Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 2 — page 144: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

326 ‘She has so told Captain Durand.” I put in. ‘Precisely! She learns that the man who robbed her of a diamond ring has gone overboard and soemakes occasion to turn these things to account by throwing them away. That they had been in her possession all who saw her knew, including yourself. She would have plenty of witnesses. The stones are lost. She places a fictitious value on them and sues the company. Comprenez vous, m’steur?”’ ‘! Do you mean—”’ “Were you near your room when the things struck you?” he cuf in. “TI was nearly under the electric light in the ceiling,” I answered. “Then of course the necklace could not have come from my port, which is next to yours. And my observation assures me that the bulb in question is opposite Mlle. Zin- garia’s port. Are you becoming enlightened? “You have in your possession the means of giving the lady a hoist by her own petard—and you have my full permis- sion. I am very tired, and was about to go to bed when you came in. Excuse me until to-morrow. ‘T'a-ta!”’ With small respect for myself as a man of penetration, I went to my room and tumbled into bed, glad that I might be of service to Durand. And that was what I did the first thing the next morning, showing him the neck- lace, drawing his attention to its spurious character, and solving the problem of the lady’s threat—an honor that should have been Dare’s, but which I took to myself, for the best of reasons. Durand was furious. “ You’re a sharp party, Kent,” he said, when I finally quieted him. ‘“I’ll make that woman squirm!’’ he exclaimed, and rang for the steward. ‘‘ Request Mlle. Zingaria to step here,” he said, when the man appeared. “‘ Kent, you stay and see:it out.”’ I remained, but after all it was not much of a show. When mademotselle appeared she was aggressively superior, though prob- ably ready for the compromise she expected. But she wilted like a rose under flame as Captaia Durand handed her the necklace. “ 3fadame, there is your twenty thousand ‘return. _ aod . s | ~- ( @Y ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. dollars’ worth of paste,” he said to the astonished woman. ‘ You have committed a crime for which I might hold you. When you charged the drowned man with their theft you lied, and you knew you lied. The next time you attempt to become a thief yourself, be more careful.” The woman was white under her rouge as she stammered: ‘‘ I—I thought—how—’’ “No matter how;” Durand sharply in- terrupted. “I have only to say to you that if you mention having been robbed aboard this vessel I’ll make you sweat blood.” ‘‘ But—but—I—I lost a real diamond— a diamond ring—” ‘““T don’t believe the man who entered your room took anything,” was the quick “Tf he did he’s at the bottom of the sea with it. Madame, this vessel will dock within a few hours. When it does you will at once go ashore and never again use this line. No more words, madame. I have your true number, and for two bits I’d put you under arrest. Go before I change my mind.” And she went, leaving the room in a tor- rent of tears but without making any de- fense; and she took her necklace with her. I did not see her again. And I did not see Dare all that day, he keeping to his room and I not anxious to cross swords with him. All I now wished was to wash my hands of the whole busi- ness, and get ashore. At six o’clock that evening the steamer slowed up to take on the pilot, but I was not on deck, being busy packing my trunk. I had just locked it when a knock came on my door. When I opened it I found my- self. face to face with Officer Michael Clancy. ‘How are you, doctor?” he said, laugh- ing as he gave me the title. “Good Lord!” I ejaculated. How did you get here?”’ ‘Your sky-cable brought me, sir,’ he said, sitting down and becoming serious. “I came aboard with the pilot, and of course the first thing to do was to see you.” “What fore” I asked, with a vague feel- ing that the jig was up. “ Clancy! “You'll soon know,” he returned. ‘ Here’s my report, short and to the poimt. COMICDOOIKKS Colm t —_?’ ‘a a s a a Se