HARRISON KEITH'S QUEER CLUE;

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2644, 13 October 1919, Page 2

HARRISON KEITH'S QUEER CLUE;

(All Rights Reserved.)

AMONG THE “ REDS.” BY NICHOLAS CARTER, Author of “The Finger of Suspicion,’? “With Bullet and Steel,” “The Woman of Evil,” Etc., Etc. PART 12. “What noncscnsc ! I was at a ball. You saw me there,” she said, with affected scorn. “I was at the ball. I was also at the meeting. So were my three assistants over there ” ‘Dot's right,” interjected Mike. “We all seen dc guys in de big beards an’ long coats, an’ we wuz fixed up wit’ whiskers ourselves. Gee ! I kin feel dem ticklin’ my chin yet.” “Silence, Mike !” ordered Keith. .“I will tell you how you got into the vault, Mrs. Reeves. Beau Bridgeman, an expert cracksman, with xhe use of a voltaic battery cut a hole in the floor of the vault. To you who are quick, keen, and with an indomitable nerve, was deputed the job of lifting the diamond. I use these cant terms, Mrs. Reeves, because I have noted that you arc familiar with them.” The woman burst into a loud laugh as the detective paused, although Malagoff was scowling so savagely that his eyes were almost hidden by his heavy black brows. “I never heard a wilder story in my life,” she said, at last, as soon as she could control her mirth, or seem to do so. CHAPTER XXX. PROOFS AND MORE PROOFS.

Harrison Keith backed into the consul tation-rcom, taking the revolver with him, and keeping bis eyes fixed on the prince and Mrs. Reeves. He felt in the inside pocket of his evening coat, which he had thrown upon a chair before lying down on the sofa, and brought back something in the hollow of his hand. “You think it is a wild story, do you, Mrs. Reeves ?” “Absolutely absurd !” “But if I have proof ?” “You cannot have proof.” “I think I have. I will prove it by two or three unwilling witnesses before the Deutschland sails at halfpast ten this morning, and T will prove it beyond peradventure.” “Half-past ten ! And it is now only four. Could you not bring forward something in the nalture of proof before that time ?” “Yes.” He suddenly held out, in the light of the lamp, the lace handkerchief he had found in the coal-shute ! She started voilontly, despite her effort to control herself. “Here is something in the way of proof,” lie said. “It has the initials ‘M.V/.P.R.,’ embroidered on one corner, and it is like that you have in your hand. Permit me.” Bifore she could divine his intention he had taken from her the handkerchief she held and spread it on the table by the side of the grimy one he had held up as proof of her crime. “They are exactly the same, as you can sec, and,” holding it to his nose for an instant, “they carry the same orour —a perfume that I happen to know no one else in New York uses, because you are wealthy enough to have it made for your exclusive use. This handkerchief was found by me in a certain place where the person who stole the diamond dropped it. Are yon satisfied now ?”

“No !” she screamed. “It is absurd, ridiculous, false ! I lost the handkerchief several days ago. Besidrs, no one would believe that Mrs. Reeves would do the dreadful things you charge. It is too stupid to talk about ! Do you know that I am Mrs. Reeves, formerly the wife of a man who belongs to one of the oldest families in New York ? Do you know I am Mrs. Waldo Pierce Reeves ?” “Yes,” said Keith coldly. “I know also that you are called Sophia Verinsky, the woman who would do all for the anarchistic cause in Russia.” “Where did you get that handkerchief ?” she demanded. “In the coal-cellar leading from the vault where the Van Vender diamond was kept until stolen.” “The charge that I crawled through a place like that is out of the question,” was her reply. “You were caught by me opening my safe in this room, and, notwithstanding your ingenious explanation, I must say that your story is utterly unbelievable. It was generous of you to risk arrest for burglary for the sake of Prince Malagofi. But Sophia Verinsky has the reputation of daring much for the cause of the Russian people, and I must beg leave to doubt all you have told me as to how you came to crack ray safe.” She smiled scornfully, while her cr lip tightened a little more. “What are you going io do about this ?” broke in Malagofi, who had been glancing uneasily at Dick, Mike, and Hans. “You will know later,” answered Keith coldly. “Meanwhile, I must request you to sit still.” “I only wanted to remark,” snarled Malagofi, “that you are altogether mistaken in your suspicion of this lady. She did open the safe at my request, and I maintain that, as the trustee of my imperial master in this country, I have a right to find the property when it has been removed from my custody by a crime.” “I do not agree with you, Prince Malagofi, as to your right to break into a private house, no matter what may be your motive. However, what 1 am seeking to show just now is that the stone was taken from the vault by—Sophia Verinsky.” “Mrs. Waldo Pierce Reeves, if you please,” broke in that lady. “We will not. argue about that at present,” observed Keith coolly. “1 have shown that your handkerchief was found in the coal-cellar, under

