Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 36, Number 262, 29 July 1911 — Page 2

HOIR1 PAGE Solemn Court Decisions About Goldsticks and Silver Batons; Hand-Painted Stockings, and a Salvation Army Sec

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Sand-Painted Stockings and Diamond Studded Slippers for Peeresses at Coronation Functions. London, February 17. PECTATORS at the coming coronation parade and ceremonies' who anticipate that the lesser popularity of George V. compared with that enjoyed by Edward VII. will detract from the show, will find themselves mistaken, at least with respect to the oddities that will creep into the ancient celebration. There are all sorts ot unusual preparations for the great occasion come ot which are more amusing or otherwise interesting now than they will turn out to be later. For several of the highest officials of instance, imagine the spectacle ot state sitting dally in solemn conclave, wearing their uniforms, robes of office and orders, to pass upon the claims ot rival noblemen to the privilege of carrying the King's silver harp or the great spurs. All such questions are being set-

the: ajacca diamonds

N tio 22rt of Septemfter I arrivca in uinaon wun uia .mcu"u - VV t.iin the well-known Ajacca rfiamnn.ia I- wu in receipt ot . . u , . t A v Information which I trusted was absolutely exclusive so far as I was conearned. There la no necessity whatever or me to relate how I beeama Tin..... or 10 . nuw i Became possessed an Italian nahl.m.n ... s-U of hi. wif-. Jr """Bll)r t rfclof his wife, diamonds. conslsUn, ox a necklace of sixty-five stones, an emereld ornament for the hair, a ruby nen dant and a pair of earring, of beiuuful Orient neari.. .h.niu.i mh-rt-..Urul wtlghlng twMty.avs grain,, the otZ swentr-alx. ' SWenty BIX. . one The duke had married a dan...... .w. fw m ouiio nvytone, Ivelther before nor afterward had any one .u a worn against we girl, and It was aa!1 that she and her husband were still very much -attached to each other, notwlu,. .v.. .,. 1 1- . .. wyj.ii went their SOW the Jewel, hia wife wa. absent, havtng flown oft at an hour's notice, with a notice, with a in 8U PetersWhim, never ke's weaknei: trlend. to see a peageant eurg. Her impetuous Itnoked onnoaltlon. The duke was hi. n.ion fn hih niav. I w.. . saw him lose two thousands pound. Three day. jater I made the discovery inaqne was secretly negotiating lor tne . . .... - eaie or tne jewels. He liad given them to his wife Just begore marriage, and he must have been eery hard hit Indeed to descend to the artifice of having Imitations made with Wblcn to replace the genuine stones. But euch was ,the oase. I was on friendly term. with the be.t Jeweler, in the city, cautiously approached on the .ubject by . young relauv. ot his- Lionel Dray. ng wita Ajacca in bis paiace on the Vlale del ColU. The marquis was an in1 will do mm tne Justice to remark that It is a little doubtful if he knew whose property the Jewel, were. But. of course draycote knew, and I learned that he . . , , at the conclusion of the negotiations. Here was a prize worth stalking. I . . ... - w - ana UDerty many a ime. out never lor quite eo high a sUke. X watched. The paste Imitations ,,!. MnA T ... w. .. made, and I even caught a glimpse of Ihem. Thoy were admirable. The duchess

"" . " IT " . cu""- But he did not take into account the Ing a frock coat of a perfect fit.. He was n. oraer woman. The latter was con-

no oirin wn pay "pensive way tv,,f t Haihnrt Aiutramr. h.j of medium height, slenderly built, and wiiu animation. which

by helping himself to other people's w. "VI . .. '"Z',n 1 .T nature had chiselled his features with her ".Bttf eloaraT..a"en"?? '"V'A'i inspector.

