Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-09-27

consciously, perhaps. he clutched the
edge of the tuble for support, and
again his left hand stole toward his
heart. "What's that you say? Smith!
What do you know about him1 What
has he to do with this?"
''If you'll listen to me"
Subsiding into chair Craven lis.
teped alphabetically and without inter-
ruption to his daughters succinct story
o8 tAe attack and robbery, Quoin's IN
prevention and recovery Of the puzzle
box.
She watched him as closely. Was
he merely acting againl What was
really working In the mind behind
those inscrutable eyes?
THAT'S all know" she concluded.
"How the card got into the box can't
say-unless this man Smith put 1t
there when he replaced the necklace At
Mr.. Quoin's direction. presume q
card sharper would have sleight Of
hand enough to do that unaffected"
ut couldn't be WORSE" said Craven
huskily, lingering the knave Of dia-
monds.
He rose, moved unsteadlly to the
center table, and helped himself to the
remainder Of the brandy.
"You should have told me first
thing" he mumbled.
IF you hadn't misled me. shouldn't
have hesitated nm instant, father; but
I WINS silly enough-it seems-to hope
that by saying nothing I might ward
of danger from you"
"Yes," he agreed simply. ut would
have been better II I'd told you the
truth. But then, Of course, you
wouldn't have consented to bring the
stuff in. And how was to know they
were watching me 20 closely7 How did
they guess I'd"
.They'r
He gave her a sullen glance. "Smith
and Colonel Gordon. Gordon's the
other crooks name-if Quoin forgot to
tell you. Curse it! Why didn't you
tell me this firstf'
"Why? What difference"
mo difference" he grumbled. TOO
late: now mischiers done!" He with>
drew into morose contemplation of the
knave Of diamonds.
"What have such men to do with the
secret service?" Lydia demanded ab-
ruptly.
with the-ah-secret service?" He
looked up blankly. "Why-nothing
whatever! What makes you ask?"
''Then what were they after when
they attacked me? Not tle evidence
you talked aboutT'
my dear child! What do you sup.
pose? What but the lOot-that neck.
lace? They've been hot on Betty's
trail from the moment 1t became
known she had bought the thing from
Cottier's."
"You confuse me sol" Lydia protest.
ed in bewIlderment. IF they weren't
connected with the secret service, If
II you had nothing whatever to do with
them, why are you SO afraid Of them r
III But-my dear child" Craven
said indulgently, "you're quite mis-
taken. I'm no more afraid of them
than of-well-say Mr.. Collector
Loeb"
Seated across the table from him
resting her elbows upon 1t, Lydia re
garded her father with an expression II
which were blended amazement, stupe
faction, misery and uncertainty.
II Craven read her look, he refused
to acknowledge 1t. With an air Of
thorough satisfaction he rose and. tax
/, Ing up the puzzle box. shut 1t with {
snap, It's treasure undisturbed.
i Her eyes followed the puzzle box
/, which Craven was clipping into thu
side pocket Of his coal, with an expires
sion he was quick to interpret.
/, '.This goes to Betty Merrilees 10 fas,
as 4 taxicab can take It," he an
nounced promptly. "In fact, stoppet
In only to get 1t on my way uptown"
"rm glad Of that" said Lydia. list
lessly tracing an empty pattern on tn,
table.
III I'm late, don't fret about me
please. I'm quite all right now
Chances arc cha,nst have anofhp,