The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-01-16

the password we'd agreed on.
"Then he hasn't killed your were
my first words.
'Who2 Your 'mossooY Mo-
killed him on the stairs last night
or pretty nearp'
didn't see why Billy should bestow
the proprietorship on me--he wasn't
my "mossoo." as reminded Billy while
he was pulling pair of handouts out
of his overcoat pocket.
"a mere detail" he returned. "He
will be your own in an hour" He flung
off his coat. "Where do we hide these
togs?"
my wardrobe. But he won't
come"
"Oh, yes, he will-he told me So"
thought Billy was joking and made
no reply.
VERY interesting man." unused Billy.
"Not at all the sort Of person you'd
expect to find in a diamond robbery.
Wonderful knowledge of European pol
itics-and american politics, too"
BILLY, what do you mean?" de-
manded.
why, I took your 'mossoo' home
to his hotel last highland"
"You didn't" gasped.
"Of course did, Why not? You
don't suppose I'd go Off and leave him
here to murder you, do your" Billy
was making the most out of his story,
could see.
But - how did you man
age - it?" / was still gasping.
81 didn't. He did. He wasn't going
to give himself away by going up
stairs; he said he was going down. So
talking to him. When we got to the
street we just kept on till I'd seen
him home. We were thick as thieves
by that time. I invited him to see
Chinatown tonight and he accepted"
BILLY! You never"
Eyes, did, And it's how I know
he's coming tonight-see? went
round this morning in time for the
first mail. He was waiting for it.
Oh, he got the letter all right! And
as soon as he read it he came over
and told me he couldn't go to China
town tonight-he had diplomatic bust
ness that might take him to Washing
ton-which means here. Sect"
BILLY, you're the cleverest thing /
ever sawp cried with real admira-
ton.
Misunderstanding from you / appre-
ciate that" He said it in an offhand
way. but I could see he was feeling
very set up over himself. And / didn't
blame him. He added, "What the
'mossoo' was really after-why he
wouldn't let me go out in the dark
alone-was to know who was calling
on. / told him it was the people IN
the front fiat and I couldn't get in. /
told him 1t was their cousin from Bos-
ton was calling on and maybe they'd
gone to the theater. That led to our
talking about plays; that led to an in
spiration of genius and asked him If
he'd seen Chinatown; that led to my
invitation and-the rest you know"
"Billy, you are positively the clever
est man / knowp
Didn't think I'd grow up like that,
did you? And that's not all. AS for
the pretty daughter--your little Claire
that you think so much of-don't faint
now-well, she's in it up to the neck
and over her ears. She's his accom-
plice, all right. Here's her cable mes
sage" He drew out a bit of paper
on which he'd copied 1t and read:
Born a girl. Mother and child do
ing well. CLAIRE"
but this is-this isn't" STAN
mered.
"Quite So" agreed Billy. sit is and
it isn't! 1t is code. 1t isn't piece
of insanity. I've read tor think
have. Listen now: Born'-the pre-
cious thing that was expected has
come to pass successfully; that is. the
diamonds have arrived safe and
sound"
He glanced at me for approval and |
then puckered up his brow while adj |
hitting, "This next-'a gfrr-puzzles
me a bit. It's one OF three things
just flller. to make it read; or code
word with an agreed meaning; or it |
refers to Mrs. Delario-that Is, --se