.... , , . " ' ""-lieu J awvtw 4 6"'i eaiA ... . , , ,. . uaillUU. lOT UrdyCOie XUTIieU 1113 cco " . T els will be at no loss to understand th- that i hnnenrt tn h one r th most most delicate tools. His lustrous eyes. fook.d ',nT1B. an Tfi1iv that fair face, set In I i

Secret method of my perilous profession, expert diamond thieves In Europe, I re- 8ma11 mouth and curly brown hair re- which flushed slightly. The music ut- into my pocket and left the house witnfiufflca it for me to say thatlh fraln from Tsavlne the moat MDert be- minded me of portraits of the poet Shelly, tered a final wail and ceased. , out being seen. I proceeded k dozen um.e It ror me to say that I had made the Iram V m aln tne mst expert, pe- T c0mDari8O7l lasted but a second; it "Never done such a thing in my life." yards up the street, crossed, turned, discovery that the Duke of the I always taken into consideration ftvfTVi M. . ..Si,iL ViTI held said thV"bov " and he liehted a cigarette. inA Dreased the bell that admitted to

and a lucky chance let me into tne secret. -re-iree enjoment it no to do with the real one. i told myseiz. on the diamonds; and the prise seemed wh!f" t n.i if ..n mnA a Aifripuit trail u Pounds in his pockets; and then the pack-. sh . confederate with that ma sea- as remote as ever, more so. In fact since

V fn the end I ascertained t ca'?n be s:"aU on,e' " line tone, that severely, blunt manner. Adeline Lesrg and her friend had paid DaL,"sT Itrovcd to ee. in tne ena i ascertained ha not been anywhere else, the stones T j..h w T. . . ... parajysis

that the Maraula of Hawksmere had been must be in his rooms. I miht attempt K...ir..i a i.h. k t r . '"S hia

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NSSJ-S X v- i Salvation Army Captain Brodie jVj 4flt IV . ' fl' fl ViJL jL !tVy in Hia Coronation Pro- It IT' J ill; 7 - , I 4 - '

. m nv iV. . t . - - r CI A w 1 t V. the spurs, the Earl of Loudoun. L-ora Grey de Ruthyn and Lord Hastings are at a deadlock. Sir MM?1 Lloyd claims all rights in the harp act, as Lord Marcher, ot the Barony of Kemes. which position his ancestors have held tor a thousand years. The Earl of Errell was overjoyed when the big wlga decided that he might, as Lord High Constable of Scotland, walk in the procession carrying a twelve-ounce 6llver baton with the King's arms in gold on one end and his own arms on the other also in gold. Suddenly, it occurred to the Earl that this baton was an expensive affair, and he asked in anxious tones: "My lords, who is to provide the baton?" The Lord Chancellor replied dryly that the court had nothing to say on that point A whole shoal of noblemen are v, .1 i i . i A.rA ..u'Bi. and woulki susDect the deception. i nau aniicpiaiea. u was n6cu that Draycote, who was returnlg to Eng. land, should take the stones with him and dennitely conclude the Bale with the Marquia of Hawksmere. Naturally he did not seek the police protection in any way. for his lips were sealed, and he trusted to the absolute secrecy which A , ., v..... Aaeiine iesarge. mat cnsrraiu x-ariian whose skill in my art borders on pure genius. At tht tIm 1 nad heaM of Adeline, th"Kh I had not met her. She was an e,uslve hadow whleh 1 longed t0 en' counter. "0n,e tU W"Lmeet h"' remarked old Israel Fangs, at whose shop ,n fc had 8treet ofl the at Antwerp -nn- a. m w .-tI hv. t n. t monv i .Drki.r. -And 11 you anu sne ever ioiiow tn same quarry you W1U come 0,1 Daa'y- tess our lnlhe best houses, and if there' la anything good going, look about for our pretfy Adeline. Our fair, petit, goldenrAu wra 1 nsa iranns a am a 1 1 ermv rr b r sew eved. roiden-naired Adeline, dainty as - - - - , . , . . i Toifowed Dravcote to London, quite unknown to him, on the watch alquite unknown to him, on the watch alway. to .natch at the prize, but so far without encountering a chance. He resoK to speak toy one. and Juat in what form he carried the Jewels jllbl in w uii l lurm ua tiskiitcu lud jonua On the evening then of the i day ( I "TuTt -f".v.ea. "J" "Vn Street Station to his rooms over a shop vmwwtv io.wic o mine aouennam court oaa, ana ct

