The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-05

anu uliy 10 Tie SNi aims VI Gil W.
ira, while his heart was heavy ana his
thoughts were far afield.
Yes" said the girl with n choke in
her voice. 81 care for him more than
anything else in the world"
II know he took that diamond"
acknowledged the girl He has told
me everything"
"And what do you expect me to do?"
I could see her shaking shoulders
square with sudden resolution.
u want to take it back to its owner"
she said.
My silence seemed to n1ystify her.
She didn't realize it was q silence of
anazement.
Then let him!" she implored. look
inE up into my face. 1t was my smile
nov that was puzzling to her.
was about to explain 20 her the ex-
traordinary fact that its owner had de-
Gifted to be interested in 1t. But had
no chance to do this. for the taxicab
suddenly came to stop.
Our driver, I could see. had been
hailed by a slender bodied youth who
stepped out from between the shrub
berry that lined the driveway. He was
almost beside the taxi door before
awakened to the fact that it was
while Whiteway himself.
He opened that door with his own
hand. He didn't speak to me. but stood
there looking into the eyes of the girl
| at my side.
What unuttered interrogation he put
to her, and what unspoken answer she
in turn sent back to him. had no
means at the time of knowing. But he
suddenly leaned closer into the cab,
staring at me with determined feroc-
ity which startled me from that sleek
and saIlow young face.
| Il want that diamond" he said with
q masterfulness which rather admired
in him.
''why?" asked as I reached for my
handbag.
He hestated for a moment.
Because I've got to start over
again." he announced. And that's the
only way can see to do it."
Il want you to start overt" I startled
him by saying as 1 opened my bag
''What?" he gasped.
I say I want you two young people
to take your chance, now it's here. And
if you haven't as much right to this
pendant that sweet scented pair
who've been afraid to touch it with a
ten-foot pole. then it's not for me to
make myself into a Judge and jury!"
And I was about to add And bless
you. my children" as 1 handed the
canary colored diamond nesting be-
tween its two emeralds out to him.
But something stopped me. For It
wasn't until my Pagliacci reached out
1 and took the pendant with his left
hand that I noticed what he already
! held in is right hand. -.- r
What he held was a very snub-nosed
looking revolver. police revolver with
sawed-of barrel. 1t was the kind of
fire-arm. I remembered. much af-
fected by the yegg and the professional
hold-up man. And at almost the same
moment that realized shis saw
look pass between the youth with the
revolver and the girl sitting so close
at my side. 1t struck me as being a
: foolish look, look OF utter amazement
touched with incredulity.
Driver" 1 called out sharply, as I
started to my feet. And the person
addressed, I discovered. had to all ap-
pearances lapsed into a slumber Of
blissful unconcern.
merely knew that something was
wrong, that everything was wrong
There was no longer a beleaguering
look OF pathos on the lean face of the
, lean young tango-rat beside me. II
wore wicked look now, and a furtive
one. And it perplexed me to see him
suddenly stoop low, close in beside the
runnhS-poaro. AT the same moment
the lithe-limbed young girl on NV left.
realizing better than the full intent
of that posture Of humiliation. cams
into unexpected action. with one quick
! push she hunted me bodily and ignom-
iniously out through the open door Of
, that taxicab.
cascaded out over that obstructing
body and rolled without grace or dig
nifty along the well-piled surface OF an
uncommonly hard macalamized drive
way. I sat there dazedly watching
that taxicab sway out of sight beyond
a turn in the driveway. Then slowly
gathered myself together. recovered my
handbag. and made my way to Park
bench. where l sat long and deep in
thought.
Half an hour later hailed an empty
taxi and ordered the driver to take me
straight down to the Alliance Offices.
There Inspector Sloan looked up at me
with a meditative and Impersonal eye.
BY the way Balmy. guess we've
got clue to that canary diamond that
; belonged to your beautiful blonde
+. f~.end." he said as he reached for
scratch-pad.
wilkins reports leather-dip and
gem-thief called Bronchial Billy STALL
ing as an exhibition dancer up at the
: Byzantine trottery. And I've lust
found out they've had seven Jewell
! thefts there inside of five weeks"
1 backed up until I came to a cha
Then I sat down in it.
He tries to pull the con stuff. ana
works with a chicken-stall who goes
under the name of Baby Hilton or
sometimes Barbara Hilton continued
the Chief.
1t gave me a decidedly queer feeling.
but I did my best to keep my face
straight.
What name did you say that ex-
hibition-d dancer worked ulder?" 1 In
quIred.
Willie Whiteway." was Sloan's pre-.
| occupied reply. And it's up to you to
get the cuffs on him before he breaks
for cover"
La comedia q dnata % Z .1n...f.. 81