The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-08-08
EIGHTH EPISODE
The Price He Paid.

Spuux nelly cHtcttu ut stutC-
room and closed the door behind him.
The girl stood with iaer head just even
with q port-hole, and the morning sun
filled her beautiful blonde hair with
streaks Ms Of FURNISHED gold.
The Sphinx stood for a moment lean
Ing with his back against the door, ST.
lently admiring the beautiful girl. :.
Nervously' Kelly approached the task
he had set for himself.
sits very embarrassing for me to
do whnt duty compels." Then the
Sphinx hes3tated.
As II more deliberately to embarr ass
the detective, Pat stood silently gaI-
ing at him, her face radiant with
smiles.
"It's embarrassing" the Sphinx
was repeating himself In his confusion.
With an effort he finally biarted out: ::
II must search your rsom fer the
stolea pearls"
"You surprise me, Nr. Kelly" said
Pat assuming an austere Aeasea.sr.
while her eyes belled her manner N
their twinkles of mischief. "Whose
pearls do yoa expect - Aod here ea-
espt my ownr
"Ars. Phillips, - he boat deck, has
bssa Fs6eed q q string Of a1mOst fab
uloaaay precious pearls" ssid Kelly In
apologetle explaDatio0.
"And yoa expect to nnd them around
my neckr sajA Pat.
Il must search everywhere there II
Il Q possibility Of nnding them-and you
know. Aiss Montez, that have reason
to attribute almost any escnpade to
you"
This time, at all events. you are
wron&,~ said Pat. But to satisfy you
give full permission for you to search
anywhere, even without possessing any
warrant to Dc 60"
"Reaiiy yes are kind, Miss Montez," !"
was Keily's remark as he began look
ing about In places where the pearls
might be hidden.
1--WE will ha~e your baggage care
fully examined by the customs off,
cials-and we may have all the pas
sengers personally searched before
they 90 ashore. But fnd the pearls
/ must-it would be a great advertise
ment for me in America."
Nothing would be a greater source
Of pleasure to me than to provide you
with some good advertising as
have no method Of doing that, may
at least offer you q chocoiate7" the girl
replied. offering at the same time a
box Of sweets 10 the great detective.
THANK you. Miss Nontez-bat I've
Just had breakfast" and the Sphinx
resumed his search. Finally he came
upon \ bundle wrapped in blankets.
lying in q corner Of the stateroom.
whats thisT' said Kelly as he be
gan roughly disturbing the bundle.
But he was halted by a faint cry near
at hand-and by PATS sharp COM
mand:
"Be careful, sir. Don't be rough
you have found one OF the pearls, but
not the entire necklace
with a merry laugh Pat flung aside
the blanket disclosing the bsby she
had brought from the second cabin
and in resentment Of its rough treat
ment, the baby began to cry.
"See now what you have done, you
bad old detective" said Pat. "You
don't know how to handle pearl when
you ind one" and the girl soothed the
child. Kelly retreated toward the
door Of Pats stateroom.
Excuse me for disturbing you-but
I'll see you la,er." and with no little
embarrassment the detective withdrew.
The news was flashed to the customs
onicials by wireless and when the ship
halted at quarantine, several extra
omcials came on board and took charge
Of the investigation. Every stateroom
was searched, but to no avail.
The formalities Of passing Quaran-
tine, the inspection Of tickets and the
examination u the passengers were
completed. The steamship swept
n.jestically mp the North river to its
pier and just a. the first passengers
atnffad tn hurry down the gang plank,