The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-05-24

~oh' On motorcycle, of being the
tnieves! They can be no other than
tnose people who ran into us yester--
day on the Syderford road"
Hold your tongue. Alexander in.
terrupted Lady Erythea impatiently
"and allow this amazing younp man
to continue!"
Ihere was some scrap" said Billy
dimdently. maybe If there'd been two
men I'd have done better, but the lady
hampered me. and somehow l took the
count. They knocked me out and
got away. But they left this behind
them." he pointed to the case Of em.
eraids, land 1t looks like they never
knew they'd lost 1t. don't know.
madam. If there was anything else
OF yours they got. II SO, Pm very
sorry l didn't attach It, and rome the
two thieves for you as well. But. with
the pair Of them, 1t was rather a
roughhouse. 1 did my best"
There was flush of admiration on
Lady Erythea's high cheek-bones.
Yes. there were other Jewels sto-
len,' she said. "but their value is the
merest trifle compared to what Won
nave restored to me. These emeraIds
are my most priceless family posses
Sion They are historic-nothinc
could have recompensed me for the
loss of them. Your conduct has been
not only Intelligent. but extraordi
narily gallant. May ask your name?
Spencer William Spencer"
Mr. Spencer, 1t is impossible foi
me to express my gratitude in words
l thank you most heartily for what
you have done; 1t is fortunate for me
the emeralds fell into such good
hands. Let me say that I was about
to offer a reward for information
leading to the recovery of the Jewels:
a reward Of" Lady Erythea hesi-
tated, and achieved an inward strug-
gle-"one hundred pounds. But
must really ask you to accept hun
dred and fifty"
Lady Erythea unlocked desk, and
produced check-book. Billy flushed
red.
Madam" he said quietly. 1.-THE serv-
Ice l did you cost me nothing. I'm,
glad you have your Jewels back. Pm
man who earns his living. but l don't
accept gratuities. And people very
scarcely ever offer them to me-"
Lady Erythea turned somewhat
pink In her turn. She slid the check
book aside.
Il beg your pardon" she said, with
some embarrassment mingled with re-
lief and touch almost of annoyance
ut was the least could do. You will
accept no recompenseT'
None, madam. Anyway not in
money"
you are not English, are your"
American. And a Westerner. at
that"
"Ahl You have done me great
service. Is there nothing I can do
for you?"
Before Billy could reply, Mr.. Tar
beaux opened the door
"Mlady, Inspector Panke-"
Mr.. Tarbeaux's gaze fell on the EN-
eralds. He was very human for
butler and 1t took him a, a,fraction OF
second to recover himself.
inspector Panke urgently desires
to see your ladyship at once"
"Show him in here" said Lady Fry
thea grimly.
Billy did not move an eyelid. II
seemed to him that Mr.. Lambe's sol
emn eyes were watching him rather
intently. Inspector Panke appeared.
ia +hn
eralds' history. The inspector was
the fifth person in whom they caused
intense emotion.
"Well, have you caught the thieves?"
inquired Lady Erythea, acidly.
"No-no, my lady," stammered In
spector Panke, gazing at the necklace.
"Perhaps you had better enlist the
services of Mr.. Spencer" said her
ladyship, with wave of her hand
toward Billy. This young man has
already found the emeralds and re-
stored them to me-"
"Then," said Panke, with search
ing glance at Billy. II should like a
by the jewels"
Sure" said Billy genlally.
Mr.. Lambe set chairs for them both.
All four seated themselves; Lady Ery-
thea, with an avid determination to
keep abreast Of affairs, held her ear
trumpet close to Billy and the police
man.
Billy repeated his tale with fuller
detail this time. and described, not
without twinge of embarrassment.
his downfall at the hands of Calamity
Kate. Lady Erythea's lips frightened
grimly. the description did not sur
prise her. The Inspector had his book
before him and made careful notes.
At the conclusion he regarded Billy
penslvely, and with touch OF envy.
'It's a pity you didn't hang on to
them. when you'd got them In hand"
said Panke. But, Of course, we know
what Calamity Kate Is"
"WhO?" echoed Billy.