X j r. ird Hastings the coronation neTemonies ranftine f WA s - . - - - . 1 . r

and strolled oft to dine j dropped into a seat at the next table. and sought each inspiration as a salmon w . mayonnaise, half a bottle of claret ana - 7.? u. h- ,,. ,h. -i .r,... K.11.V. .! ha h.i h Jewels unon him." I reflected. "He would not be eating his dinner with such a an ntry lher' but the, nVSf!S? T. reViSy "lahould" break aione. ften 1 mart contrive to get acquainted not appeal to me. for if Draycote lost n .Tf natUra,Uff hT.k 5 newest acquaintances, and If be took lev'.Li m-n..u , . ......v.. . , "i rtv !t i . v. t-.tr- t 11 . it. t . on a business visit to hi property in the " - "SthT Stx davZ ic t . brtllj Orkneys, returns on the 2S "hat is wholly inrufficie down an elaborate and complicated scheme, and I must chance the colden moment, the lucky opportunity At that instant I became aware tnat -

tion or

Wearing Shrouds and Death's Heads

pressing their claims to "receive fees." There are quite a lot of these "private grafts" in connection with the coronation ceremonies ranging from "five yards of scarlet cloth" and "forty ells of crimson velvet" to $100,000 coming to the Lord Great Chamberlain. The Dean and Chapter of Westminster have the right to retain the robes and ornaments. On the other hand, it is up to the Duke of Newcastle to provide the glove which he will 'wear while supporting the arm of the King that holds the heavy sceptre. But as this will bring the Duke right into the centre of the limelight, probably he does not cringe at the expense. Other preparations which the public hears very little about are in the hands of humble persons, who take great pride in the-heavy labor involved in their participation. One piece of velvet forty yards long, to be used in making coronation robes for Beers, renreaentwhile I ha.d been huiv thfnkin? twn w. comers had seated themselves at a table just in ironi 01 uraycoie 8. una was i was a -i2 - woman ot about forty-three years of a tall, angular figure, with more a suspicion of a cast in her eye. and a hard, aquiline nose; yet. In spite ot these physical disadvantages, her black silk dress suited her well, and her style was unmistakably good. Her companion rlvt.H frr,.. mw nttantinn. Ha wa wnr. k..h.... The m' nrofll. was turned toward DravcotT Zho was tookine .aevZg 0 Z. 1 f, Art wl at .S p .n minutM hs watched tht Mothers ftlvely The woman ri5.""ifSrT?i?VJ5 t that lutle ,oud- thoagh ,he sp0ke tremely intelligently. Their converse-. rlfted Into art That redoubled' V""" '"wl VZ" V,:. t VTiT.d rimly. iroiSh toe littlSrame ely. hom had moft to "ar Jo after all Israel Fangs up aner an. in, l saw tnrougu The rival had not exaggerated when he said that Adeline Leaarge always scented the best prlxes going. She. too had received sen o i turn ai iin sner hii. isi ao crei miormaiion rcn -- .v. ...... aiamnn.li. Neither bad Israel epoken of her beauty too highly. Indeed he had underrated it. . . "J " i im nothine better than a ' neas l"" I aoUlo ancy f rf that ,We .-r. h a ani in nn ii. xjrictLesarge w a 'f.1 "eaVr rofesTion .Ti for a Wltn BftieiJ. " moment the Innocent beauty taat w herfj7 lnio my caicuiouuua. ' - - - Dtercm4 eye8. her strong common sense ouid not be deceved by the other's dieuise she was in that secret doubtless" . I.. "tr. 7 . , i nu.iA. .,... Arteiln la maaounradjng for 8ome reason that has nothing watch. n?. ?ZT .l""5!? .v.. mn. nhviom f,inr j-h a ..A d bal, .. j -hu-it, .. . Already she Has tie ... r Te5y "coMeTiu he0, t-rhioh I anticipated. The "boy" conIT fja - - m . - . - . pfwuaersa. ana liravMi. nni... . . im beard the boy observe to him. wi-J admirably acted shyness: .vw. it wu tne ena or Tne. ir. .. t T 1 nonor or addressing J -tc. wDUn impreMionBt picture, -Enchanted Woods, is eo much ut!!L., draycote bowed. The cross flattery he