the sidewalk, and it is fair to infer that yon dropped it there. But I have further proof.” The lower lip of the pretty young woman became a straight, hard line, while Malagoff leaned forward in his chair.

The detective opened a drawer in his desk and drew forth a garment of blue jean—a blouse, such as is usually worn with overalls of the same material. “What is that ?” she gasped. He held ic up'so that she could see it,remarking, “I have the rest of the costume, but I think this will be ; enough to show you that I have not made the charge of robbery against you without reason.” “Nonsense !” she ejaculated. ■ “’Phis blouse was worn by you when you made your way fi am the bottom of the vault wth the Van Yonder diamond,” said l ao detective steadily. “If you wish to kn n/ how I associate it with you, let n.c say that it carries strongly the perfume which von alone possess, and which I ‘ ; is part of your personality.” j “Rubbish !” | “I don’t think so. But if you wish 'still further proof, I can produce it.”' Malagoff and the defiant beauty glanced at each other, as if wondering what next he would do to fasten upon her shoulders the crime that had puzzled so many people for more than twenty-four hours. I “Dick !” said Keith to his assis- | taut. “Go up-stairs and bring down j your prisoner.” I “All right !” I “If you think you need help, take Mike.” “I don’t need help. He will not resist. He is willing to come and tell what he knows. He has told me so over and over again,” replied Dick, as he disappeared. For several minutes not a word was spoken. Mrs. Reeves lazily fanned herself, as she lounged, a radiant vision, in the large chair, while Malagoff gnawed his nails and looked at i the detective with the expression of ; a haunted animal. I Suddenly the door from the hall was flung open and Dick came in. “Here he is !” he announced. Beau Bridgeman stepped into the room, and stood looking from the detective to the prince, but without turning his eyes towards the woman in the chair. It seemed as if he were afraid of her. She, on her part, had started up from her lounging attitude, and was trying to catch his eye. Perhaps she I knew that, if she could do it, she j would have the power to stop what- , ever revelations he intended to make, j “This gentleman is known to you, j prince and Mrs Reeves, as Lord Vascelles, I believe,” said Keith. “He has other names that he commonly I uses when he does not care to be known by his title, being Beau, or Beaumont Bridgeman.” j “I have had the pleasure of meetI ing Lord Vascelles,” purred Mrs. Reeves. j “I also know Lord Vascelles,” add--1 ed Malagoff, who had been staring at him as if fie were a ghost from the other world.

j “Exactly. Now, Lord Vascelles, | will you tell us what you know about 1 the Van Yonder robbery ?” : Beau Bridgeman grinned at the alj most collapsing Malagofi, and began, in harsh tones, which came gratingly | through his nearly closed teeth : | “First, I should like to say that this man, who calls himself Prince Malagofi, is no more a prince than I am , a lord. Pie is a Russian anarchist, named Paul Samovitch, who has taken Prince Malagoff’s name. He can, perhaps, toll you what became of Prince Malagofi. That is his affair. I have never heard the particulars. I do not think this man will ever return to Russia, however, except in disguise and with the utmost caution.” | “Toll u.s about the diamond,” said : Keith, ignoring these revelations. | “I was engaged by Malagofi to help his intended wife, Sophia Verinsky, ; to burglarize the diamond-vault. I 1 did so, and the woman brought out the stone.” j “Why have you revealed this, Lord ! Vascelles ?” asked Keith, at the same ' time giving a sign to Dick and Mike which was unobserved by either Malagofi or the woman. | “Because these two people have double-crossed me. They have tried to cheat me out of my share. What |is more, they left me, tied up and handcuffed, in the cellar of a house down town, on the East Side, where j I should be now had I not been res- : cued by ” ! “Exactly. I sec,” interrupted the j detective, who did not believe in tell- : ing too much of bis doings until he I was ready. I Dick and Mike suddenly seized Mrs. Reeves from behind, and held her in her chair, much against her will. At the same time Hans Brinkcrman stepped close to Malagofi and dexterously slipped a pair of handcuffs upon his wrists before he realized his danger.

