The Washington times., 1935-12-28


met them In various places in Eu-
rope under that name on the pass
port?"
Both chorussed an affirmative.
But they don't pass as husband
and wife!" declared Vernon. I'VE
know them as Mertina de Bray
q widow or divorcee-and Prince
Ivan Karinoff. an unfortunate
Russian .nobleman.
But Prince Karinon is dead!
He died In Constantinople about
fifteen months ago! He had no
relatives. I knew him well, and
so did Serge Metchaeva!"
Would you both be 50 very kind
If called upon. I mean-to re-
peat all this before witneSSes?"
Fannie deprecated: MY dear,
I'd like to help you. but I'd hate
to get into the newspapers. You
understand"
you won't. I promise you, you
won't. But I came all the way
down here by myself. commander.
ing the family car and all, to get
right to the bottom Of the Karin.
offde Bray.Metchaeva affair! Now
it's all tumbled into my lap.
thanks to your kindness! They'd
involved me terribly. you see-got
me all tangled up 50 1t looked as
though I couldn't break loose-as
though 1t we're going to cost my
father q huge sum Of money! I
can't tell you more just now-it
was a plot they hatched up be-
tween them"
Fannie patted Vernon's hand
kindly. Naomi and will be in
New York in a couple Of days.
and-if it's going to help you. my
dear-we1l be glad to talk TO your
father and mother"
Eleven o'clock that night found
Vernon safely back in the apart
in the Hotel Splendide. Sadie's
small eyes roamed sullenly and
inquisitively from her husband to
her daughter. There's a COM
pact between the two of you to
keep me in the dark! Neither OF
you trusts me with your secrets!"
Mother dear. you'll know
everything shortly now. Dad has
told you all he can. I'm definitely
on the track Of the necklace"
Morning brought a telegram
from Hot Springs from kindly
Fannie Frensham. HAVE BEEN
WORRIED ABOUT YOU so
HAVE PERSUADED NAOMI TO
LEAVE HERE ONE DAY
SOONER AND WE SHALL AR
RIVE AT FOUR O'CLOCK TO-
DAY FRIDAY AT THE HOTEL
PETERARNO."
1--WE asked the Prince to drop
in for tea at five today. so maybe
you'll have enough respect for
your mothers wishes this time.
and be here them" she snapped
at Vernon as the latter was get
ting ready to so out on another
mysterious mission.
Vernon quickly agreed.
How astonished poor Sadie
would have been were she to fol.
low her daughter down to the
lobby Of the Splendide and over.
hear her telephone McGraw, her
private detectiveI
Il want you to be here shortly
before five, this afternoon, Nc.
Graw. and stay downstairs near
the tower elevators. You have
that photoStatic copy Of the pass.
port that I gave you? Good.
You'll recognize him by the pic.
ture. Give him about five min
uteS to get upSairs, then follow.
and wait outside the door Of
apartment arc. If he attempts
to leave before I let you know.
stop him, remember!"
From there, Vernon emerged on
Park Avenue into bright sunshine.
A doorman handed her into q taxi
She directed the driver to take her
to the Customs House down on the
Battery.
After several waits, she found
herself in a room with three desks
in it. To q man at one Of them she
addressed herself.
This Is q confidential matter.
If you will look UP your records
you will be able to see whether or
not, on the third Of october Of
1892, a valuable diamond necklace
from Europe was declared by It's
owners on entering the Port Of
New York;"
"Huh2 What name7"
'Metchaeva."
After considerable searching in
heavy ledgers, she was definitely
informed that no diamond neck
lace had been declared" on that