The Bismarck tribune., 1924-08-07
BEGIN HERE TODAY

John Ainsley, a man of educatio
and breeding, becomes a maste
crook-preying upon other thieve.
Posing as a millionaire, he goes t
the estate of wealthy retired brok
err, kernochan, to steal large rub
ring belonging to Kernochan's daugh
ter, who is engaged to Earnest Van
tine, chief owner of dctectiv
! agency. ...
Having acquired a paste copy o
the ruby from an elderly widow, it
former owner, Ainsley substitute
the imitation for the real ring whel
the lights go out in the library. Blu
the substitution is discovered, an,
Vantine prepares to search Ainslcy.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
Vantine smirked. 81 am dealin,
with a desperate criminal, Alice. Blu
Ainsley is dealing with detectiv.
of some reputation. Would Grim
inal, as daring as this man, leave this
house without the object for which
he has risked his liberty? Certainly
not. Look at his face. The ring is
somewhere in this room; he pickec
it up"
"Oh, end this farce" l cried.
stretched my hands wide. The girl
was seated in chair. She wore ar
elaborate coiffure, piled high upon
her head. In the depression above
her crown, formed by coil of chest
nut hair-her only attractive posses
sion-I placed the Grand Dukes ring
My hands were quicker than their
eyes, and l stepped closer to Van
tine, saying wearily: "Search met
Twenty minutes later l was dress
cd again. Miss Kernochan had re-
turned. She had sat down again in
the chair. l had plucked the ring
from her hair and it reposed snugly
in my waistcoat pocket once again.
Yes, in those days l was an anna
teur; but l leave it to you who read
my memoirs, to decide whether or
not l showed, even at the outset of
my career, flashes Of that genius
which SINCE have rendered me incom-
parable.
"Let's talk this over" suggested
Kernochan. He made wry mouth.
"You have us on the hip, Mr.. Aims
ley. But you must realize that you
can never take the ring out of sthis
room. And we are convinced that it
is somewhere in this room."
$50 am L." l declared. 81 think
it's about time that you and
searched Vantine."
Vantine laughed, but there was
anger in his mirth. "You're well
come, Mr.. Kernochan," he said. :.
But the suggestion was too absurd
for kernochan to entertain. | give
you my word, had Vantine been
searched l would have found the
ring upon him. But in that event
might have lost the ruby ring
Lets sit down, have some coffee
and talk this over" persisted kerno-
chan. ~ won't use harsh words, Mr..
Ainsley. But that ring is here. You
brought paste copy"
raised my hand. "All of this,
Mr.. kernochan, this unfounded libel,
will be paid for in court"
Il don't want lawsuit any more
than you want Il criminal prosecu-
tion," he said. "'And we'll hardly
have one without the other. But
DO want the ring" He ordered the
butler, who had assisted in the sec
ond search Of me, to bring coffee.
Were all excited and under a
strain, and a cup of coffee will help
US to look at the matter sensibly."
The butler left; sat down. "Go
ahead" l said to Kernochan.
He urged, pleaded and threatened.
was adamant. told him that
had been insulted, and that if my de-
parture were much longer impedcd,
l would have satisfaction. in the
courts. The butler entered, bringing
coffee. refused to partake, and
started boldly for the door. Vantine
leaped to his feet.
"You can't go,p he cried.
l turned and advanced to the table
on which were set the cups of cof-
fee. / guessed, l thought, his inten-
tion.
II suppose" I said, "that you are
going to search me again."
l really thought that he was; mind
you, the man was beside himself in
wrathful humiliation. Only the fear
that l might after all be what l
claimed to be-. and the fear of rdi-
cule which l had promised, restrained
him. But I did not know that he
would be restrained, and so l slipped
the ring into cup of coffee, not
however, into the cup that had been
set at the vacant place at the table
which was meant for me: | Slipped
it Into, Vantine's.
He eolored furiously. He felt as
ridiculous as he was. .No, I'm no,
going to search you," he almos,
roared.
! bowed to him. 'In that case"
said, 81 shall drink Mr.. Kernochan'
Coffee"
Something within me gave warn
ing; instead of. picking up vantine'
cup, Il chose. the one meant for me
And before could put it to my lips
Vantine's fingers, gripped my wrist
$50, that's where. you hid it," h,
cried. =. ~a......-s.. .f.,
Don't be- absurd Ernest" sal,
Miss Ker6ochan petslantly. "Th'
coffee was just brought in"
But Vantine must ave seen some
thing triumphant in my eyes, for h,
poured the coffee out. part1of it, int,
the. saucer, and. then CROPPED in tn.
liquid remaming in the cup, Then
forgetful Of the, presence of. hi
fianceet he cursed angrily. ~
sslf' all detectives. are as stupid a.
you, Vantine;" IL told him., 81, won,
der that more people don't go in fol
kbA$ 7 . fx