“This is a pleasant performance, my dear Mr. Keith,” laughed the woman, gaily as ever. “You were only just in time, too.” “So I saw,” was Keith’s quiet answer. “Dick, take that pistol out of Mrs. Reeves’ lap.” Dick Rogers threw . aside the operacloak, which bn.d lain carelessly across the filmy ball-dress, and took from her lap a handsome pearl-moun-ted revolver —quite capable of killing any one at such short range. Keith took the weapon from Dick and put it in his pocket. “It will be safer there than anywhere, I think,” he remarked, with a smile.

CHAPTER XXXI. TWO WITNESSES. It was nine o’clock, and the sunlight streamed into the comfortable living room of Harrison Keith, as lie walked ui> and down by. himself, while the remains of his breakfast, which lie had taken alone, occupied part of the big table on its own white covered tray. Ho was quite alone, and, as he lighted his favourite briar and puffed comfortably, lie looked like anything but a man who had been up all night.

‘‘So, the end of the game draws near,” he mused. ‘‘l have Malagoff and the fair Sophia well in hand. They are at Dykeman’s before this, I have no doubt, with Dick, Mike, and Hans watching them, and Beau Bridgeman —whose longing for revenge on the man and woman who betrayed him holds him more securely than handcuffs—is there, too. I shall have to spring ray mine pretty soon, I suppose. It will be rather interesting. Ah ! There is some one at the door.”

He had heard the chugging of an auto, and now the electric bell sounded in the room. “Hr. and Mrs. Palmer-Robinson,” ! announced his servant. I The words had hardly been spoken when Mrs. Palmer-Robinson ran in ahead of her husband and put her dainty gloved hand in his. The millionaire followed at a slower and more dignified pace, but his greeting was quite as warm as his wife’s if one allows for the wide difference in I temperament. “We are in plenty of time, Mr. Keith, are we not ?■’ she asked, look-* ing at the clock on the mantelpiece. | “Yes. We can ride around to Fifty-seventh Street in a few minutes. Shall we go in your machine, or is it necessary for mo to get another ? My own auto has gone already, and has not returned.” j “Ride with us, of course,” answered Mr. Palmer-Robinson. Then, in a lower tone, unheard by his wife, lie ! continued : “I cannot express my ' gratitude deeply enough for what you have done for us. I never really doubted her, you know, but ”

1 “I understand. It was all the work of one rascal, but I hope he will not have an opportunity to do much 1 more mischief of any kind.” ! They went around to John DykeI man’s house and were ushered into j the front parlour, which they found 1 occupied by all the persons whom Keith had desired to be present ; when he fulfilled his promise to pro- ! duce the Van Vonder diamond. Hugh I Allen was there, although John Dyke--1 man glanced at him with an expresI sion not altogether favourable ; j Prince Malagoff, minus the handcuffs which the detective had felt it desirable to place on him when there was danger of his trying to escape, a few hours before ; Mrs. Reeves, still in her ball-dress, but wdth an automoI bilecoat over her gay attire ; Mina Dykcman, and Harrison Keith’s three assistants.

