The Washington times., 1931-01-21

of infatuat1on. CONNIE came
into the room slightly downcaSt.
Jewels Cost q Lot
"As far as I'm concerned I'd
Just as soon not own pearl or
a diamond, or any jewel, as long
as I live" she said, pessimiStic'
ally. "They cost a lot Of money
and are always getting lost or
stolen. That's one advantage
the downright poor have; they
don't have to worry over money
or property or possessions. I'm
convinced the only free people
on earth are the poorW
Jim Tracy joined them; stood
with his feet spread apart and
his hands in the pockets Of his
coat.
"Well, what's the verdict?
Where do we go from here? Has
Mr.. Carson evolved any solu-
ton of the mystery in the last
few minutes?" -.
IT don't suppose he has, jim"
Connie said, looking straight at
Tracy. IF it didn't seem such
a scandalous waste of money
I'd say we ought to let the whole
business go hang"
Carson shook his head. "You
can't do that. Unpleasant facts
can't be lodged. Besides, there
are three of us here-Kitty, Mr..
Tracy and myself-who are
Obliged to do everything possible
to find the thief and try to get
the pearls back. It's not pleas
ant to say, but I'm sure that
each of us would come under
suspicion if the police were
called in"
'Nonsense!" Connie exclaim-
ed.
"You can speak for yourself,
if you like, Carson" Tracy said,
abruptly. IT decline to be listed
as a suspicious character myself. &.
Carson Is Emphatic
Nevertheless, I'm afraid my
statement must stand" Carson
told him directly. Kitty and
1 are virtually strangers in this
house and our past associates
have been none too good. Rest
assured, we'd certainly be sus-
pected by the police. AS Tor
yourself, Mr.. Tracy, your fairy
story about being held up last
night would be almost evidence
of guilt"
Tracy suddenly paled slightly.
What do you mean, talry
story? Are you insinuatlng L
lied about it?"
Not insinuating-I'm telling
you you lied about it," Carson
told him, his voice restrained
and prefectly level. Il hap
pened to be watching you when
you drove to the crossroads
turned and switched of your
lights and came back in less
than half an hour. You did
not drive, as you said, three
miles away, which may have
some bearing on Mrs. Calvert's
pearls. I don't think you could
explain how you concocted such
a story. Was it because you
hoped to create imagination
that two robbers were in the
house last night?"
Tracy looked at him with fire
in his eyes. "All of that" he
said, warningly, "is a damn lie"
Duke Holds Whip Hand
IT don't mind being called a
liar by you," Carson remarked.
1T won't take me very long, I
think, to establish the truth of
what I said. You claim your
wallet was stolen, do you?"
What are you driving at?"
Tracy demanded, angrily.
Just this: think your whole
story is a fabrication. If I am
right, you still have your wal
let in your possession right now.
Suppose you turn out your
pockets, just to prove to these
young ladies, if you like, that /
am a damn liar"
Kitty looked at Carson an
grily; the blue-violet of her
eyes deepened in color almost
to black as her feeling welled
up.
What do you think you are
pulling off on Jim?" she asked
Carson. Are you trying to i'm
plicate him in this busineSs?"
"Oh, please don't act this
way!" Connia exclaimed. mo
body suspects Jim; it's ridicu-
louS."
Nevertheless" Carson said,
calmly, II think he is able to
produce his wallet right now If
he likes, and prove to us he
lied about the holdup. Let us
see that wallet, please, Mr..
Tracy"
Carson stepped forward, and
as he did Tracy retreated from
him slowly.
Continued Tomorrow
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