Evening star., 1918-01-20

.all I wanted and expected. When I
have more news to tell I'll write. Good
day for the present"
Before Harcourt could reply Mr.. Beck
was out of the room and down the
stairs, and the hanson which he had
kept waiting whirled him away at
headlong speed.
Scarcely five minutes had passed since
he disappeared down one side Of the
street when another hanson. driven
at the same rapid pace. came tearing
up the other Lillian and Sydney had
not fully recovered from their sur
prise at Mr.. Becks abrupt departure
when second knock came to the
door. and Tomlinson entered again with
time:
Mr. Paul Beck
Private Detective
Harcourt started, and Lillian uttered
a little cry.
'The same man. Tomlinson?"
'The same, sir; 1eastways he seems a
very absent-minded gentleman. Any
one been here for the last ten min
utes?' he said breathless-like, when I
opened the door. You was. sir said.
not five minutes ago. oh. was II
says he, with queer kind Of a laugh.
that's quick and no mistake. Am I
here now?' OF course you are, SIR 1
said. looking at him hard. but he
seemed no way in liquor; there you
did l go away at all?' Fast as han
som could carry you. SIR l said. hu-
moring him: for he was as serious as a
Judge. and seemed quite put out to
hear he had gone away in a hanson.
That's bad. that's bad he said; ten
is no help for it Take this card to
Mr.. Harcourt' Shall l show him up,
sire"
"Of course"
MIR. Paul Beck, sir
Therr was slight, indescribable
change i'll the manner Of Mr.. Reck as he
now entered the room He was Tess fur
tive and less abrupt in his movements.
and NE seemed no longer anxious to
keep his back to the light
You are back very soon. Mr.. Beck"
said Harcourt; have YOU got a clue?"
II wish | had come five minutes soon
err" said Mr.. Beck. his voice quite
changed. Tn afraid l have lost a clue.
I have lost the clue. in fact, and ] must
set about finding it. Where is the jewel
case?
why. gave it to you not ten min
utes ago.
ITO me-" began Mr.. Beck. and then
stopped himself with . queer smile that
was half a erimace. "oh, yes, you gave
it to me. Wen, and what did I do with
it,"
You put IT in your pocket. Mr.. Beck.
and carried it away.
WAS | in a hurry
you were in "A great hurry
WAS l dressed as ! am now''
EXACTLY
And looked the same2''
Precisely"
and ! kept my back to the light. I
warrant
Your memory IS wonderful"
Il have the honor to wish you very
good morning. Mr.. Harcourt, and you
also, miss There was Z touch of ad-
miration in his voice as he addressed
Miss Lillian.
"Oh, sgd" she cried. as the door
closed behind him. isn't it just thrill
ing. There never was such mixed
up-mvstery. do wonder which is the
right Mr. Beck
Which, of course they are both the
. same Mr.. Beck"
Meanwhile Mr.. Beck was being driven
as fast as hanson could carry him
back to Mr. Ophir's, in Bond street.
He found the eminent jeweler in his
little glass citadel at the back OF his
glitterins warehouse.
"Well2" he said, when Mr.. Beck step
ped into the little glass room. closing
the door carefully behind him.
Well" responded the detective, Il
think I have clue. 1 can make fair
guess who has the diamonds. Who made
the new case for you?"
Hem-ah-Mr. Sm1thson, one OF the
most competent and reliable men in
the trade. He has done all our work
for the last twenty lears. 1t was very
finely finished case indeed"
who brought it here?"
"One of Mr.. Smithson's workmen
"I think you told me this man saw
you put the diamonds into the case. and
seal them up for Mr.. Harcourt?"
"Yes. He was standing only a few
yards off at the time. There were two
nf
by, IL you would care to examine them
THANK you Mr.. Ophir. I d0n't want te