| Having seen Mr. and Mrs. Palmer- | Robinson comfortably seated, Keith got down to business in his brisk way. Standing behind a small table, which he had pulled purposely to a spot as far distant from Malagofi and the divorcee as he could, he de- ! liberately took from a small chamois , leather pouch hanging around his I neck the Van Vender diamond ! I Holding it aloft, he watched closely ; the eyes of Malagofi and Mrs Reeves, | as he said quietly ; | “This is the diamond that was I stolen, and I shall turn it over to j the persons entitled to hold it. Who ; are Mr. Palmcr-Robinson and ” ; “Prince Malagofi and myself,” put in John Dykeman quickly. “I am afraid not,” replied Keith. “Prince Malagofi . will not be allowed to take it, for reasons well known to him, and which reasons I will state to this company if he desires me to do so.” “You needn’t,” he growled. “There arc no reasons why I should not have it, anyhow,” put in John Dykeman. “I shall not give it to either you | or Mr. Palmer-Robinson until the I' third person expected here arrives,” said Keith. “Meanwhile, now that I have shown you the stone—which, I I may add, is perfectly cut and polishj od, according to the expert testimony | of John Dykeman, Hugh Allen, and Franz Straus —I will restore it to its place in this bag, and keep it on my person.” There was a strange fire now in the eyes of the languid Mrs. Reeves, who had been chatting in low tones to Mrs. Palmer-Robinson, as if there were nothing on her mind except the desire to escape from a rather boresome gathering. “She would like to fiy at my throat,” thought Keith. “But it is not likely that she will do it. Still, I do not know what will be her next move.” “Mr. Keith,” said Prince Malagofi suddenly, stroking his moustache in the aristocratic manner he had affected before the exposure of his real name and character. “I have arranged to sail on the steamer Deutschland, which leaves at half-past ten. is there any reason why I should remain longer?” “Yes. I am expecting another gentleman—an official, who will have something to say on this diamond matter.” “An official, eh ? A policeman, my dear Mr. Keith?” inquired Mrs. Reeves, in her most careless manner. “I think I may got you to the Deutschland by half-past ten—if you decide finally to go,” said Keith, ignoring Mrs. Reeves’ question, and addressing Malagofi. “Now, Mr. Dykeman, T wish to speak on another subject, which is of the utmost importance to two young people in this apartment.” “Some other time,” answered Dykeman hastily. “I have.no time to be bothered with that just now.” “I think you have,” insisted Keith significantly, j “I have changed my mind,” blus- | tered the diamond importer, j “Why ?” “Because —the threat you made against me in your own house at two o’clock this morning does not weigh with me when T come to think about j it in the broad light of day.” “It was not a threat. It was a 'statement of fact, Mr. Dykeman.” 1 “I think otherwise,” replied the diamond importer, with a lordly air. , “I am not accustomed to being contradicted, either. I say that I will not allow my daughter to marry i Hugh Allen, and that he is discharg- | ed from my employ. If you have proof that he was concerned in the theft of this diamond, I will push the case against him.” ‘‘Mr. Dykeman !" shouted Hugh iu-

dignantly. “Keep quiet, Hugh !” warned Keith calmly. “Mr. Dykcman only suggested that you might be concerned in the robbery- I will assure him that you had nothing to do with it.” “Who did, then ?” roared Dykcman. “You said you would produce the Van Yonder diamond. That you have done. You promised also, that you would produce the thief —or thieves—by ten o’clock.” “I did. You have already seen the diamond, which I showed you at half-past nine, instead of ten, to give those who might desire to sail on the steamship time to get to the pier by ten-thirty. It will not be ten o’clock for twenty minutes. I promised to point out the theif, or thieves, at ten o’clock.” i “Well, we must wait,” grumbled Dykcman. “When do you expect the. official here ?” asked Malagofl angrily. “Very soon. He is hero now. I sec him through the window. There is another gentleman with him, who is here at my request.” There was a pause, as the servant answered the door, and then two persons entered the room. One looked like a prosperous business man, with a decidedly foreign air aoout him, while the other was.a clergyman beyond all question. “The Rev. Mr. Williams,” said Keith, at which the clergyman bowed to the company, and sat down in a chair placed for him by the detective. “Who is that ?” asked Dykeman, aside, of Palmor-Rohinscn. Harrison-Keith answered the query by pointing to the business man, whose gaze was only a little less keen than the detective’s own, and saying, with a smile : “This is Prince Witzkoff, personal representative of his imperial majesty, Nicholas, who has been in New York several days, to take the Van Yonder diamond back to Russia. Prince, with the sanction of Mr. Pal-mer-Robbinson, I will hand you the Van Yonder diamond, if you will give me your receipt.” “I have it here, sir,” replied Prince Witzkoff, as he produced a paper with a large gilt and red seal. “In the name of the czar, I receive his property and give you this acknowledgement.” There were a few more formalities, and then Harrison Keith took the little bag from his neck, cutting the string, lifted the diamond out, that all might see, and placed it in the hands of the czar’s real representative. “Sir, I thank you, for my imperial master,” said Prince Witzkoff. “Also let me express my sense of your courtesy in keeping the stone out of sight until now, in accordance with my request.”

