaticaliy.
Look well at them, my friends; for
he minute 1 get them through the
ustoms, to safe deposit they go and '
here remain" She paused deliberate
Y, with a challenging smile.
"why?" Peter demanded blankly.
Don't you ever mean to wear 'em.
'ettyT'
She shook her head They're not I
or RE. Peter. If I dared smuggle, {
should wear them, just to be sassy {
bout it. But since / don't dare, &
lean to keep them for a wedding pres .
ut 70 my stepdaughter-if ever have q
ne" She closed TIE case with a snap. g
LYDIA sat back with a little gasp, ]
err eyes blank with confusion. Quoin s
Iughed ar odd, brief laugh. and G