The Monmouth inquirer., 1922-06-15

- AA-eAte W W get IL again.. But
we are at cross-purposes about the
gems. Please state plainly what you
meant"
Mrs Talaott, didn't you place those
diamonds in my pocket?"
"fEow could 1? never owned such
a necklace"
: Rutherford crumpled the stones to-
sether and was dropping them in his
pocket when peremptory voice
halted him.
"Stopi"
He whirled around. A man snrang
into the room and seized his arm in
an attempt to secure the jewels.
Wen trouble you for that" a sec
ond man asserted. also approaching
Rutherford
But the latter with the trained In
stincts and muscles of an athlete. had
not waited to parIey. With one swift
wrench he escaped the grasp of the
first intruder and retreated until he
stood with his back against the desk.
''How did you get ?'' he demanded.
Like anybody else would: rang the
bell" said one of the men insolently,
as though assured that the situation
! was entirely in their own hands.
! you let them in!" cried Mrs. Tai
colt, reproachfully, to Sophie, who now
thrust scared face in the doorway.
"Oui, Mademoiselle, how should Y
know?" the girl exclaimed. wringing
her hands.
81 did not hear the bell ring" Craig
said, looking sharply at the maid.
Rutherford himself had recognized
both the men at once. They were the
secret service men from the ship
Plainly he was in tight corner, with
the smuggled booty visible in his pos
session Nevertheless, he endeavored
to gain time by descending.
"What brought you here?" he de-
manded
"Oh, that's all right" said the other.
"Give up the necklace quietly now and
we can fix it up at the office later.
That's the best way to keep out of
trouble. Give it up!"
But the fellow had over-reached him
self Rutherford had noted the look of
cupidity which came into his eye, and
also realized that it was decidedly
unofficial proceeding to allow sus-
pect to go merely upan release of prop
erty With swift motion of his
wrist he slipped the Jewels into his
pocket.
"None OF that" cried the man, lung
fas at him.
But he reckoned without his host
Rntharford met him half way with
! firm set of his muscles which halted
the man with jolt. The other sprang
to his side end tried to glover Ruther-
ford out of countenance.
you're getting in bad" he said, ere
! sisting an officer! Pe+tNr rive up the
diamonds without any f;f-s,"
"Mr Rutherfcrd, don't % iae' cried
Mrs. Talcott. 81 warn youl # these
men are not what thov clci-a to be
you will hare to re,~ah''ree the gov
ernmert for the dianends. Please be
sure bafore You Get.
'TraiS struck cgf viTnroraly with
hts right and left; hat tho men were
too close, and quickly piaioncd his
arms.
Mrs. Taleott snatched IN the ri5tol.
''If you take another step IN this
direction shall shooti" she said In
even tone to the mon.
Ter bsck WIS trrrnl II tNe second
r. - 49, snote and with hound he
had sprnng forward and wrested the
weaDon from her grasp.
"Ncw take the diamonds away from
htRa, SAM" he announced, triumphant
II "Tve got the gum"
Mrs. Talcott tried to ruin to the
desk
"stay where YOU aro," the holder
of the weopon commanded.
She halted, gazing dnspairingly at
her goal, hut two short feet away.
"Pl get it, Don't shoot!" painted
the stocky fellow, evidently not want
ing to make disturbance that might
be heard outside.
By lucky twist he reached Rr.h-
erford's pocket Craig writhed about
until he had forced the mans hond
ont: then he plunged his own in and
grasned the necklace. Across the foor
he sent It slairning. II hone that hts
assaiiant wos.ld dart afser II and efve
it4h q t4sS@4lNS 70 .lIIoSfN a. ES+tSI du-
va1tage
TIE aeqt1aee SD acres1 ~ spot
near where Mrs. Talcott stood. She
made 2 fairt Of sei7ing It, The other
nan dartcd toward her and pushed her
v'Oler'y r-Dc-a the deek but as she fell
she manr~eF = r-1'l the Jewels with
her foot baot under tire rear nart ef
the desk. Ttn man tried vainlv TO
reach them aad swore savarely under
his breath
Suddenly voice that fairly roared
its vigorous shout came to the man
under the desk and the two struggling
on the floor.
"Cominsi Coming!" the Great voice
shouted. "Hands un. you towards,
We've got you this timel"
arT f.J-.