Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-02-25
CHAPTER xv-contInued.

And she was expecting himl she
lad had an impression" that he
would come TO her as soon as his In
terview with me was over, and she
was not taken unawares.
The Rild-eyed Swedish maid admit
ted him, showing him into the recep-
ton room and asking him to wait, as
her mistress was "giving a reading"
A moment later Mrs. Delario came In
cOolly and asked to be excused-she
rad q sitter and could not possibly see
monsieur this evening. OF course there
was no sitter IN the seance room, but
a muff and a boa on the chair beside
him conveyed the impression that
there was q caller.
Monsieur played his surprise card
instantly. Saying he would detain her
but moment he sprung 1t on her that
had told him she had the diamonds
and he had come TO apologize for the
unfortunate mistake" that had been
made. and to arrange to get the stones
"as soon as convenient"
II was bold move; but Billy and ]
had taught him one thIng-everything
now depended on diplomacy, and II
she denied having the stones he could
do nothing.
1t was also a bold lle--telling her !
had said she had told me; but he
failed to trip her even there: she says
she "knew before the words were out
Of his mouth that 1t was a lie-that
lie appeared in large white letters
over his head"
you must excuse me this evening
have a sitter In the next roOm," she
said quietly. and showed him she
would not talk
But, madame, It is necessary Eat
we make some arrangement"
but. monsieur" she returned, 81
cannot discuss the matter with you
now"
''If you will so kindly permit me to
wait" he began, using all his dlplo-
macy-and feeling he needed 1t,
imagine
She made a move on her own ac-
count-drawlng herself up. she told
him, after the way you treated me
last Monday-the accusations you
brought against me Of robbing your
daughter positively Will not talk
with you for a single minute. unless
you bring her with you"
He had not expected this demand,
but he met II with a smile.
cit Is well I" he cried, determined TO
humor her to the last degree. 81 re-
turn to re hotel and bring my daugh-
ter back wis me Immediately We will
zen await your convenience for an In.
tervlew."
81 shall not be through here for an
hour"
Certainly, madame-at your con.
venience."
She saw him jump into waiting
automobile and dash away In the dl
rection of his hotel. II was from there
he dispatched the notes to Claire and
me. Hardly was he out of sight before
she had on her wraps and whisked out
OF the house and up to me with the
diamonds. Not to let the elevator
boy see her she had walked up and
down on the opposite side of the street
until she saw someone enter and &c
In the car; then she followed anC
crept softly TO the top. where she re
membered had my fiat. She had lis
tened outside the door and had recog
nized both my voice and Claire's ant
hid herself on the dark stairway unit
she heard Claire and Billy leaving
With that she had slipped in. but hat
not dared to waste Il minute In ex
plantations and she was back again II
her own house and her Swedish mai
didn't even know that her mistres
had been out.
A crafty plan on monsleurs part
He had, by getting Billy to eseor
Claire back, bottled up our ac'.vltle