The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-12-07

Don't deceive yourself. Every man
on the force knows 1t 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 q general laugh as Craven
reappeared with q small dispatch box
OF black metal.
"Mayn't giggle too7" 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 I meant to be
good-when every blessed drop of
blood in me cries out against the sim
full extravaganza Of paying duty on
thisl"
Opening the dispatch box. she re-
moved q 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 dollars7"
Quoin inquired listlessly.
my dear man, I 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"
Quon pursued, knitting his brows !;
"but I'd like to look at them In
stronger light"
Take them out into the sun. II 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. Quoin?'
"Rather" the detective agreed
hryly.
please be advised!" Craven urged.
Lock that thing up again and let me
take 1t back to the purser."
Tad, you're tiresome I" Mrs. Merrl-
lees began.
But Quoin interrupted. "Craven is
right"
"Oh, well II you will spoil every
| thing, take all the fun out of my sur
prise"
"surprise7" Peter echoed.
Mrs. Merrilees nodded emphatically.
Look well at them, my friends for
the minute I get them through the
customs, to safe deposit they go and
there remain" She paused deliberate
ly, with challenging smile.
"WhyT Peter demanded blankly.
Don't you ever mean to wear 'em,
Betty?"
She shook her head. They're not
for me, Peter. II 1 dared smuggle,
should wear them, just to be sassy
about it. But since l don't dare,
mean to keep them for wedding pres
ent to my stepdaughter-if I ever have
one" She closed the case with a 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 q star
tied gesture and lips that gaped. Pc
ter Trait alone betrayed no abnormal
emotion. Grinning cheerfully, he
watched the two women, absorbed in
each other-Lydia finding breath
enough for the protest, But, 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 well
give me my head. Besides, you prom
ised always to call me Betty"
Locking the metal box, she rose.
Come. Tad. I owe my appetite five
more laps round the deck before lunch
con. Peter, please take this back to
the purser and get his receipt. If
you're afraid, Lydiall go along to pro-
tect you"
What becomes Of me?" QuoiD de-
manded with mock turbulence.
You're to walk the other side of
me-" the lady ordered imperously,
land help me make Tad behave"
Craven breathed heavily. "Whether
I like it or not" With q last reluc-
tant glance at the treasure box, he
rose and somewhat sulkily prepared
to obey orders.