The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-08-16


into your shirt, ehf l
guess you got scared and had the
stuff sent back. So, daddy buck. I
think you will come along with me
to the little accommodations the
city reserves for your kind Of peo-
Pile. The Jig is up with you. Come
"One moment, Chief" It was
flanagan again. Describe this
woman" he said to the bell-boy.
"She wore long fur coat. with
a heavy automobile veil pulled over
her hat and face. / could not see
her face"
Wasn't that rather peculiar
costume?"
II didn't think So" replied the
boy. Guests we're beginning to
60 to their machines from the
hotel. thought she was prepar-
ing to go to hers"
Leslie held a whispered confer
ence with Douglas. who left the
room hurriedly.
The Chief turned to Masters.
I'm sorry" he said, but I'll have
to ask you to come with me. When
we get this mysterious lady we'll
about have this case cleaned up.
think. I'll go to your rooms with
you while you change into your
regular clothes"
Masters stood as tho petrified.
you will, will your" he finally
managed to explode. We've had
about enough of this! Leave this
room! Get out OF here before you
are thrown out!" He advanced a
step, but, SO swiftly that the eye
could scarce follow the motion.
Leslie had twisted both OF Masters
wrists dexterously and there came
soft "click click" and Masters
stood manacled.
Into the electric atmosphere AL
lison's voice came. Here, Leslie,
here! Wen take care of that
thing ourselves! We don't want
any notoriety for anybody The
necklace is back, isn't It? Well,
we won't prosecute; that's all there
is to it. Take off those hand
cuffs"
But Leslie deigned no answer.
Miss Allison had jumped to her
feet. Release him!" she cried
imperiously. What have you to
arrest him on? The necklace is
here! Evidently some one was
playing a joke on me. 1t is all
here! What earthly reason have
case can you make in
court by arresting Mr.. Masters?
The law requires some sort of evil
dence against a prisoner, doesn't
It? And what In the world have
you got against him?"
This" Leslie answered, taking
one of the two pearls from his
pocket.
Miss Allison stepped forward for
the second time that night and ex-
amined it critically.
II have already told you 1t is
not NINE" she said.
"No? But how about this?"
Leslie held up the two dangling
ends of the necklace where they
hung about her neck. II was quite
evident that a pearl or two was
for nearly half inch of
the gold thread was exposed.
ut was broken" replied Miss
"and the thread simply
That is ALL" She lifted
the jewels from her neck and be-
gan to count them. Twice she
made the count before she spoke.
Then she announced triumphantly:
They are all here! I don't know
where those pearls came from!
They are all here--108 of them,
the entire string!"
"Is that number correctf" asked
turning to the father.
There was a seconds hesitation.
ITO the best OF my knowledge
and belief. yes" replied Allison.
"How many did you say?"
asked flanagan.
IT said 108," replied Miss ALI
son.
Leslie's eyes we're fairly glar-
ing. He stepped to Masters and
slipped a tiny key into the hand
cuffs, removing them.
For tonight, my daddy buck,
you're SAFE" he said grimly. But
watch your step, son; because I'm
right after you" He turned
an&rily and stalked from the
room; obviously taking the only
course open to him where the
parties to the theft refused DELHI
erately to identify the one piece
of evidence discriminating Masters.
And possibly the entire affair was
a hoax. But then-there was the
pearl on Chappie Carol. Thus
brooding, Leslie went about his
task. He would hang
to that case like a hound on a
trail. He did not give back the
two pearls he had.
81 want you to do me one favor
Mr.. Allison" said flanagan. after
the departure of Leslie. "Tele-
phone your house manager that
am to be given all the priv
leges l want in the hotel for the
next day OF two. l believe we
have not nearly gotten to the
bottom of this thing yet"
1T will be done-immediate-
ly," replied the megnats, and
stepped to the telephone TO give
his instructions. He was presi-
dent of the Allison Hotel Com
pany.
you certainly do not believe
with the police?" asked Masters.