the Parade

A HandPainted Slipper for the Coronation and Shoes Beaded to Reflect the Color of the Dress Worn with Them. aa tut; ro w t it-- rwton-A innsapBi Bw.nA A..BfA. nn minute later he wu in easier converAt that moment the orchestra tave'l uVcTlrtha? melody. I could not hear a word that was beinir snoken and all I could notice wa, the w of Blancea It struck me as rather strange that Draycote's artiatio eye, instead of being arrested by the exaulsite features of the disguised Adeline, dwelt almost entirely uton the face of "But to Dlease me." urged his companlon. -Don't you think. Mr. Draycote. 'hat he would make a most excellent study?" 'If ou wm allow me to . say s0, J i?ink ou, make a finer." answered Draycote . I almost laughed aloud. "VerT nicef you i am th-V2 a mdoV "It iw he OR!1 Iespo"e-..II.m. am sure, was friend cares ttle unconventional, you will admit I "hall be charmed to sit for you." "A thousand thanks. May I suggest would to-morrOW. at halfto Drln ne lor our - . . . i m -let me see wouiu . - pihree- id" suit me You agree. Tha would suit me. You agree. m .. you boredly. ae " "t?Z I waited to bear no more, bd to toot- rival had won the flr8t mor, in the gam. for the Ajacca diemonds. and won it easily. True, it was not her head which that blind dauber " the prixe from under my nose." I muttered. But I was not annoyed or afraid. - r i. : 4 t . My wits against Adeline Lesarge! A duel indeed. ---- . ooo.Ue th r&ZS? rooms!"" - - CHAPTER II. Three days passed and found me no . i v. j : ; j . VZTt . , V. "' 7""""r hi. r.ir nr h.rt rcrA saken eight scheme, for laying fingers bad met with no better luck. I knew .Sf. ,rtV ZZI His awakening had not "'l Mms Hi BtudJ favi ttv room .n 1 me him attitude, With, oW. T . , V . v, . V, . iT-vZT Tl,.T. wt'h tnother sheVshi? oa tZr. Clearly he wu enraied inoine dVamUurlIn.o sXdee lantern; ujnuc piciure. i couja not see Aaeuu ia tne darkened room. On the afternoon of the fifth, day Draycotes visitors called aeaJn. ar?nd. 'for. like myself, she must be ready for any throw." vu m lit: -miu Kti me ifwra, m. Directly they came out I was after '""a- xneir moyementa were not in the least flurried. They went .lowly Ao-wtx Oxford street, looking at the shoo wtndowa. then turned Intn .

A

three months out of the lite ot aa aged expert Miss Foakes. who " hardly dares leave her loom, except for. necessary sleep, until her task is accomplished. Ladies of the London smart set seem to have gone quite wild over endless novelties of adornment for the great occasion. Never was there such a craze as at present for hand-painted stockings, and slippers hand-painted and bejewelled. One of the latter is called "the royal shoe." Designed' especially for court functions at the coronation, these shoes art heavy, with unique beaded decorations guaranteed to reflect the color of any dress norn. Another shoe In great demand by court ladies la of a very smart shape, hand-painted on white satin, and having a large Parisian diamond in place of a buckle. There are, too, hand-painted silk stockings, with hand-painted satin 6hoes to match, the latter being profusely ornamented with small diamonds. In some instances the handpainted floral designs on stockings are so beautiful, and occupy so much of the stocking's entire length that one is constrained to wonder where the public spectator will come in ' unless Mrs Grundy makes a special