‘To that was the reason he would not lot anyone sec 'it before,” muttered ?■ something behind it all.” “I have one more thing to ask,” went on Prince Witzkoff slowly. “It has come to my knowledge that it was taken from the vault through the connivance of cme Paul Samovitch, who robbed Prince Malagoll of his letters of credit, as well as the Van Vender diamond, so that the prince has not dared to show himself since. Speaking for my imperial master, it will give particular gratification at the palace in St. Petersburg if you will permit the man, Paul Samovitch, to go free, at the same time warning him that he will be arrested and severely punished if ever again he sets foot on Russian soil.’’ Prince V.htzkofT said this while ho looked at the pretended Malagoll, but no one could say that he recognised the rascal as the person of whom he was speaking. But Keith knew. He also knew that the vague expression, “severely punished,” really meant death. “This amnesty granted to Paul Samovitch applies also to any confederates he may have had —of either sex,” added the prince. Then, with a comprehensive bow ho was gone. The next minute they saw his auto spinning up the street, and everyone knew that the last had been seen of the Van Vender diamond in that house. “Now, Mr. Williams, if you arc ready to proceed with the ceremony, I dare say it can be performed now, in the presence of these witnesses,” said Keith, turning to the minister, and who sat watching the previous proceedings with considerable curiosity.”

“One moment,” interrupted Paul Samovitch, rising, while his scowl grew deeper. “If I am to be allowed to depart I should like to do so. I may say that there will be something more heard from me about this robbery, and that it will go hard with some people who deny that I am Prince Mnlagoff. May I go ?” “Most assuredly,” replied Keith, with a smile. “Thanks !” The detected rascal with a chuckle threw upon the table the false diamond, which he had retained until now, and went out. Mrs. Reeves, as insolently careless as ever, stood up and drew her autocoat around her, so that it covered her hall-dress and opera-wrap entirely. Then, with a sweeping bow to the company, she said, in her silvery tones, that gave so little index to her disposition ; “So sorry I cannot stay to the wedding. But I really must go away and get a little rest. I hope, rny dear Mr. Keith, that you will find out . who really did steal that diamond. Good morning !” She followed closely on the heels of her confederate, and the two were seen getting into a cab which started off in the direction of Seventh Avenue.

“Sow, Mr. Keith,” cried John Dykcman, who had l)cen boiling within ever since the detective had asked the minister to go on with ‘‘the ceremony.” “Will yon kindly tell mo what ceremony you mean ?” “Certainly, Mr. Dykcman. I refer to the marriage of your daughter to Mr. Hugh Allen. There is nothing against it, is there ?” John Dykcman got up _and fairly foamed, as he roared ;

“Yes, there is everything against it ! I will not submit.’’ Harrison Keith held up his hand to keep the others quiet—for Hugh and the minister both showed some disposition to join in the controversy — and beckoned to John Dykcman to step with him to the window, out of car-shot of the others. “I have told you that nothing will induce me to ’’ “Wait ! You say that my threat, as you call it, at two o’clock this morning, did not frighten you. Would’ you like me to repeat it before Mr. and Mrs. Palmcr-Robinson, Lord Vascclles, and the others here ?” “Yes,” shouted Dykcman. “Stop ! I’ll do it myself.” “You will?” “I will.” John Dykcman, his face firry red with rage, moved to the table and raised his right hand oratorically. “What is this,” asked Palmer-Rob-inson, in dimmed astonishment. “Just this,” shrieked Dykcman, almost beside himself with excitement. “Harrison Keith, the man whom I engaged to discover the thief who stole the diamond, says ” He stopped, and Keith, with a cool smile, said to him : “I wodldn’t go any further, Mr. Dykcman.' I think you have : run your bluff as far as it will reach. I charge you with being the real thief of the Van Yonder diamond !” As if a dynamite-bomb had exploded, everyone jumped hack, gazing at the detective in astonishment. “Impossible !” cried Palmer-Robin-£cn. “Father !” screamed Mina. “Why don’t you deny it ?”

