Evening star., 1939-07-30
Continued from pose five

Accordingly, as CHANGED to know
the auctioneers disposing of the
kraconia fittings, made this private
purchase before the public sale"
He paused, and over the face Of
Arkwright, whose habitually fresh
color had been reduced by illness, l
saw the queerest expression stealing.
This panel" De Treville con-
tinued. has been in the baggage room
of the hotel from the time that l
bought it. am about to show it to you"
One swift glance Greta shot at
Arkwright, and then, lowering her
lashes, began with unsteady fingers
to take cigarette from a box
Trevvy rang the bell. The door
swung widely open. and Perigal came
in carrying massively carved panel.
identical in every way with the four
which decorated the dining room at
Baxter's. This was set up against the
wall. As Perigal turned to 60. De
Treville said" You have not rescrewed
the medallion?'
mo, sir" Perigal went out.
looked at Arkwright. He was
staring down at the carpet. l looked at
Greta. Very deliberately. she was
lighting cigarette.
II paid high price. not knowing
that Trenk was bidding for the other
set Later, for certain reasons, de-
cided not to mention the matter.
realize now, however, that the price
was not too high. On returning from
her last cruise. which included Euro
pean ports. the kraconio was searched
from stem to stern by Customs officers
for consignment of smuggled dia-
monds. No diamonds were found. Am
l right there, MIR. Arkwright?"
''Yes. you are right" Arkwright
glanced up swiftly then down again.
''On my return from the Trenks' l
had this panel brought up here and
unscrewed the medallion. have re-
placed it, but have not the screws"
He stood upon chair = he was
tall man and long of arm - reached
up. and pulled the medallion from
its place. He could just get his fingers
into the recess revealed - and from
it he drew a wash leather bag. He
stepped down, and extended the bag
towards Arkwright on the palm OF his
right hand. This is what found"
Greta sprang from her chair and
walked to the further end of the room,
standing with her back towards us.
Arkwright stood up and faced De
Treville. II know now why we are
here tonight" he said in a hoarse
voice. land you know why the panel
ing at Baxter's was tampered with"
Il do"
There were only five of these par
ticular panels in the set. They we're all
alike As assistant-purser, learned
long time ago that the medallions
could be unscrewed. Now listen -
and don't judge me too harshly. On
that last voyage. acting on informa-
ton from Hamburg. discovered
diamonds in the cabin OF a certain
passenger - this in the course of my
duty, although the passenger was not
in his cabin at the time. l thought
quickly needed money i. -" He
glanced at the bowed shoulders of the
girl at the other end of the room
There's no need to tell you why l
needed money. l knew they were
smuggled. l fell, took chance. l
didn't report what had found"
He paused, gave twisted smile.
shot a glance at me and then went on:
The passenger dared not make any
complaint. That's clear. But l had to
get rid of the diamonds. That night,
when the smoke room was empty,
removed one medallion. and slipped
the bag behind it. knew of dealer
in New York who would buy without
asking questions - and couldn't
roc;ct tho foundation