Evening star., 1927-10-16

had the moonstones. well have thu
man who did the other jobs"
"You think so?"
"Why. isn't that what you said your
self, sir? wonder what's next after
the moonstones. and Now we know
what's next after Lady Silvertown's
diamonds were taken. You were al
| ways thinking the moonstona case was
fellow getting his hand in
| WAS II" Mr.. Fortune murmured
"T didn't say so. No. If / was a crack
| burglar who knew how to put his
hand on diamond necklaces and dia
mond tiaras. wouldn't bother with a
young doctors wife"
do you mean that wasn't bur
! glary. sir?"
! NO. 1t was a burglary all right
I Up the drain-pipe. Fine climbing"
We'll, there you are" Bell cried
"It wasn't worth doing, but 1t was
DONE"
Yes. 1t was DONE"
Look here. sir. II you didn't mean
there'd be other burglaries, what did
you mean with your what next?"
II meant it looked like leading to
something. / didn't know what.
don't know now"
''It looked like a cat burglar get.
ting to work again." said Bell. THAT
is pretty plain"
''Plain," Mr.. Fortune murmured.
"Oh, Peter. You haven't caught any
body. have you?"
You see we have to go by facts,
sir" Bell smiled. THAT makes us
so slow. Pargo's had two old hands
held for inquiries. Both of them put
up good alibis.''
There would be alibis. And that s
all you've got? Two healthy alibis?"
Well. there is another bit of work
doing. Pargo's got a line on fellow
who's going to have a lot to explain" :"
(Which case?" said Mr.. Fortune
sharply.
Bell smiled. when we've found
the man who did one. there won't be
any complaints"
Mr.. Fortune sank back in his chair.
"It beats me what you're worrying
about" Bell cried.
Mr.. Fortune made an odd gesture.
It's queer" he murmured. Don't
you feel it. Bell? It's queer"
Bell grinned. "No sir: not me. You
are seeing things. You will try to see
what isn't there"
You think soo Well, well. Let me
get the next alibi."
X X ~ X
RUT 1t was Mrs. Davis who
- brought him into the case again.
Two days afterward he was adjudi.
eating upon some burgundy-a ques-
ton between Musigny and Richie
bourg-when he heard her voice and
opened the dining room door. She
came like leaf on the wind. "Oh,
Mr.. Fortune. have you heard? They
have found my moonstones."
We'll, WELL" said Mr.. Fortune.
'I've just been to Scotland Yard to
identify them. They are my moon.
stones. And who do you think took
them? They say it was a chauffeur
who lived in the news. And we know
him, Mr.. Fortune. Such a nice man.
/ can't believe it. He drives for the
Durand garage. We often have car
from there and he generally takes US.
/ can't imagine it was he.
Don't YOU see? He's always been
so nice. It's horrid, getting him into
trouble
You aren't. You're only saying
your moonstones are yours. I'm
afraid you'll have to do that"
That's what Bill says. did think
you'd be able to help me, Mr.. For
tune
I'll go down to the court with you.
I'll have another look at the case"
II almost wish they hadn't got the
things back. That detective said he
didn't think they would"
He was wrong there" Mr.. For.
tune murmured. watching her with
large. solemn eyes.
''Oh, you make me frightened" she
cried.
Not me. I'm only seeing fair" said
Mr.. Fortune. But he had some trouble
in getting rid of her. 1t was an agi-
tated woman whom he deposited in
her house before he drove to Scotland
Yard.
There Supt. Bell beamed upon him.
well, you had your fun with me.
We haven't found another alibi. Not
this time. Has the lady told you?"
She says you've pinched her nice
chauffeur.
And got her moonstones. She was
not what you'd call grateful. Kind of
peevish." Bell gave a large. indul-
gent sigh. You never know, with
the ladies'
You think not? Well. well. How
did you get him.
You'd better see Fargo, sir. He's
made neat job of it,"