The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-08-03

Mona could have accepted the jew. els while at the same time he un- derstood 1t was impossible. show us The Empress, Steve Mona said to hide her confusion Steve's face lighted. He raised his eyes and for a moment looked thoughtful. "I'd love to see fortune rolled up in one stone the size of a pea
 nut" Lottie sighed. Steve said nothing and Barry put in briskly, There aren't many like this one! Steve keeps it right
 here in this apartment"
 Risky, isn't it?" Mona asked
 quietly.
 Risky Sure. What isn't risky nowadays? It seems," Steve's voice , became suddenly bitter, that it's
 even risky to offer a gift to an old friend. If 1t hadn't been for you, Mona, those diamonds would never have been mined. wouldn't have finished the job without you to think about"
 Save the necklace for wedding present." Barry suggested hastily
 Maybe she'll wear it then"
 twill you, Mona?" Something in Steve's voice fright
 ened the girl. "Yes," she answered
 T will. If only you don't stipulate
 whom I shall marry when the time comes."
 ''I'll leave that to you." Steve
 said gravely.
 "But about the Empress Barry reminded. Even I don't know where he keeps that
 'The Empress? Oh, yes." Steve strengthened. "Tell you what did
 with it. Remember, I know a thing or two about crooks. There was g man in the old gang named Bridgie Hayden. He was a 'dip'-used tC steal jewels right from the necks | of women who came into the SUD- per club. Time after time police would be called in but no one could ever find the diamonds on Bridgie
 He'd sit there drinking ginger ale
 and maybe eating a sandwich be-
 fore a bowl of cracked ice. The table would be cleared right under the eyes of the police and there
 were the jewels, hidden in the bowl of ice!"
 'Is the Empress to be found
 among the sardines and mara schinos?" Lottie asked. Steve smiled and shook his head
 Mot exactly. I put it in the top ice tray of the refrigerator" ''The refrigerator" Even Barry | gasped in amazement. Barry had
 not guessed Steve's hiding place. "Yes. I bent the tray so Morgan couldn't take it out very easily and would be sure to use the lower one
 when he needed ice cubes. The Elm. press is as secure there as 1t would
 be locked in a safe!"
 "Oh, Steve-you didn't! Worth 6
 fortune and you left it waiting te slide into somebody's ginger ale!' Let's see it, Steve!"
 "Wait," Steve said mysteriously He rose, twirled the dial of the
 radio and strains of dance music
 foated into the softly lighted room He and Lottie whirled into 6 dance while Mona and Barry sat watching. The dance ended and the four had a few hands of bridge. The game was going merrily when the telephone rang. Steve answered to return with a serious face. He looked at Mona sympatheti- cally. 'It's for you," he said seri- lousy. Buds downstairs and wants you to come home. He has a cah waiting. Said he'd rather Barry and I didn't come along" Mona's face had drained of color as she rose.
 "Ill go with you," Lottie said disappearing into the region where they had left their coats. She was back with Mona's wraps before the other girl had gathered herself to- gether sufficiently to speak. Don't worry" Barry begged as he helped Mona into he. coat. Bud appeared then at the door of ] the apartment. Its nothing really, he said. "Ma just felt bad and
 wanted you home. I'll get a doctor if you say so~ I don't thing it's anything serious, though" The three stood waiting for the
 elevator.
 Mona" Steve said, I'm sorry Bud thinks we shouldn't go with you. Telephone us, will you, when you get home? We'll be here" He paused uncertainty and then added
 "Or wait-we're due at the club, Telephone us there if you don't hear from us."
 Mona agreed. The elevator ar- rived and the anxious little group dispersed.
 "The clvb?" Barry asked in a puzzled tone. Are we going there?"
 For answer steve shook his head mysteriously and showed Barry into the apartment. "Do you thing I'd
 have let that girl go Lome alone if I thought her mother was really ill?"
 Rapidly he examined the outer door of the apartment. A flicker of annoyance passed over his face.
 "Then you said that-?" Barry began.
 (TO Be COntinued)