Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-09-07
CHAPTER X.

CHAPTER X.
-11-
The silence was shOrt-lived; but
while 1t lasted a power of scorn
,layed like lightnings round the de-
voted head of the appraiser.
As for Lydia and Peter (who had
lust joined the group, they gaped IN
open amazement; while the inspector
Doked sorry for Charlie.
After lightning, thunder. remote,
naestoso. "Are-you-mad?"
"Me2 No, ma'am. not a bit. It's
aothing to me, you know"
Don't bubble, II you please.
want to know whether or not you're
Taft. You know perfectly we'll that
aecklace is worth ninety-sixty thou
land dollars. Look at the bill. In
,pector, be good enough to show this
person Cottier's BILL"
The appraiser examined the receipt
With ostensible establishment. II don't
understand this, ma'am," he faltered.
"Nor II"
'Cottier's don't deal in limitations.
!. know" he pursued with greater con-
idence. "All the same, I'll stake my
oh that those are fsh-skin pearls,
aste brilliants. and-well. the set
tngs, admit. are genuine"
"Then your Job is as good as lost.
shall file a complaint and have you
discharged for incompetence"
IF youll pardon me, don't be-
ieve you will, Mrs. Merrilees."
Easy. Betty" Peter Trait inter-
,osed. Perhaps he's right, after ALL"
BE quiet, Peter. When want your
,dvice, I'll let you know. Certainly
ought to know when / paid for that
.ollar-"
"Then you have been shamefully
heated, Mrs. Merrilees." the inspec-
or put in.
"Qulte impossible. know real
gems from articles de Paris, and ex-
mined this necklace with the great
sst care before purchased it. Since
hen 1t has never left this box, which
hasn't been out Of my care an instant
Except when in the purser's SAFE"
I'm sorry, but l know what !
tnow. II you're the Judge you think
Yourself, ma'am, can only suggest
hat you take this to the light and
here. I'll lend you my magnifying
glass;"
''Thank you. sha'n't require It,"
With a gesture Of rage, Mrs. Merri-
ees snatchcd the case from the ap-
anl %nx nd tho
patch of sunlight. Before she had
reached It, studying the collar atten-
lively on the way, Lydia saw her
,lacken pace and falter.
One short minute In that strong
glare sufliced. AS pale in mystifica-
don as she had previously been with
wrath. Mrs. Merrilees returned.
II owe you an apology" she In
formed the appraiser in a shaking
voice. TITS a palpable imitation"
The box slipped from her grasp and
vent to the floor with bump, spilline
ks trashy contents, and Mrs. Merri'
ees Topped incontinently to a con-
venient trunk -Lydia's ready arm
round her shoulders.
But, my dear" Betty walled. "It'f
perfectly preposterous
The appraiser looked at once bored
and dubious. Peter Trait batted be
xildercd eyes, then with a helpful all
picked up the box and replaced 1T
contents. The inspector swung sharp
y round and made of. with every evi
aence Of inspired haste. toward a dis
tant quarter of the pier.
Let me thinkw Mrs. Merrilees sale
In . stifed voice. Indenting her lowe
lip with a knuckle. she fastened al
distracted stare ON the polished tip
II her shoes.
Lydia, ut a loss, found nothing t
vay. She couldn't decently express
100 great concern over the disappear
ance Of something that had been dedl
Gated to her on her wedding day
however remote that event. Yet sh
vas gravely If unintelligibly dis
rfessed. Beneath her ready sympath
stirred qualm of peculiar uneasines
Distracted by the rumble Of men
voices, she looked up, to find tbs
Quoin had added himself to the grou
and was studiously attending to p
ter's account Of the counterfeit cola
Their eyos met presently. and Lydl
was surprised by the look he bent upo