Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-09-21

Il c0uld swallow the diamonds my
SELF" said |, "a good deal easier than l
can swallow this story, and I'd like to
know what Slower swallowed before
he dreamed 1t. Somebody must have
invented a new drug"
"Oh, no." said Jarvis. There's no
doubt about It,"
l turned to Miss Leyland and begged
her to wait for me in the hanson.
I gained admittance to the inspec-
tors room, and, though it was q murky
place wherein l could not at first dis
tinguish one man from another, l saw
side the steam heater, shivering and
growing, while a square toed customs
man In a blue pea jacket was holding
the beast by a chain.
"Ah, DOCTOR" said this fellow, there's
the pup! Looks pretty sick already.
don't you Think"
where is Mr.. Stover7" I asked, and
his chief subordinate replied that he
was gone.
"But there's the dog" he added.
you know what's wanted, l suppose? ?"
"Not exactly" l replied.
Here's d memorandum" and he
gave me a bit of paper on which Sto-
yer explicitly demanded the inmost Sc
crets of the unfortunate animal, which
was now rubbing his head affectiollate-
ly against my Sims. The report must
be ready by 3 o'clock.
l said that / would communicate
with Slower before proceeding to ex-
tremities. but the subordinate declared
that nobody knew where he was.
81 can report right now to you" l be-
gan, but the man raised protesting
hands.
." don't know a thing about the
case," he said.
With that he tool the chain and put
it into my hand.
Miss Leyland welcomed the dog with
the most affectionate demonstrations.
isn't he q beauty" she exclaimed.
81 must take him aboard Ship" said
I. "But first I'll put you into your
hanson. Amy"
Indeed you won't" said she, with
spirit. II shall stay and save the dog
We went aboard the steamer attend
ed by Jarvis and followed by a cus
toms detective, who evidently had his
orders. l led them to my consulting
loom, and we three entered, while the
detective remained outside.
"And now said Amy when we were
seated, what do you mean to do?"
what can l doY" said I. "This poor
creature has been put into my hands
in mercy, so that he may not suffer
pain. 1t was probably done at the
captains suggestion, for he is that sort
Of man, and he and Slower are great
friends
"But, Dick" protested Amy, you
don't really mean to say that you'll
do this awful thing?"
Suppose don't do it, Amy" said l
as gently as possible. "How will that
help the doggie? The captain won't
like it. We nAay have an unpleasant
scene, for he's a man who likes to be
obeyed. 1 may lose my position. And
meanwhile Dennis will die just the
same"
"But you said yourself that the idea
was absurd" she exclaimed.
amy" said l, there are no more
diamonds In our friends little stomach
than there are In my pocket"
"Then why can't you say SOP
81 will when Slower comes" l re-
piled. "And If he is satisfied
HE won't be-" said Jarvis, who al
ways knows everything. Hell raise
a row, and nothing on earth can save
Dennis then. Slower has his theory of
this case, and he's the most obstinate
mule that ever kicked with all four
feet in a bunch"
"You have a glimpse of the mans
character" said 1, but you are en-
tirely wrong as to his present opinion.
This, case is deeper than you think. 1t
is perfectly clear to me that the dog
theory is not Stover's. If it were he'd
be here to see the thing through. 1t
is the theory of some rival. and Slower
wants to make the man ridiculous"
you've hit it.'' cried Jarvis, very
much to my surprise, for he is a dis
pu%tatious animal, yet keen in a way.
"And now I'll tell you what We must
do. Well save Dennis yet"
At this Amy gave him such a look or
confidence that my spine grew old
"Just make your report" continued
Jarvis. "I hereby certify that l have
made a thorough examination of the
bull terrier, Dennis, and that he con-
tains no diamonds Sign your name
to it,
"But, my DEAF fellow
"You know it's true, don't you? You
know it'll satisfy Slower? Well, then,
what's the objection?"
Really" said Amy, 81 don't see why
you can't. It's perfectly true, as Dud-
ley says. And if Mr.. Slower already
knows it he'll make no fuss, of course
Besides" said Jarvis, "Stover IL find