“Because ’’ faltered Dykeman, ( and said no more, as he sank into a ! chair, nodding: towards the inner room, where, between the heavy por- ! tiers, stood two persons who had : not appeared before, i They wore Beau Bridgcman and Franz Straus ! Standing side by side, they pointed accusing fingers at the wretched diamond importer. CHAPTER XXXII. HOW KEITH TIED THE KNOT. For the next few moments Keith’s voice was the only sound in the room) except the heavy breathing of the discredited John Dykeman, as he covered his face with his hands and rested his elbows dn the table. “The story is a short one,” he began. “I am sorry to have to tell it in the presence of this man’s daughter, but he would have it. It was John Dykeman who conspired with the man calling himself Prince Malagofi and Mrs. Reeves to steal the diamond. Dykeman has been in difficulties for some time, and the ofTcr of twenty thousand dollars from the revolutionary society to which the other two schemers belong was too much of a temptation.” “I never got the money,” put in Dykeman. “That is true,” assented Harrison Keith. “I doubt whether he ever would have got .it, either, for he entrusted the diamond to Mala,golf, who hid it in a 'cello, with the connivance of Franz Straus. The person vho got into the vault was the woman who has just left this room — Mrs. Reeves. She has another name, and is one of the most daring anarchists who ever came into New York.’ “Good gracious !” exclaimed Mrs. Pal mer-Robinson. “Mrs. Pierce Peeves stole the diamond, and, assisted by Beau Bridgeman, who has posed under the name of Lord Vase ell os, she gave the stone to malagoff. Dykeman had arranged everything about, the vault, allowing

■ Bx'idgeman and MalagofT to burrow ; under the vault for weeks before, and covering up truces of the crime | afterwards.” \ Hi'.gh Allen and Mina locked at each other, and then the daughter j wont 1o her father and placed her hand caressingly on his shoulder. “Franz Straus was to be paid for | his share in the crime, but never got * the money promised to him. The I The same applies to Beau Bridgeman. . That is why they arc here. They came to accuse Malcgoff, but he ban. already convicted himself. Both these men blame Dykeman for keeping the money from them, although I do not think he had much to do with that. Bridgeman, alias Lord Vascclles, has another motive in tolling what ho knows. It is the price he pays for escaping punishment, not only for tils share of the robbery, but also for trying to blackmail Mrs. Palmer-Hoi in son, and can ing a great deal of unhappiness both to her and her husband.” “The rascal !” cried Palmer-Robin-son, clenching his fist. “Now, the arch-criminals are the two persons who have just gone off in that cab. If Mr. Palmor-Tlobinson will agree, I will tell Beau Bridgeman to leave New York, never toreturn.” “Let him go,” .said the millionaire. “Leave town to-day, Beam !” said the detective. “If I find you in New York to-morrow, you will bo picked up by my orders and put through until you bring up in Sing Sing, as sure - as your name is not Lord Vascelles.” “What am I to do ?” asked Franz Straus. “There is nothing much against me.” “Except, your record,” replied Harrison Keith. “You can go. Take rny advice and get out of town with j Dridgoman.” Franz Straus took the detective’s advice, and was glad of the oppor- I tun if y of doing so. “Now, Mr. Bykeman, you have made a bad mistake, and I do not know whether it over can be rectified,” said Keith, as he came back to the parlour after seeing Franz out of the house. “Shall the ceremony go on ? It is nearly ten o’clock, and these young folk have made up their ; minds to begin their honeymoon on ■ the Deutschland.” “I have nothing more to say,” answered Dykeman. “Good ! I thought you would agree to the wedding sooner or later. Mrs. Palmcr-Robinson, you have been j interested in this affair from the first.. I Will you arrange the witnesses ?” “Indeed 1 will,” she declared, beaming ou the detective. “Now,

Minn and Hugh, stand up I” - It takes only a few minutes lo make a couple man and wife, especially when both make their responses quickly, and everything moves along without hitch. The Rev. Mr. Williams had come out without breakfast, and was anxious to get home. | Perhaps that was one reason that he ; wasted no time over tiie ceremony, j However that may be, in less than | ton minutes it was all over, and ; Mina was kissing her father and Mrs. Pnlmcr-Robinson alternately, while : Keith saw that his auto was ready , for them. j “Take care of father, Mr. Keith, won’t you,’’ said Mina, as she claspI ed the hand of the detective at the j foot of the gangway to the steamer I thirty seconds before the plank was hauled in. “I will take that on myself,’’ put in Palmcr-Robinson. “Mr. Dykeraan has been unfortunate, and the temptation was almost irresistible. He needs a little help to get on his feet, and I am in a position to give it to i him. Money is a useful thing some--1 times.”

