South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-12

room and Sir Evan Cations had been recently
oiled from your side OF the door-oiled Witn
refined castor Oil-rehned castor oil used al
most exclusively by airmen for oiling their
machines. I knew that your brother was an
efficient air pilot. That lock was oiled from
your side OF the door in case your husband
should turn the key against you. It's deeply
set lock. To oil IL effectively. ! reasoned. an
amateur thief would use a long stin feather
OF some kind to Intricate H.
Il suspected you. and searched for the
feather. finding that one missing from a
tweed hat in your box
m order to get your husband away unsus
pecting the true state OF affairs I cut out
pane from one OF the windows"
Why" breathed the woman. fearfuIly.
Because ! had already deduced that the
theft OF the necklace plant 10 cover I'D A
previous theft. There were two urgent rea sOas
why the necklace should isappear-one that A
Paris expert was summoned to examine IT, and
the Other that the insurance policy was about
10 fall due. Taking these two facts in con
junction, I hazarded a guess that the necklace
had already been exchanged for a counterfeit
by you who had unQuestioned access 10 il. and
that you dared not let the counterfeit be sub
jected TO expert examination. Now. LADY
Cation, where is the counterfeit and where is
the originate"
Here is the COPY" said the woman. drawing
from the bosom OF her gown a sparkling set OF
Jewels.
Paste imitation" said Dun, looking at the
necklace shrewdly.
Il pledged the original some months ago"
breathed Lady Gallon. hoarsely with Man
ners of Picadilly. / got head over ears in debt
was afraid to confess 10 my husband Birney
knew nothing. He's a hot-headed youngster.
fond OF me in a perfectly straight way. | was
at my wits end when | heard my husband ring
ing up Scotland Yard. Afraid the police would
find out, deliberately put that ring in the bed.
room" She broke of pantingfy: then there
set up tigerish CLEAN in her deep-blue eyes.
Where is Evans? Why don't you tell him."
He's waiting for in my hoouse" said
Dun. slowly. Give me the contract note from
Manners. I'll redeem your necklace but Tn
not at all sure that shall be able by doing
TO cover up your treachery."
What do you mesn?" asked the crushed
woman fearfuly.
Before Birney left here" said Dun. no
took care TO destroy all evidences of his iden
tity. including marks on his clothing which
offers but one explanaton-sn attempt to com
nit suicide"
Lady Gallon uttered a Mortified mo-"
Il have done my best 10 forestall such
desperate act" said Duff. Il arranged with
friend OF mine-the editor OF the Evening
Mercury-to put in a paragraph relating .
the supposed burglary. proving that the theft
was the work Of wellknown hotel thief
whose finger prints we're found on the window
pane If by any chance Birney should see that
paragraph he Will delay his act of self-destruc
ton"
here's the contract note, said Lady Gallon.
producing a slip OF paper from the bosom OF
her gown, and here's the counterfeit necklace
/ pledged the real stones for a Thousand
pounds"
Fifteen minutes later Dun was drawing a
check for a thousand at his bankers in Pal
Mall. and yet another fifteen minutes later be
was receiving over Messrs. Manners counter
a diamond necklace
He reached his house In Coin Court TO find
Sir Evan Cation pacing restessy up and down.
Here your damondsi" said Duff spill
ing out a streaming fire of sparkling jewels
You'll hear from Birney in a day or two al
the latest. ] give you my word OF honor that
he is innocent. No use asking any questions
| absolutely refuse to answer"
But you must tell me how you found the
diamonds" persisted the bewildered man.
lingering the sparkling stones.
Il found them by process Of logical deduc-
tion," said Duff. setting his mouth in an iron
hard line.
And with that Sir Evan Gallon was forced to
be content
The following day he received a letter
marked Paris from Harold Birney. saying
that the latter had enlisted in the Foreign
Legion.
IF he is innocent OF the theft. wonder why
he did that?" said Sir Evan Cation with a
puzzled frown.
Cant think" said her ladyship, sweetly.