The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1920-03-05
CHAPTER vl-contiuued.

CHAPTER Vl-continusd
us madame intending to converse
wis me, holding weapon in her
hand7"
rs monsieur intending to converse
with me behind locked doors?'
For re present-yes."
VERY we'll, then, get 1t over. What
ts it," I felt very sure by this time
1t had nothing, directly, to do with
Mrs. Delario.
1T Is zis-my daughter, Claire. was
robbed of some very valuable jewels
on Re steamer coming over. Zere are
hut two persons who could possibly
have committed re seft-Mrs. Delario
and-yourself."
was dazed-so dazed that I STAN
mered.
You say Claire was robbed coming
over on the steamer-and you think
did it?"
Precisely"
My wits came back with that fiat
accusation.
about it at the time?" demanded.
Probably because she was not
aware of it at re time-one seldom is,
if I may be permitted to point it out
to madame"
Twas 50 completely innocent Of even
knowing that the girl had jewels with
her-except such little trinkets as a
child values and that nobody but a
street thief would have bothered his
head Over-that l saw monsieur's &C.
cusation as blackmail. That word sud-
denly popped into my head and gave
me the basis of a return attack.
You mean to tell me that Claire
had valuable jewels on the steamer yet
never mentioned The fact to either Mrs.
Delari0 or myself?''
Naturally, she says nossing-why
should she? She is under no Obli.a-
tiOn to speak Of such Il matter to YOU"
I'm other words. she was smuggling
valuable Jewels into the country-try-
Ing to get them through the customs
house without our knowing it, SO we
cot1d tell her to declare them?"
Smuggling? She is taking zem to
her musscr-zey have once been pur-
chased In America"
Il don't believe she had any Jewels"
asserted bravely. "Mercly to say she
had-and she hasn't got them now
doesn't prove anything. You must have
sense enough tn see that for Yourself"
His face had darkened again. "You
doubt my word? have re proof,
madame. re absolute proof-zat she
had 70 Jewels wis her when she went
on board ze steamer: and while on
hoard: and up to a certain date. 1 can
furnish proof Eat would be accept IN
any courtAif madame renders It nec-
essary."
His tone carried conviction In spite
Of myself; also. I knew he was ready
to have me put under arrest and fur
nish his proof In court. For a minute
went limp and sick. But pulled my
self together for another shot at him
Then you admit she was smuggling
Jewels into the countryf
He shruggedE1 thsught to conceal
hts uneasiness ut the way was taking
II. "Ze Jewels belong to my wife-a
wedding gift from her faxer-if you
call It smuggiing-"
"But they were not declared-I
know that, anyway. Well, then-since
they were not declared. they were to
oil fntents and purposes smuggled. We
shall now act ~ though they had been
smuEgled-we shall at once enlist the
services Of the government In your be-
halt. After the jewels are discovered,
you can present evidence that they
were not subject to duty. Or. Of course, |
you can pay the duty. suppose they
are worth that to you to get them
Oackf'
"What do you mean. madame9'' he |
exclaimed IN tone that to me sound. |
ID alarm. you sink ask your gov
eminent to seek for x0xe lost Jewels |
Of my daughter3 Diable-pardon-an |
Sese zem 80 soon as find semi"
mot you. but III will ask the Gus.