Williams news., 1917-11-15

abruptly to turn and examine the deputy with the eye of disfavor. ''Yes? ?' she asked brusquely.
 The deputy introduced himself. 'The inspector has just informed me of this And I thought might possibly be able to help straighten it out.''
 ''Kind of you, I'm sure." But the tone of Mrs. Merrilees completely be- lied this statement. "Have you any thing to propose?"
 eff I might have the privilege of a word in private" the deputy suggest, ed blandly.
 Quoin made as if to withdraw.
 . 'Wait, please. This is MT. Quoin. You may have heard of him..
 'Who hasn't?" the deputy returned pleasantly. "Proud to meet you, sir''
 'Mr. Quoin has kindly volunteered to help me in this-outrage. Anything you wish to say he may hear."
 .''As you please, madam, but" The glance of the deputy veered significant ly to Peter and Lydia.
 "No!' Mrs. Merrilees insisted warm ly. "YOu can have nothing to say that any of my friends may not hear."
 ''Then, madam-permit me to advise you, in all deference-" "Well?''
 "It will save you a great deal of | trouble to produce the original collar, pay the duty on it, and-'' "QuoinI I' Betty exclaimed in a tone of irritated perplexity. 'What can this person mean?"
 Quoin was silent,
 "I don't mean," the deputy pursued, unabashed, "to be offensive; but-the inference is unavoidable. You are known to have purchased a valuable pearl collar in Paris-''
 'I believe declared it r' 'But upon examination you produce only comparatively worthless imita- ton, and assert that you have been robbed of the origina1.''
 q assert! I have asserted nothing" Mrs. Merrilees drew a long breath, closed her teeth with a vindictive snap, and reopened them to observe with whitening distinctness, "Go awayI You are insolentl You presume you annoy me! Do go-before I forget my self!''
 ''We can't assess an imitation at the value of the real necklace, of course and yet we know that the original is coming into this country by this boat"
 '"Then permit me to recommend the other passengers to your attention"
 "We'H do our best to overhaul them all, I promise you. But if the goods don't turn up, we'll feel reluctantly compelled to make a thorough search, not only of your luggage but of your self as well. Mrs. Merrilees."
 "Quoin !'' Mrs. Merrilees appealed
 The investigator shook his head ''It's too baG;. but I really don't see what's to be done about it. These peo- pie have the power to make things mighty unpleasant for you unless-'
 "What, you too?" she hissed, with vast dramatic expression.
 "No, mol" Quoin protested hastily. Don't misunderstood me. I'm only afraid that, unless the necklace shows up, you'll have to submit.''
 s'Very well i'' With a shrug of de- fance, Mrs. Merrilees showed Quoin an ungra 'ious back. To the deputy she added with blighting disdain, "Go. ahead. And while you're finding noth- ing in my trunks you may as well send for female inspector to search me. But every one of you will suffer for this-or I'll know the reason why!'
 ''Im sorry, madam"
 But there wasn't much uneasinesS | betrayed in the deputy collectors man. ner as he signed to the inspector to do | his hateful duty.
 The three friends of Mrs. Merrilees, | on the other hand, were acutely uncom- in disgrace, Peter | Trait firmly convinced that the deputy | was right and consequently afraid to | meet Betty's eyes, and Lydia not only | sore distressed with misgivings, but re- | pelled by Betty's attitude.
 And this was the phase of the affair | disclosed to Craven when he hustled | up, aglow with satisfaction.
 Hello, people! I'm all clear. Had | the deuce of time-the silly ass want ed to rock me for duds brought in as long ago as 1908; but Whats the row?''
 This last was in a tone radically changed, and at the same instant his fancee decided to acknowledge him on probation, however rigidly she might elect to deny the rest of humanity. So she unbent enough to beckon him with nod; and Craven hurried on to get his answer from the one most con- cerned.