Mina Allen—she was trying hard to get used to her new name—threw her arms around the millionaire’s neck, and gave him a hug and kiss which made the gold-laced officers of the big steamship squirm with envy, What Palmer-Robinson might have said was lost in the hoarse roar of the ship’s siren signaling “All ashore !” to those who were not going across the ocean, and warning Mina and her husband that they must hustle up the gangway if they did not intend to be left behind. '

As the big vessel backed away, the detective saw two faces at the window of a deck-cabin on board some fifty feet from where Mina and Hugh were standing. The faces were those of the bogus Prince Malagoff and Mrs. Reeves, “That’s rather bad,” mused Keith, as he continued to wave his handkerchief to the young couple. I don’t suppose it bodes any harm to Mr. and Mrs. Allen. But Prince Witzkoff is on the Deutschland. I know. Well, if the Van Vender diamond does not get to its legitimate destination safely, it will not be my fault. And yet—Sophia Vcrinsky is a dangerous woman. I hope Witzkoff will .keep his wits about him.” THE END. “MORNING PAPERS.” A customer had overhauled a large number of clocks of all shapes, sizes end descriptions, but nothing seemed exactly to suit his tastes. At last the jeweller, in despair, fetched out a massive timepiece of complicated design. “Here, sir, is a clock which will, I think, suit your aesthetic taste. At precisely ten o’clock every morning the tiny bells chime and a bird hops out and sings a carol.” “I will take that if you will make a few changes in it.” “With pleasure !” the jeweller sail. “I have a daughter,” went on the customer, “and I want the clock for the room where she entertains her company. Make it so that at eleven o’clock at night a milkman’s bell will ring and a newsboy will skip out and shout, ‘Morning papers !’ ”

WHICH ?. Arizona Joe, the animal hunter and. trainer, was telling an after-dinner story : “Old Bill had charge of the, animal tent, and among his pets was a leopard, the only one with the show. He was a bad leopard, too, and gave Bill far more trouble than all the rest of the menagerie together. One day, when the show was in New Jersey, I went out to Chicago to arrange some business. While I was having dinner a telegram was handed to me. It read ; ‘The leopard has escaped. Prowling about town. What shall I do ?—Bill.’ “Bill was one of those fellows who had to have explicit directions to do anything, even in an emergency. He was always afraid of making a mistake. I rushed from the table and sent a reply. “ ‘Shoot him on the spot,’ I wired. Being unusually busy, I torgot all about the affair until about two hours later, when I returned to the hotel, and another telegram was handed to me. It proved to be from careful, conscientious Bill, and ask cd : “ ‘Which spot ?’ ” THE LONG-HAIRED ONE.

1 The colonel of the Blankshires was notified that his unit was about to be inspected by the Secretary for War. The captain was ordered to make a preliminary inspection, to see that all was in readiness. In one of the huts a mop had been standing ■ head uppermost against the wall. The captain, who by the by, is said to he very short-sighted, on entering the room, pointed to the head of the rnop, and exclaimed, in a loud, sharp tone : “Sergeant, see that man gets his hair cut at once.” The sergeant, taking in the situation, remarked : “Very good, sir.’’ 1 And, smartly calling out “Atteni tion !’’ he succeeded in checking the j littering and laughter which was on | the point of breaking out. ; I “My sister Maggie is a very forj Innate girl.'’ ! “Yes ? Why ?” j “Dunno. But she went to a party I last night, and played blindman’shuff all the evening. The gentlemen hunt around and find a girl, and then they must either kiss her or give her a shilling.’’ i “Yes ?” “Maggie came home with thirty ■ shillings and a War Bond.’’ “No, sir,’’ said Mr. Meekton, warmly, “no man would dare say I am henpecked.” j “Why not ?” asked the near relai tion, with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice. “Because if he did, I’d tell Henri- ' ettu of him.”