U7Aawin Va1t fnr flnrnnnHnn . . . i . Na tr.o. t .,t.mnt aa Adellne'a face ,how; on the other hand, it exhibited rr.oo1! haVbutff she ' b a c00i had' bu.1 5--2 has just stolen twenty thousand pounds' worth of diamonds she would not take things quite eo lightly." I reflected. The thing was getting on my nerves. t v,ir n mv rnnm and snent a couple of hours In adopting a disguise would Have deceived a cniei As soon as darkness had slipped a phial ot chloroform tne studio. drawing a few deep breaths to Qulet my slightly thumping heart. A matd opened the door; I asked to .ee her master, and ten seconds later I stepped over the threshohld of Draycote's BtU(Jl0. He was there, paintbrush and palette in hand, and f.Hnr Urn was his Carcelv finished nlctur nf a masked a-i-i holdlnir a. luntem- hut h angular and th( red nalr was palnted auburn. -Allow me to introduce myself a Detective-Sergeant Dickinson, of Ne e t v lines or the original were toned down. u Scotland Tard," I began. "I consider 1 my dut warn ou that Iew hour8 bftck, 1 chanced to see. leaving ea - '-' " .11 known to the Criminal Investlgalinn Dp nartmftnt 11 Ho started, then scowied heavily. about' If "vJm. Vh. n.T ? fhi? portrait'"- " OH8rlnX f Certainlv not I ailA f ,.- CerUinlx not, I allude to her com-"YVl-i a Vi i.vU ..a 4.11.1 u tier rriend was a man. Her friend was a woman, disguised," once and was rellf- MZ conjecture t presslon of intense U r httmA victlon. Dravcote haH a.taii . n ,nJv with the red-haired frig-htl io" are Prooaoiy mistaken." he an awered with a hrue of hi. .hu:" "Anyhow, I don;t care a What no von think- rT the nt..t.. ........ yiuicj x VHall call it 'A Fair Traitress,' and leave an Imaginative public to supply the pre- ... motif "lumcnt x reseat rav state. -One moment ma ht thia lady, friend is & dia- ' oZf "?fptlonai;' - vi.bvia went as a sheet Hi. Jaw dropped. econa. ne stared at me in a of apprehen.lon. then. turn. back upon me. he flew to a J" tf5f JTLth, Ia.bwrat' w,de a ' 1 wa3 clos at n, heeI all the way. Tfr.,1. li.k.... hi.. . . . 11 ' a tisu.u.uB'une rauremeni J. nail emptied the chloroform upon a hand- '"" nnger. fumhled at .the frame, and suddenly it w.un upon k ninse, revealing a "MUU"" uiuinis ptace oexween tne iree ironi ana xne dock. I glared over his shoulder. One r,-"-- j v. m ug - CI " mouia and nostrils in a twinkling. But that glimpse I never had. - - he gasped, reeling back upon me. I stuffed handkerchief and eh back tmo my pocket ia nie agony of -wu uuwrveq iuo action nor heard my deep curse of dSaappotntmeat I wa master of myself the next moment.

