New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-06-21

Miss Warren, or my old servant Jacobs
was carrying back the real thing OF
an imitation nevertheless, as he knew
the chances were n in three that he
had the right one, he would have died
rather than risk breaking faith with
Ane."
II a give you no explanation Of
the mystery" said Christopher. "Mr,
Van COrtlandt-who. l suppose, did not
even trust me with his real name-cOn.
tided not at all in me, therefore l had
no responsibility except to obey in.
structions. If l happen to guess that
you employed three messengers, each
II of whom was to bring back Gas he
thought) something from Amsterdam
and all of whom met by accident in the
same boat, l have absolutely nothing
to go upon except my own suspicious"
snow that you are here, in my court.
yard, there is no reason why ]
shouldn't confirm your suspicious" re.
piled Maritz, in a more cOnciliatOry
tone. "You ought to have with you
the New Koh-i-NOor, Of which you
must have heard. You see I have cause
for anxiety, and have had cause
enough ever since the truth about my
purchase of the finest diamond found
in a hundred years unfortunately
leaked out. l was certain that a we'll.
known gang of diamond thieves would
be on the lookout for the stone on Its
way back from Amsterdam, and l did
my best to guard 1t. 1t was my
nephew's idea to employ you and your
car. AS for giving you a false name,
he did nothing Of the sort. His middle
name Is Van COrtlandt-his last Is the
same as mine; though he has lived
much abroad, and, luckily for my prof.
ect, Is scarcely known here as yet. You
can see why he did not wish to give
his W name, Maritz, on account OF
the association. The mission was not
his own, but mine, though If he suc.
ceeded he was to be made my private
secretary, with such a salary as to
keep himself and a wife, If he chose to
lUAS NAico VuALCu, lOE luSluuCc
in luxury. Now you understand what
hung upon success. for him, and you
must see that he would not easily fail
me. If you are hiding anything be.
u you think you haven't been
treated fairly"
Christopher broke In with q protest,
when q loud clang at the gate-bell cut
him short.
"Keep everybody out I" cried Maritz.
"What if 1t is your nephew himself !"
exclaimed Christopher.
"Then let him in," amended the mas. |
ter of the house; and an instant later
the small gate at the side of the great
was opened to admit Van COrt.
landt-Maritz, with Miss Warren.
"Hurrah, uncle! !" cried the young
man. "We hired a motor and came on
like lightning after the rescue. Poor
old Jacobs was drugged on his
way to get the diamond, it seems,
and who but the notorious Tom Ashley
the trick and disguised himself
well l think even you would not
detected the fraud-so well he
was exactly like Jacobs photograph
which you showed me-and got the
But he's caught, and his three
and the diamonds in his
o%vercOat. This girl is the trump l told
you she would be. and her packet she
threw into the car, as Mr.. Race must
have told you"
"But yours-yours, Fan; that's what
want" almost painted the millionaire.
II stuffed 1t into the petrol tank
lust room to squeeze II in," said the
7Oung man calmly. Then, turning to
he girl, he caught her hand. "Won't
7Ou have a story to write?" he cried.
And 1t will have to end with our
Wedding"
"Forgive me for everything, Mr..
Race" said Peter Maritz. "YOu must
'Ome to that wedding"
(END OF SEVENTH EPISODE.)