Evening star., 1923-05-17
BY LAURA JEAN LIBBEY

the next morning. The first thing
he did was to ascertain if the Dol
phin made any stops between Katar
and New York. He was intensely
relieved to learn she did not.
His next step was to visit the gov
crnment officials of Katar to secure
extradition papers to bring the girl
Jil-Bett back, providing she was not
by that time beyond their jurisdic-
! ton.
i This international theft case
wherein such a great sum was rep
resented, and in which little Jil-Bett.
whom they had known SO long and
| loved so well. was involved, caused
much excitement among the officials.
To a man their sympathies seemed
to be with Jil-Bett.
"A man is a fool to expect justice
; in such a case" Staples ruminated.
He realized. by their excuses for
delay, their. intention to aid, as it
were. Jil-Bett. by permitting her to
get beyond the point where they
could have caused her return, though
| their government boat. the fastest
ocean greyround on the coast lay
idly at anchor there.
Staples' next procedure was to send
wireless message to Manager Hale,
which was as follows:
Arrest girl Jil-Bett on way to
New York on Dolphin. Ruby in
boat.
"(Signed) STAPLES"
This message caused no end of
CONSERVATION at Liffany's.
The gem stolen." Hale cried in
CONSERVATION: Heavens. what a
heartily rejoiced that no receipt had
been given the owner of the ruby
whereby they could be held RESPONSE
bic for its loss.
In connection with it. said owner
had made no inquiry whatever as to
with the work.
Most uncanny. all the way
through" was Hale comment.
He lost no time in notifying the
police. officers were assigned to
watch for the incoming Dolphin and
apprehend the girl on her arrival.
There was one point over which
the police confessed they were not a
little puzzled. and that was, as to
why. the girl was flying into the jaws
Of all places. Older and wiser heads
on the force took different view.
1t showed extraordinary cunning.
they argued; America was the last
place one would think of looking for
her. She must know that every
other point would be thoroughly
combed. therefore took refuge under
the very nose of those searching for
her.
They had no description of the girl,
therefore 1t would be necessary to
send man out to board the steamer
at quarantine. There was not likely
to be but one person with that odd
name, Jil-Bett on board. They had
no information husband accom-
panying her. :xpected to find a
young woman cling alone.
Manager Ha despite the no-re-
cefpt part OF j.. responsible for
the gem and it* '."overy.
1uii c6ipt' t OF officers were
on hand an morning the boat
was schedu!sd to land; great was
, their surprise when she did not put
in an appearance, nor was any word
received from her
A little later they learned she had
! met with a disturbance at sea
coming.
Hale hurried down to the shipping
company's office.
"A disturbance at sea. what do they
| mean by that?" he demanded
The men in charge Of the office were
| quite as mystified as he.
Some Of the crew may have mutt
MED" suggested one. "The captain
is a very harsh man, Understand,
| and none too well liked by the crew
| that shipped with him. 1t takes very
little to create a disturbance among
q bunch Of seafaring men, especially
II they make up their minds to cele-
brate. It's the captains business to
nip such intentions in the bud"
! Another opined the disturbance
| could not be of serious nature, or
they would have learned of 1t by
wireless Or radio at once.
A third man called their attention
| to the fact that the equinoxial
storm, the worst in years. might
| have something to do with their not
receiving either wireless or radio
! message up to date.
| All concluded they could but watch
and wait patiently.
| Jil-Bett was on the point of leav-
ing the deck when Jack put in an
appearance. Just as he was about
to speak, she held up one warning
finger. do not attecpt any ex-
cuses: know you forgot your prom
ise to me to return shortly; is it not
so?"
] You are right" he returned frank
| ly, II became so engrossed in a story
| one of the sailors was telling that I
! did not notice the time; please par
don me. You, and no one else here.
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