The Pensacola journal., 1917-08-14

would never do to betray even nerv-
BUSINESS before him.
Your friend. Miss Carr" shot out
Drummond with brutal directness. /
has been caught again, She fell into
something as neatly as If she had
really meant to do it. Yesterday, You
know, Trimble's advertised the new
diamond, the Arkansas Queen, on eN-
nibition Well, it was made of paste.
anyway. But it was a perfect imitation
But that didn't make any difference.
We caught Kitty just now trying to lift
it. I'm sorry it wasn't the other one.
But small fry are better than none,
Wen get her. too. yet. Besides. I find
this Kitty has a record already at
Stacy's."
He added the last words with a taunt-
ing sneer. Constance realized suddenly
the truth. The whole affair had been a
plant Of Drummond's'
You are at TrimbIe So" she inquired
quickly. We'll. can YOU wait there just
a few minutes? I'd like to see Miss
Carr"
Drummond promised. His acquiescence
in itself boded no good. but nevertheless
she decided to go. AS she left her apart
mond hurriedly she picked up the little
instrument and dropped 1t into her hand
bag.
You see, it's no use" almost choTtled
Drummond as Constance stepped off the
elevator and opened the door to a little
room at Trimble's much like that which
she had already seen at Stacys. "A
shoplfter becomes habitual after TWEEN
ty-five They get to cOnsorting with
others Of their kind"
Kitty was sitting rigidly motionless in
a chair, staring straight ahead, as Con-
stance entered. She gave a start at the
sight of a familiar face, rose, and would
almost have tainted if Constance had
not caught her. It seemed as II some
thing had snapped in the girls makeup
For the first time tears came Constance
patted her hand softly. The girl was
an enigma. Was she a clever actress
one minute hardened Miss Sophisticated,
the next appealing Miss Innocence
How did you-catch her." asked Con
stance moment later as she found an
! opportunity to talk to Drummond alone.
"Oh, she was trying to substitute a
/ paste replica for the alleged Arkansas
| Queen The clerk noticed the replica In
/ time saw a little spot OF carbon On it
and she was shadowed and arrested just
| as she was leaving the store Yes, they
! found the other paste jewel on her. She
was caught with the goods
| Replica" repeated Constance. think
| ing Of the picture that had appeared in
! the papers the night before, How could
| she get replica Of it,
! How do 1 know" shrugged Drum
Constance looked him squarcly in the
| eyes.
What about Annie Graysonc" she
asked pointblank,
Il have taken care of that" he replied
Iharshly. she is already under arrest
and from what I have heard We may
get something on her now. We have n
use it against her friend. We're Just
about taking her to the flat to identify
the Grayson woman. Would YOU like to
come along?" he added in a spirit OF
bravado. Il think you are a material
witness in the Stacy case. anyhow"
Constance felt bitterly her defeat Stiu
she went with them. There was always
a chance that something might turn up.
AS they entered the door Of the kitrh-
enette loud voices told them that some
one was disputing inside.
Drummond strode in.
The sight of a huge pile Of stuff that
two strange men had drawn out Of draw
ers and closets and stacked on the table
riveted ConstanCe's eyes Only dimly she
could hear that Annie Grayson was VIC
Iently threatening Drummond, who stoOC
coolly surveying the scene.
The stuff on the table Was. in fact
quite enough to dazzle the eyes There
were articles of every sort and desCrip
tion there-silks, Iaces, jeweIry anc
trinkets, little antiques, even rare books
everything small and portable some o.
the richest and most exquisite, others o
the cheapest and most tawdry. 1t was
truly remarkable collection. which tn,
raiding detectives had brought to light
AS Constance took in the scenc-tht
raiding detectives holding the stormy
Annie Grayson at bay. Brummond, cool
superclious, Kitty almost on the edge oil
! cOllapse-she wondered how Jim GraySor
had managed TO slip through the mcsho.
of the net.
She had read of such things. Annie
Grayson was to all appearances a fence
for stolen goods. This was perha ps 2
school for shoplfters. In addition 10 hoi
other accomplishments. the queen Of tho
shoplfters was a "FaRiu." educating
others to the tricks of her trade. takinl
advantage Of their lack Of facility in dis
posing Of the stolen goods.
Just then the woman caught sight o
Constance standing in the doorway. II
1 an instant she had broken loose and raI
= toward her
}. What are YOU" she hissed. "one O
. these department store Mou Dicks. too o.
Quick as a flash Kitty Carr had lcapc,
to her feet and placed herself betweer
e them.
. NO. Annie. no. She was a real frient
e of mine. No-if your own friends haC
4 been as loyal as she was to me this woul,
never have happened-I should never
have been caught again. for I shoulc
% never have given them a chance to ge
Y It on me"
. Little fool" ground out Annie Gray
i son raising her arm.
t "Here-here-ladies, interpospd Drum
mond, protruding an arm between tn
= two. and wlnking sarcasticaIIy to tn
y two other men. None Of that. We shall
, need both Of you In our business. "
no objection to your talking; but cut on
the rough stuff"
, Constance had stepped back. She va
= cool, cool as Drummond. although sh
. knew her heart was humping like
sIedge- hammer. There was Kitty Carr
in a revuIsion Of feeling. her hand
u pressed tightly to her head again. as IL /
= We're bursting. She was swaying as i
/ she would faint.
4 Constance caught her gently about tn
T waist and forced her down on the couc
- where she had been lying the night be