dispensation tor the occasion In the matter of manlDulatins the outer

garments. There are scores ot other fashionable foibles bearing on the approaching royal show, manifested in costume accessories and plans tor novel functions both In and outside of the charmed court circle. But in spite ot all this display ot worldliness. this worship ot mammon la his supremest phase, rank and fashion will not have everything their own way In the coronation procession. The goldsticks and the sliver batons, the standard-bearers and the carriers of white wands will find their ancient regalia rivalled by symbols more ancient still shrouds, skulls and cross-bones. The crowned King and his courtiers are to be reminded that ail flesh is grass, and that "while we are in life we are also in the midst of death." This wholesome lesson in connection with the royal pageant is in capable and respected hands the Salvation Army, inspired by the recent example furnished by Captain R. Brodie in delivering his sensational "character sermons." Holding the thtory that people remember what they see and speedily forget most of what they hear, and considering it most desirable what nv S pie should remember tnat their final hour on earth rapidly approaches. Captain Brodie decided to give them a series of reminders that would "sink in." So he dressed himself in a. white shroud, masked his face In a hugh, grinning skull, and, with a real human skull in his hands, marched through London streets preaching about death and the hereafter. It was a vision that Bent children scampering, panic - stricken, to their homes, and made their elders shudder and take to reading their Bibles. Captain Brodie actually had scared people into preparing for their latter end and the great mystery of eternity. In London the Salntlon Army numbers many tens of thousands. Imagine the effect of even ten thousand of these serious-minded, orRnhos U. Ah. I am too late," I cried. "What did I tell you?" . His hand shook like a leaf as he pressed It to hi. forehead. There wa a telephone In the room and he "nx toward It, but stopped suddenly, crying. "No, no! I dare not ring up the police. It it is a secret matter. My soul, '''hat shall I do? There were thousands oi pounds' worth of Jewels in my care, and and" Ho broke off with a sob. "Perhaps the ladies said they were calling again V I asked with sarcasm, though I was boiling with fury. "They told me they were crossing the Channel from Folkestone to-night." he groaned, clenching and unclenching hi. fists. "That they were proceeding straight to Vienna." And possibly they even gave you their future address there?" I continued in the same Jeering tone, for somehow It eased me to gall him. "Yes. they did. I put It down. The Hotel , In the Graben. I shall go after them! I must do something to prevent my pistolling myself. And you will never make me believe that she 1. guilty not the one I painted. X swear that she is to be trusted!" "Very likely," I sneered. Tou have been outwitted by a princess of Jewel thieves. But we will make an attempt at rescue if you will pull yourself together." Tes. yes," he cried wildly. "I leave It all to you. Only there must be no publicity. Understand that" Three hour, later we were In Folkestone. . The boat was gone, and I set about making inquiries. The re.ult was astonishing. Adeline aad her friend had spoken the truth. Beyond all doubt they had sailed on the last boat out! That wa. but the beginning ot surprises. At Calais I struck the .cent with ease and followed them to Parts, Draycote getting more and more excited each moment They had made some fuss about their luggage at the Qare du Nord, and half a dozen official, there knew that they had been driven to the Hotel de Vllle. Away we whirled to the Rue de Rivoli. Tes. our quarry had stayed at the hotel, departing a. if to call extra attention upon themselves and giving no tip. To be brief. I ascertained that they had left by the night mail for Vienna; and the climax was reached when we found that they had actually engaged rooms in the hotel in the Graben which they had mentioned! What was more. Adeline Lesarge bad abandoned her disguise. Both ehe and her friend were out, and we waited in an agony of impatience for her return. "Why they should have told me the truth about their movements beat, me altogether." Draycote kept remarking. "Can you understand it?" "N"o more than the dead." We resolved to confront the precious pair though Draycote still believed In the Innocence of the elder woman and demand the diamonds. They returned in time for the table d hote dinner. We kept away from the meal, and then we beard that the two had gone into the great pakn lounge, where they were sipping coffee and liqueri and listening to the orchestra. - - "I can wait no longer. I ebail go to them in there," exclaimed Draycote. I followed him in- Directly we entered the lounge I saw our quarry. Adeline's back was toward us, but her companion wa. facing the entrance and roust have Seen us. At sight of the object of hts adoration Draycote. courage seemed to fail him. He executed a flank movement, slowly, and stopped to look round for me. At that moment we were separated from the couple by a three-legged marble table

