The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-01-04

she asked brusquely.
The deputy introduced himself. ''The
inspector has Just informed me Of this
l-er-unfortunate matter" he pursued.
"And thought might possibly be able
to help straighten 1t out"
Kind Of you. I'm sure" But the
tone Of Mrs. Merrilees completely be
lied this statement. Have you any
thing to propose?'
III might have the privilege of a
word In private" the deputy suggest
ed blandly.
Quoin made as II to withdraw.
"Wait, please. This Is Mr.. Quoin
You may have heard Of him."
"Who hasn't?" the deputy returned
pleasantly. Proud to meet you. SIR"
"Mr. Quoin has kindly volunteered
to help me in this-outrage. Anything
you wish to say he may hear"
"As you please. madam, but" The
glance of the deputy veered significant
ly to Peter and Lydia.
moi" Mrs. Merrilees insisted warm
ly. You can have nothing to say that
any Of my friends may not hear"
Then, madam-permit me to advise
you, in all Difference"
"Well?"
ut will save you a great deal OF
trouble to produce the original collar.
pay the duty on 1t. and
"Quoin!' Betty exclaimed in a tone
Of irritated perplexity. what can this
person mean?"
Quoin was silent.
II don't mean" the deputy pursued,
unabashed, ito be offensive; but-the
inference is unavoidable. You are
known to have purchased a valuable
pearl collar In Paris"
II believe declared it,"
But upon examination you produce
only a comparatively worthless imita-
tion. and assert that you have been
robbed of the original"
II assert! have asserted nothing"
Mrs. Merrilees drew long breath,
closed her teeth with vindictive snap.
and reopened them to observe with
withering dlstinctness, "Go awayi You
are insolent! You presume-oh, you
annoy me! Do go-before forget my.
self"
1--WE can't assess an imitation at the
value Of the real necklace, Of course.
and yet we know that the original is
coming into this country by this boat"
Then permit me to recommend the
other passengers to your attention
We'll do our best to overhaul them
all, / promise you. But II the goods
don't turn up. Wen feel reluctantly
compelled to make thorough search,
not only Of your luggage but Of your
self as well. Mrs. Merrilees."
"Quoin" Mrs. Merrilees appealed.
The investigator shook his head.
Its too bad; but l really don't see
what's to be done about 1t. These peo-
pie have the power to make things
mighty unpleasant for you unless"
What. you too?" she hissed, with
vast dramatic expression.
NO, no.' Cuoin protested hastily.
Don't misunderstood me. I'm only
afraid that, unless the necklace shows
up, you'll have to submit"
Very well !" With shrug of de-
fance, Mrs. Merrilees showed Quoin
an ungra ious back. To the deputy
she added with blighting disdain, Go
ahead. And while you're finding moth
ing in my trunks you may as well send
for female inspector to search me.
But every one Of you will suffer for
this-or I'll know the reason why!"
I'm sorry, madam"
But there wasn't much uneasiness
betrayed in the deputy collectors man
ner as he signed to the inspector to do
his hateful duty.
The three friends OF Mrs. Merrilees,
on the other hand, were acutely uncom-
fortable-Quoin in disgrace, Peter
Trait firmly convinced that the deputy
was right and consequently afraid to
meet Betty's eyes, and Lydia not only
sore distressed with misgivings, but re-
PEELED by Betty's attitude.
And this was the phase Of the affair
disclosed to Craven when he hustled
up, aglow with satisfaction.
Hello. people! I'm all clear. Had
the deuce Of a time-the silly ass want
ed to rook me for duds l brought in as
long ago as 1908; but What's the
row."
This last was in q tone radically
changed, and at the same instant his
fiancee decided to acknowledge him on
probation, however rigidly she might
elect to deny the rest Of humanity. So
she unbent enough to beckon him with
a nod; and Craven hurried on to get
his answer from the one most con.
cerned.