Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-09-13

4
Quoin made rs II to withdraw.
wait, please. This is Mr.. Quoin.
You may have heard Of him."
"WhO hasnt?" the deputy returned
pleasantly. proud to meet you, SIR"
] MIR. Quoin has kindly volunteered
to help me In thls-outrage. Anything
you wish to say he may hear"
"As you plense. madam. but" The
glance Of the deputy veered significant.
~ to Peter and Lydia.
: "No" Mrs. Merrilees insisted warm
". "You can have nothing to say that
any Of my friends may not hear"
Then. madam-permit me to advise
| you. in all Difference"
"Well?"
! 1T will save you a great deal Of
trouble to produce the original collar,
/ pay the duty on 1t, and"
"Quoin" Betty exclaimed in tone
Of irritated perplexlty. "What can this
, person mean?"
| QuOin was silent.
Il don't mean." the deputy pursued,
unabashed, ito be offensive; but-the
inference Is unavoidable. You are
known to have purchased valuable
pearl collar in Paris"
Il believe declared it,"
"But upon examination you produce
only a comparatively worthless imita-
ton, and assert that you have been
robbed of the original"
Il assert! have asserted nothing"
| Mrs. Merrilees drew long BREATH
! closed her teeth with vindictive snap,
and reopened them to observe with
whitening distinctness, "Go away! You
are insolent! You presume-oh, you
annoy me! Do go-before forget N.Y.
self"
I'VE 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"
well do our best to overhaul them
all. promise you. But II the goods
don't turn up. wen feel reluctantly
compelled to make thorough search,
not only Of your luggage but of your
self as we'll. Mrs. Merrilees."
"Quoin" Mrs. Merrilees appealed.
The Investigator shook his head.
TITS too bad; but really don't see
what's to be done about 1t. These peO-
pie have the power to make things
mighty unpleasant for you unless"
"What, you too?" she Kissed, with
vast dramatic expression.
mo, mol" Quoin protested hastily.
"Don't misunderstood me. I'm only
afraid that, unless the necklace shows
up, you'll have to submit"
"Very WE'LL" With shrug Of de-
finnce, Mrs. Merrllees showed Quoin
an ungrucious back. To the deputy
she added with bllghting disdain, "Go
ahead. And while you're finding moth
Ing in my trunks you may Us we'll 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. Merrllees,
on the other hand, were acutely uncom-
fortable-Quoin 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-
PEELED 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 n time-the silly ass want
ed to rock me for buds I brought in us
ong ago as 1908; but What's the
rOw?'
This last was in a tone radically
changed. and ut the same instant his
finncee 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
Q nod; and Craven hurried on to get
his answer from the one most con-
ccrned.
\
back to Lydia and Peter. "a bad bush.
1ess!" he doubted in an untlcrtone-
wagging his head. "Bctty's played the
game strnight as die this trip: but
nothing on earth will make these peo-
pie believe that. after the way she's
carried on in the Fast. Looks like an
all-duy sessiOn-nO good your sticking
round: nothing either of you can do.
Quoin and l will stand by Betty; but
you'd better cut along. You won't mind
dropping Lydia at the Great Eastern
hotel, Peter?"
"No-I won't precisely what you
might call mind" Peter declared,
Frightening.
II engaged rooms by wireless yester-
day. It'll take day or two. you know,
to readjust my diggings to receive
daughter. Now clear out-like good
children!"
Lydia bade hurried farewells Giving
QuOin her hand, she hoped he wouldn't