The St. Mary banner., 1918-03-16

monds.
He rose. moved unsteadily to the
center table, and helped himself to the
remainder of the brandy.
"You should have told me first
thing" he mumbled.
IF you hadn't misled me, shouldn't
have hesitated an instant. father; but
that by saying nothing ! might ward
off danger from you."
"Yes," he agreed simply, lit would
have been better if I'd told you the
truth. But then. Of course. you
wouldn't have consented to bring the
stuff in. And how was to know they
were watching me so closely? How did
they guess I'd"
"They'?"
He gave her a sullen glance. Smith
and Colonel Gordon. Gordon's the
other crooks name-if Quoin forgot to
ten you. Curse it! Why didn't you
tell me this first?"
"Why? What difference"
"No difference" he grumbled. "Too
late: now mischief's done" He with
drew into morose contemplation of the
knave of diamonds.
"What have such men to do with the
secret service?" Lydia demanded abb
ruptly.
''With the-ah-secret serviceY He
looked up blankly. "Why-nothing
whatever! What makes you ask?"
"Then what were they after when
they attacked me? Not the evidence
you talked about?"
my dear child! What do you sup
pose? What but the loot-that neck
lace? They've been hot on Betty's
trail from the moment it became
known she had bought the thing from
Cottier's."
"You confuse me sol" Lydia protest.
ed in bewilderment. IF they weren't
connected with the secret service. if
if you had nothing whatever to do with
them, why are you so afraid of them7"
81? But-my dear child" Craven
said indulgently. you're quite mis-
taken. I'm no more afraid Of them
than of-well-say Mr.. Collector
Loeb"
Seated across the table from him,
resting her elbows upon 1t, Lydia re-
gar(led her father with an expression In
which were blended amazement, stupe-
faction, misery and uncertainty.
II Craven read her look, he refused
to acknowledge it. With an air Of
thorough satisfaction he rose and. tax
ing up the puzzle box, shut 1t with a
snap, It's treasure undisturbed.
Her eyes followed the puzzle box.
which Craven was slipping into the
side pocket of his coat, with an express
sion he was quick to interpret.
'This goes to Betty Merrilees as fast
as taxicab can take it," he an
nounced promptly. I'm fact, stopped
in only to get 1t on my way uptown"
"rm glad of that" said Lydia. list
lessly tracing an empty pattern on the
table.
IF I'm late, don't fret about me,
please. I'm quite all right now.
Chances are I sha'n't have another
turn like tonight's in several"
A knock sounded on the door. He
broke off with start, and for half a
minute stood moveless and silent, his
mouth ajar, his eyes transixed; then,
recollecting himself, he said almost
nonchalantly:
mind answering that? II it's any
body for me, say I'm out"
AS Lydia rose he swung sharply back
into his bedchamber. When she turned
back from the door she saw him poised
alertly Just within the threshold, his
right hand buried in his coat pocket.
"A note for yOu-wants an answer.
The bellboy's waiting"
With q nervous gesture Craven ad-
vanced and took the envelope, his
breath quickening and brows clouding
as he conned the superscription-his
name in ink and the room number in
blue pencil. But for several seconds
he seemed to hesitate. Then abruptly
he ripped it open.
And this time he seemed to have
been prepared; for he manifested no
untOward emotion when he drew from
the envelope single playing card, the
knave of clubs.
Drawing deep breath, which might
have been a sigh Of relief, Craven de-
lliberately tossed the card face upward
on the table. you'll notice pin
puncture in the stem Of the club. be-
meath the small j." he observed cOOlly.
THAT means one Of my agents, on
urgent business"
"Tll stay in my room with the door
shut" Lydia volunteered.
/ MNo-wasn,f thinking Of that: mere