Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-16

so ~oy Whom had warned to keep
close watch upon her diamonds.
managed to attract Bertram's atten-
tion' and the pair, quitting the floor.
joined me where l stood. A few words
suhiced In which to inform them OF
the catastrophe, and, pointing out
the aicoVe wherein l had left Chun-
oermeyer and Lady Coils. / set off
IN search OF Inspector Carlisle.
zen minutes later. having visited
every likely spot. / came to the con-
ciusion that he was not in the hotel,
ana with Mr.. Balabas / returned to
the alcove adjoining the ballroom.
nahe'hg was in full swing. and /
thought as we passed along the edge
oI the moor how easily l could have
checked the festivities by announcing
mat omar of Ispahan was present.
me nrst sight to greet me upon en-
terins the little palm shaded alcoye
was that of Mrs. Van Heysten in
tears She had discovered herself tn
DC wearing very Indifferent dupli
cate OF her famous diamond tiara.
think 1t was my action of sooth
lhgiy pattfng her upon the shoulder
that drew Chundermeyer's attention
10 my Hatshepsu scarab.
Mr.. Kernaby!" he cried-"Mr. Ker-
naby!" And pointed to my finger.
mad had the scarab set in a re-
volving bezel. and habitually wore It
with the beetle uppermost and the
eartouche concealed. As i glanced
oown at the ring. Chundermeyer
stfetched out his hand and detached
u from my finger. Approaching the
hght' he turned the bezel.
The fiat part Of the scarab was
quite blank. bearing no inscrintion
Whatever. Like Lady Coils rope of
pearls. Mrs. Van Heyssten's tiara, and
Chundermeyer's diamonds, It was a
worthless and very Indifferent dupli-
cate!
Il will search for Inspector Carlisle
myself" said Mr.. Chundermeyer: "a nd
II cannot ind him 1 shall be COM
peHed to communicate with the local
police authorities"
NJ BALLADS still volubly protesting.
the unfortunate Yelled Prophet made
mis- way from the alcovs. cannot
say II the inspiration came az tho re-
SUIT or a sort Of hypnosis in
ouceo by staring at the worthless
ring In my hand-the stone was not
even real lapis-laxuli-but a theory
regarding the manner in which these
ingenious substftutions had been ef
1ected suddenly entered my mind.
Ihree minutes later I was knock
ing at the door of Chundermeyer's
room. I received no invitation to en-
ter. and the door was. locked. 7
sought M. BALLADS: and. without con-
noihs to him the theory upon which
was acting. I urged the desirability
OF gaining access to the apartment.
AS result, a master key was pro-
cured. and we entered.
At the hrst glance the room seemed
10 be empty. though 1T showed evil
dence of having recently been occu-
pieo' Tor 1t was in the utmost dis
order. Perhaps we should have Quit
tea 1T unenlishtened. II 1 had not de-
tected the sound of faint groan pro-
ceeding from the closed wardrobe
stepping across the room, I opened
the double doors, and out into nv
arms fell limp figure. bound hand
and foot, and having a bath towel Sc
cured tightly around the head to act
as gag. 1t was Mr.. Chundermeyer!
have been robbed" he cried
huskily. Il was sand-bagged as came
from my bath, and look-every one Of
my cases is gomez .
1t was M. BALLADS who answered
him.
AS you returned from your bath.
Mr.. Chundermeyer?" he said "Atwha t
TIME was thatc"
About quarter-past seven" was
the amazing reply.
"Ah. merciful saints" cried Bala-
bas. dramatically raising his clenched
nsts to Heaven. Il see it all! You un-
derstand, Mr.. Kernaby. 1t is not Mr..
Chundermeyer with whom we have
been conversing, in whose hands you
have been placing your valuables. 1t
is that devil incarnate who three
years ago impersonated the Emir al
Hadj, in order to steal the Holy Car
pet; who can impersonate any one;
who. 1t is said. can transform him.
self at will into an old woman, a
camel or fig tree; 1t Is the conjuror,
the wizard-Omar Of Ispahan!"