Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-22
Stories by Famous Authors fire Printed
Complete in The Stars Sunday Magazine.
Each Story Is Carefully Selected and Each
Is an Outstanding Work by the Writer
Represented. ''7He German Song, by
II. c. Bailey, Is One of Those Thrilling
Yarns So Popular Nth Readers W|ho
Prefer Plenty of fiction in Their Stories.

IT may say that believe. said Sir Henry,
with some disdain. II have no interest in
things Of merely commercial value. There
must be artistic quality or historical signifi-
canoe I should venture to think that in its
small scope my little collection was not sur
passed in Europe"
He smiled. IT dare not speak of America"
Eyes, priceless. Yes, but speakin' as a thief.
the value was the value of the gold in the
n1eltin'-pot"
MY dear sir! What horrible thought"
Sir Henry shuddered. II do trust I earnestly
trust. you can prevent that outrage. My Greek
diadem melted down! The Etruscan necklace!
The beg your pardon, but pray let me
impress on you, it is not the punishment Of the
thief that am anxious for, but the recovery
Of my collection. II could be assured that 1t
was safe and In hands that would respect it,
believe I could bear the loss-but melted
down! An intolerable wrong"
Eyes. ] feel that. Yes" Reggie murmured
"The report was jewelry, SIR" Bell broke in.
"You only mentioned gold. Were there any
jewels-I mean to say, precious stones?"
Il have never cared for gems" Sir Henry
said. These pieces are simple wrought gold,
q band for the head necklaces, brooches, rings
and so forth"
Then, taking the ordinary crooks point Of
view, like Mr. Fortune said, there'd be nothing
in it but the bullion value Of the gold Would
you say there's any chance the things were
stolen-for another collector"
Good heavens! never thought of such O
thing. A burglar in the employ Of collector!
It's unheard Of"
you never know what you'll hear Of" Bell
smiled, but didn't mean that exactly Say
some chap knew where he could get proper
fancy price for the stun. Might be in with .
collector-some Of EN- aren't too particular,
are they? More likely with dealer. I'm ask
ing you, sir, do you know anybody who's keen
for such pieces as mine. But you must see
that. Many men would pay very high prices
that no one could dare show them. They are
unmatched" Sir Henry smiled. I'm afraid
you don't understand the collectors feelings.
A great part Of his satisfaction Is that others
should know he possesses his treasures. Cruel.
perhaps but man is So"
1T see that" Bell stuck to his point "But
IS there anybody particular you know about
after this kind Of STUFF" 'S
upon my word" Sir Henry was embar-
rassed after the way you have put it, I
hardly like to say-but it can't be secret Mr.
Hamilton. Tromp has been in treaty with me-"
Reggie was turning over the catalog Of the
collection. He looked up. Hamilton Tromp?"
said Tomas. "The American banker?"
II believe he was a banker. But a most
charming person. need not say he is alto
gether above my suspicion. In fact, he was
coming down to see the collection again today"
again. Oh, he had seen the things" Reggie
murmured
Certainly. He was here last week. He was
very much impressed. Really too f1attering, to
my Judgment"
Were you going to sell, sir?" asked Bell.
ct must own had contemplated it, Much
OF nv own pleasure in collecting is derived from
the search. When find that there IS a very
tions, I incline to accept it and employ the
money in acquiring objects Of another class not,
as yet, in equal demand"
LomaS smiled. quite. You like to set the
fashion in collecting"
st am to confess, my taste Is rather to seek
what the world has not yet learned to appre-
ciate. Or. perhaps, make a pleasure Of ne
cessity. I cannot compete with the new
wealth."
0VNELL, sir, Mr.. Hamilton Tromp wanted
the things" Bell was growing impa-
tient. Had he made you an offer"
'I think may say that-in confidence. He
spoke of twenty thousand pounds"
The chief constable whistled. "You hadn't
accepted that?" said Bell sharply.
my dear sir shall We say that was con-
templating it?"
Sir Henry smiled. "Mr. Tromp was coming
to see the collection again, you see. Perhaps
hoped that he might find it still more at
tractive"
Let him think he'd have to bid higher to
get it? I see."
THAT was perhaps in my mind" Sir Henry's
smile took an engaging twist 1T would ap-