Evening star., 1933-01-03
by NINA WILCOX PUTNAM

the Arc de Triomphe, turned twice to
progress crabwise in the middle of the
Champs Elysees, narrowly escaped COL
lision with more than one taxi, but
finally arrived at the Quai d'Orsay
without injury. 1t was after IL when
Alacia pounded on the door and wrung
reluctant consent to go upstairs from
the concierge. Then she waited with
fast-beating heart while slow steps in
the corridor Of the apartment came in
answer to her summons. The old wom-
an who opened for her, admitted that
the men were still in the library. and
without waiting to be announced she
brushed ahead and went in Armand
and Piron sat by the little electric
heater. discussing decanter Of fine
and bowl of green almonds, but the
prefet had apparently taken his de-
parture.
did they lock you out?" asked Ar
mand, greeting her. Good! Then
we'd better be married at once? You
see what comes of loving e criminal"
Il see what comes of associating with
them," she said with what was meant
to be an impressive air. "Unhand me,
man, while / produce my evidenced"
"Tiens!" said M. Piron, resplendent
in brocaded dressing gown and GRIM
son carpet slippers. so you are a de-
tective now, eh? And what new thrill
has brought you back so late? Or did
you perhaps come for one?" This with
wag of his head In Armand's direc-
tion.
DO be seriousl" cried Alacia. Both
Of you. Please listen, because I've
found out something terribly impor-
tant, and every minute may count.
Look at this. will you?" From the
pocket of her coat she produced the
stub of the cigarette with the green
tip, and laid it carefully on the table
under the lamp. M. Prion adjusted his
rose glasses and peered at the object
and then at Alacia, agape with simu-
lated horror. Armand shook his head
in sorrow.
Poor little grill" he said "She is
reduced to picking up butts from the
gutteri Piron, can we spare her a
decent smoke?"
Hush up, dunmiesl" said Alacia,
laughing despite herself you don't
realize the significance OF this priceless
jewel, so I viii forgive you 1t is not,
as you think, an emerald. 1t is ruby.
AT least it is a darned good indication
Of where those rubieS are, and if We
hurry, We can catch up to theml"
"'What?' exclaimed Armand, aroused
at last. Have you really found out
something? Where did this remarkable
treasure come from. anyhow"
Il found this in Santini's tool box"
she told them. 1T was lying on a
bundle of chamios and in that bundle
were my mothers rubies, or I'm fool"
Did you see them?" demanded old
Piron eagerly. Where are they now?"
I did not see them" Alacia was
forced to admit. But I felt them and
know. They are now on their way to
Monte Carlo" And she told them,
then, exactly what had occurred
DO you think santin1 realizes what
when she had finished. did he
actually see the bag In your hands?"
Il can't be sure" said she, because
the car was between us. And he doesn't
know have this other scrap Of evi-
dence, to wit. Mr.. Ramon Cabereos
cigarette butti"
Ramon Cabereoi" exclaimed Ar
mand. "Of course, I've noticed him
smoking them. He even took the
trouble once, to boast that they are
made for him especially"
IF M. Jessant will begin his finger
printing there" suggested the girl, Il
don't believe he'll have to go much
further. It's perfectly plain that
Santini and he worked together in
| some way. Meanwhile what are we to
do?'
Yes, what is there to do?" questioned
M. Plron, doubtfully, walking up and
| down and flecking the tails Of his
dressing gown out behind him agi-
| tatedly. You have nothing to go on ex-
cept one miserable specimen Of cigar
cite stub and a lot of feminine intu-
1tion. EncouteZ moi bien, do not say
you are wrong, but l am afraid it is
hardly police evidence. If we call up
Jessant and tell him this, he is going
to bs annoyed at being awakened
DO you mean the police can't be
telephoned to at some point ahead to
stop the car and examine it?" Alacia
was wild-eyed at the thought. why
can't they ask to see the car papers or
something? They DO that often for
no apparent reason! I've even had it
happen to mel"
All! but that was because they were
trying to catch people whose car tax
wasn't paid" Piron explained mo, l
hardly think an examination of the car
itself could be arranged even though
the officials at any octroi are entitled
to search for contraband cabbage and
eggs, or even sausage. at the entrance
TO each town. But to get the proper
instructions broadcast would take time"
The octroi service can't help us in
the least" said Armand briefly. This
IS either a police job, or it's not. In
either case there is just one thing to do,
and that is stop Santinl before he gets
away, and SO far we are only wasting
time talking instead Of acting. Alacia,
is your car outside?"
"Yes!" she said Full Of gas and
oil. hoped you'd ask that
Then" said Armand, Its up to me
to catch him God knows no matter
how soon he's oyertaken it may be too
late! But if he really is not suspicious,
the chances are he won't try to cache
those stones Immediately. If he'd in
| tended leaving them close to Paris he'd
have got rid Of them during the early
| part of the evening""