The Washington times., 1920-06-19

TT was not the police rappins at
my door. II was a private de-
4 tectiye Jim had summoned TO
Investigate the disappearance OF
my ring.
We told him the whole story
from the moment 1 replaced the
ring in the box until that other
moment when the box fell from
Berths's hands and she picked u
up. ftted the lid to II and returned
II TO me - empty. Carefully we
went over each detail, and under
tho supervision OF the detective we
searched tn dining room again.
The detective looked carefully in
each drawer and bit OF silver.
Then-as csrefully-he went over
the living-room. But the search
ayailed nothing.
you've searched the girl" he
said at last, with professional i'm
personality. "Do you want TO pre-
fer charges"
"oh, no." | protested. NO. I'm
sure Bertha had nothing TO do with
it,"
Very we'll madam; do you wish
to let her go?" asked the detec-
riye-Wsdley. was his name.
Then Bertha broke in:
| want you to examine my room
and my baggage first. sir. ! never
lifted the ring and Mrs. Harrison
knows i amt got II by me. But
! don't want them TO say after
ward ] planted IL anywhere"
wait a minute. my good girl"
broke in Mr.. Wadley, shrewdly.
That's thieves lingo you're using.
How do you come TO talk that"
And before my unwilling eyes
! saw him torture the story OF her
husband from Bertha"s white lips.
81 guess we've enough 10 hold
YOU on" he sneeTed.
Mrs. Harrison" sobbed> Bertha,
II told you how il would be. Be
fore all the saints and in the name
"t my dead mother, ] didn't touch
that ring Mrs. Harrison. you know
never was a thief. Don't let them
take me and mark me for life.
Don't let them get my mani"
Her words trailed off and she
looked at me piteously.
AN APPEAL TO JIM.
"Mr. Harrison and ] decline to
prefer charges against Bertha" /
said firmly. / know she had moth
OF the ring. don't think well need
you any longer, Mr. Wadley."
"Know who the thief is?"
The detective turned on me alb
ruptly as he asked the question. l
shook my head, but he smiled
knowingly. felt almost as if he
might be suspecting Jim-or me.
When complete search of Ber-
tha's baggage failed to reveal any
trace of the missing pearl. Mr.. Wad-
ley condcscended to let her go. But
as she left. he turned to us smiling
triumphantly.
Il got a man outside. with orders
to follow whoever leaves this apart
ment tonight" he said amiably.
Hes a human bloodhound and you
can take il from me. he'll know how
many breaths that girl draws every
day. "I'lI notify the pawn shows
and while I'm doing that, don't you
think you might persuade those
other folks who were alone with the
ring this afternoon to come back
for n nice sociable visit?"
Wadley went into the next room
to telephone, and I turned to Jim
with sudden determination.
Jim, dearest, that ring was your
present to me--and | loved ii. VIII
you let me have my own way about
it,"
Sure" said Jim. I'm trying to
do all / can for you now. don't you
think so? Because if there's any
thing else you can think Of
"Ill suppose it was my birthday
present sent a month ahead of time"
/ said.
Jim looked blank.
isn't your birthday tomorrow"
he asked.
ITS the 18th" / replied-"but
the 18th of next month. but, you
dear old simpleton. don't YOU see?
I've had the fun n whole month
ahead of time. and I'll have il
again on my birthday, remembering
how adorable it was and how moro
than adorable you were to get tho
beautiful thing for me. And-and
that's all, Jim"
Nv hat do YOU mean-ttuats all >"
II mean well send the detective
away. And just be happy remem-
bering the ring and that you bought
il for me and I love it."
What? Are you crazy de-
manded Jim.
JIM GIVES IN.
Dear, I want you to do as I ask
pleaded. "It was my ring. It's
going to be my birthday. I don't
want people tortured over me. Poor
Bertha mustn't be bounded. No one
else must suffer. 1t would hurt me
and maybe ] wouldn't get the
ring anyway. Please drop 1t, Jim.
Please"
"I will not" began JIM
4. la =, cid
arm about his neck and laid my
face against his.
"Jim, ] think ! know who took ii
and why" I whispered. "1f you
love me, you'll let me get It back
my own way. It's the only chance
we have of seeing the ring again.