11 t

fx VI

1 derly. respected workers in the slums, all In the regalia ot death. marching in the coronation procession! Would the spectators condescend to notice Goldstlck, White ' Wand and Silver Baton? ' Actually, there is a certain amount of apprehension concerning - this part of the programme. And as nobody ever Interferes with the Salvation Army or its methods, what to do about It is a stubborn problem. Who shall say? It may turn out that the coming coronation of George V. may cause even the smart set to consider their Immortal souls. LORD DECIE3 TELLS ONE. A story by Lord Dcctcs "I said to S cabby th other day: "'How mucb to tak me to tbo Hotel xr- " 'Four dollars, the man answered. -Oh. I said. 'I didn't ask tho price of tho rig. I don't want to boy It' "Well. I should think not,' said the cabby. Th borso aloo cost $4.00. " A RELIABLE DIARY. : ' ' Sho Are you sure that It was a yoar ago to-day- that we booame engaged, deart . Ho Tes: I looked It up in my cheek book this morning. NEVER BY HALVES. : The waltor expected a SO-eest tta ,- but ho didn't got It. "Thla was a quarter you rave me. sir," bo sussostod meaningly. That's all right." said the guest, 1 novor do thins by balvoa" And he walked out. with a tnaalfl cent air. ; , -.- j. - J- Boostorv on which stood an enormous palm. AM . suddenly, above the soft strain, of a no turne, roae the musical voice of Adeline supremely beautiful In a .oft shimmering dinner gown. "But, really, chere amle. the Englishman Draycote was quite nice to you. . Ms will want to see you again; end I should not be surprised In the least If be follows us here." . "The .illy boy.- laughed the other. "How Is it? I am neither young nor pretty." . , "Oh. but I have heard so many mea. say, 'Adeline Lesarge Is s most fascinating creature! " - , I heard every syllable, and the words struck me like a blow over the heart. What! Adeline, the plain woman? "Flatterer!" laughed the elder woman. "What Is there fascinating about me? But It was really fortunate that I met you; and for the sake of our old friendehlp I worked up that little scheme which gave us the diamonds, oh, I know where to look for thm. fer while Draycote was painting me I saw bis eyes wander more than once toward that " picture in the corner of his studio. What a clever hid.ng place! And at the third alttlnc you managed It very welt, though when the catch of the picture frame clicked as you opened It I eared he would look round.hear" 1 WouW " h n,"ttrd M he "Oh. there would have been such am unpleasant scene." "Well, you .hall have a very, rerr handsome present Adeline. . Tou man' K.elU a" tnt rI,r. one might think you you were . a rial diamond stealer!" And the fair girl laughed wits genuine merry surprise. - "R.ei,y l, nould not make a bad one."' was the-cool answer. "And. between yoss ?KiLm''4hrTa" a real thief after them! Tea, I .aw him once or twice. His t name 1 Heathcote AlUtrange. "Come away! I breathed hoarsely into Draycote's ear. "They are talking at us: Fool that I am! That woman of your devotion is she whom I told you of, and not the other. Adeline Lesarse herself!" He allowed me to drag him away his eye. rolling stupidly. "What doe. It mean?" he gasped. "She confesses, before my face, to taking the diamond" "Which you will never eee again." t Interrupted savagely. And under my breath I cursed old Israel Fangs, whose sarcasm aimed at Adeline', ugliness had led me astray. It was hideously clear to me. Adeline had obtained knowledge of the proposed sale of the Ajacca diamonds, and .he had stolen them for her friend. And the reason of that friend wearing masculine - attire was that she did net want to be recognised. , ..- T will .how you the simple truth.- I growled to Draycote. and I could scarcely speak for rage. I beckoned to a waiter Ope question would confirm my suspicion and show. Draycote that the Jewels could ' never be regained by him. The Walter" hurried to us. ,. . . "Touv see those two ladles the talt plain one and the pretty girl who la ' laughing with her?" , "Tea, sare." "Madame la Duchess dl Ajacca. sare. ' he replied, "otrce Mademoiselle Julie Royanne' Draycote interrupted with a smothered yeU. He turned livid. "She she ha stolen her own Jewels, then T' he gasped. , "Exactly, with the help of a friend who warned her that they were' in the -market- .... ...... A w made for the exit a peal of , laughter floated from the table.

V - n : s It