New Britain herald., 1924-07-08
NOW co ON WITH THE STORY

heard Maret iabhering@ about it Some lndisn princess went bust and sold it." flc whistled. Hell have 10 pay another chunk of money to- morrow, at the Customs, when he shows them that bit of junk. That'll break his heart. He sure hates to spend a nickel where it won't show the old tight-wad.'
 l agreed with him, signing as I did so. thinking how we'll I could use the money represented by that pearl. Indeed the thought was so agonizne that l left the lounge long before the concert was over. seeking solace in the smoke-room.
 The room was deserted, save for the one-eyed man. Unwilling to arouse any latent suspicion in him, l had hitherto refrained from accost- ing him. But now I nodded pleas antly to him. It was my last chance to make his acquaintance, and I had not yet given up the idea that here was opportunity.
 But when I followed my nod with an invitation 10 join me in a pint of champagne, he brusquely refused. His one good eye shot suspicious glance at me. I noted that that eye was gray and that his glass eye matched the other.
 Rebuffed, I made no further effort, l drank my wine, rose, took turn around the deck, and went to~ my stateroom. l immediately undressed and went to bed, finally convinced that whatever the mystery of Hig- gins, the White Eagle and the one- eyed man, it was beyond my power to solve and profit by it.
 Somewhere along toward dawn, I was aroused by pounding at my door. l climbed rom my bed, threw dress Ing gown over my pajamas, and opened the door. A ships officer stood there.
 Sorry, sir" he said, but would you mind coming to the lounge?"
 What's the idea?" I asked. Shin on fire or something"
 He smiled deprecatingy. Nothing like that, sir, but one of the passen- gers has lost some jewelry. Rather
 
 Well, what's that to do with me ?" demanued.
 Nothing, sir. l hope" he replied, But the gentleman insists that all persons who passed by the door of his cabin tonight submit to search It's MT. Higgins sir-his wife's pearl. you and three other gentlemen have caolns in this corridor To reach your rooms you have to pass by the Higgins suite. The steward .on watch swears that no other people nave entered the corridor since Mr, and Mrs. Higgins retired"
 And because I happen to have a cabln In the same quarter of the shin With Higgins. I'm to be insulted by that swine, am I?" cried.
 The officer became more apolosetic swine is right sir, but I hope you'u make It easy for us. Of course. vou nave right to refuse. but that will only cause trouble on the dock. Tho captain presents his compliments sir ana hopes that you will avoid scandal TOT the ship ssake."
 IT you put it that way. to obliee 'he captaln-certainly, said I,
 followed him down the corridor across an open space and into tbe lounge. There were Mir. and Mrs Higgins and their servants, also tbora were two Englishmen, with whom iiau struck up a casual acuuaintance. ana to whom I nodded now. And ,heh saw the third of the gentlemen to whom the ships officer had 10. ferred. It was the one-eyed man '. iy
 We all submitted to search. We fahded over the keys of our baeeaee to an officer Half an hour later he returned with the statement that he had searched aUour effects and found no trace of the missing pearl Then one of the Englishmen did what had been wanting to do He walked over 10 Higgins.
 We've heard your story" he said ou returned from the concer, y,,, and your wife. She took off bor jewels and laid them on . t.h,o i. ,ier capin. She then went into your capin' 10 talk to you. When she TO- turned to her own room, five minutes ,a'el' the Ranee's Pearl was gone. some one had opened the door and stolen it. an"
 And It must have been somn mo Tn one of the cabins on the corridor" cried Higgins
 That's what you say" said tbe f1nsilshman. Tt doesn't matter to a vulgar beast like you that won in. suit your betters. Now we've .u been searched, and none of us has your filthy pearl. I merely want ,a teii you that I'm glad you lost if and that l hope the loss teaches you and your wife the vulgarity of ostentation Good evening sir"
 He turned on his heel, followed by ms compartiot. and stalked. witb what dignity man in a bathrohe may achieve, from the lounge.
 The one-eyed man came close to Higgins. and in rapid French assailed him. And then. suddenly. I under. stood. Not Higgins manner told me; the plutoerat acted his part too well But the light of one of the electric lamps flashed on the French.