H. Bedford-Jones

“ Lewis frowned slightly—did these six leather books hold jewels, then?
“The method is safe?” be said inquiringly. Cyril spread his hands and shrugged.
“Why not? There is no customs examination of baggage by the air line to London, just as there is none in France—when the passenger is an American tourist. At New York, there is no personal examination except on the big boats. Cabin-boat passengers are not examined unless the douane there has reason to suspect them. There is no reason to suspect you. You go from London, not from the continent. ”

“ Bantoff seemed much agitated, and laid a hand on the knee of Lewis.
“My dear Mr. Lewis, you really must show more caution!” he exclaimed. “I've heard about that detective this morning—”
“He wasn't a detective, he was a crook," Lewis interrupted. “And he caught me, but he paid for it. Evidently he had been trailing Cyril, for he guessed I had the stones, and came right along. Count him out of it, however. Everything going well with your plans?”
“Quite well,” said Bantoff. “You don't think that man is still following you?”
Lewis laughed. “Not he! Believe me, he's sick of his job.” ”

“ Do you?”
“Mighty little,” said Lewis, scooping the stones back into their receptacle. “Heard some snatches of it today—general outline. What I want is facts.”
“Scarce,” said Orley, and sipped his drink. “Nobody owns them and everybody wants them. Word is out they're in Paris enroute to America. Our government wants to grab them against soviet debts; so does France—after making a rich thing out of the Ferrari stamps. France would give her eye-teeth to seize the stones, if these are the ones. ”

“ Despite the efforts of the French police, the exposition had brought to Paris flocks of criminals from all countries; but, as all American tourists were carefully treated and practically exempt from regulations, it was easy for Americans of the criminal class to grow fat.
“The beautiful part of it is,” thought Lewis uneasily, “these birds hit the nail on the head—meaning me! Either they had dropped on to the general plan of campaign, or else they figured out about what Cyril Krenin and his friends would do. ”

“ The stones had apparently been entrusted to him on very slight premises; either this group of reds would not dare trust any written authority, or they were astonishingly sure of the messenger from America.
“A good deal more behind it that I don't know,” concluded Jim Lewis. “There's Jenny Gardner, too—I'll have to find out where she stands. And who could be after the stones if the owner and his whole family were wiped out? It's no crime to plan smuggling; they'd wait and catch the smuggler in the act, rather than forestall him.” ”

“ His black-rimmed spectacles flew off, he staggered, and abruptly went down in a heap.
“Whew!” said Jim Lewis, panting, as he surveyed the ruins. “You sure are a bird. Detective, journalist, crook and what-not! If I hadn't hit you first and hard, you'd have finished me. Feels like you've spoiled my map, anyhow.”
Harrison was quite unconscious. Lewis got some towels, tied up the little man, emptied his pockets on the bed, and rolled him underneath it. Then he repeated the process on Matthews, who was half-conscious but paralyzed by the two final blows. ”

“ Lewis took a step toward him.
“So here you are! Gregory, I've just come from the Rue Jasmin,” he said rapidly. “The police have discovered everything. They're searching for you. Krenin is dead, shot. Get out! You've time to make your escape if you go at once—”
Count Gregory stared at him with fallen jaw, plucked at his whiners—then turned and was gone like a shot. Jim Lewis swung around, chuckling.
“It worked! Now, young lady, we've got to get out of France, and get quick—”
“Jim—did you mean that—about Krenin?” ”

“ Bantoff. Hand me my coat, Orley—thanks. Is this Bantoff a sharp one?”
“No, he's stupid,” said the girl doubtfully. “But—”
“No buts allowed. Come along. See you in the morning, Orley! Good luck.”
“Good luck, blast you,” said the pilot. “Good night Miss Gardner—don't let this wild American get his skull cracked before morning!”
“I think he's safe enough,” and the girl smiled as she shook hands. “Until he gets to Paris, that is. Jim, please stop and think about this—”
“Thinking never pays,” said Jim Lewis cheerfully. “Come along!” ”

“ Jim Lewis threw his hat six feet in the air, caught it, and was hastily dragged away by the dismayed Russians.
“We must not draw attention like this,” blurted Bantoff.
“It's all right,” Jim assured him. “All Americans are crazy, my dear chap, so come on and forget it. Where are we going?”
“To my house in Kensington. You can remain with me until tomorrow night, in safety.”
“Thanks. I've an engagement for ten-fifteen tomorrow morning, though. Can you run me downtown in your car?”
Bantoff was at once agitated all over again. “But is it safe?” he growled. ”

“ Shall I say that the only person to have seen the stones was a certain Bantoff in London, who brought me to his house and then made the demand—”
“No, no, no,” exclaimed the other explosively. “For the love of heaven, say no more! You are right. You are not so irresponsible a man as I thought you. Keep the things unopened. by all means. But before I return the cases to you tomorrow night, before you leave England, you must make certain in the presence of witnesses that the stones are intact—after having left them in my care.”
“That is only just,” said Lewis reflectively. ”

“ This brought to mind a question Lewis had forgotten to ask the girl.
“Tell me something. Bantoff,” he said. “Here you are keeping awake nights over this business, and Krenin is not a fool despite his folly. Why, then, did you people appoint such a preposterous meeting-place as a bridge over the Seine, the exposition bridge at that, and a silly password?”
“I'll tell you why,” said Bantoff gloomily. “We did not know who would come from America; it would have to be some one who could return absolutely unsuspected—an American, a tourist. ”

“ Lewis glanced up.
“We'll take something light—say, sole—until a lady comes to join us. Eh, Orley?”
“Right you are.” The waiter scribbled the order and departed. Orley uncovered the stones again and poked at them. “Glory be, you lucky Yank! Where'd you get these?”
“Man gave them to me to carry,” said Lewis, and grinned. He showed the soft leather book, then opened his coat and indicated the pockets therein. “Six all told.”
“And a lady coming to join us, eh?” Orley leaned back and jerked out a cigaret. “You'll hang for murder yet. I always knew it. ”

“ Pure chance had led him to a maudlin search on the previous night, had brought to his lips a password or catch-phrase predetermined upon by these Russians. The man who had come from America to meet them, lay in the hospital, safely out of the way. What was it all about then? Stones, jewels of some kind—was this a gang of thieves?
Opening the handbag. Lewis found it packed with clothes, and nearly full. There were also some English magazines and a toilet-kit, a handsome one. His broken wrist-watch had been replaced by one of gold. Lewis was surprised to find it long past ten o'clock. ”

“ The Poles, the English, the Germans, all have spies in Paris to keep watch over us; here, as well. Therefore, not knowing what might turn up at any moment, we dared not risk things by having the messenger come to Krenin direct. So we wrote even the password in code, and appointed a meeting place that certainly would not be suspected.”
“Hm! You did that, all right,” commented Lewis. “Why didn't you send the stones by Miss Gardner?”
“We thought of it, but dared not risk it—she was known as the secretary of our agency in New York.” Bantoff threw out his hands. “The whole world is against us! ”

“ Bantoff sighed in relief. “The responsibility has been a weight upon me. I have arranged everything; you leave tomorrow evening and catch the Alertic at Liverpool in the morning—I'll go with you and see you off. She's a first and third cabin ship and you'll have no trouble whatever on arrival at New York.”
“No, people with fortunes to smuggle don't take slow boats,” said Lewis. “Excellent! You're to be congratulated on doing things right. I can't say as much for Krenin—letting that crook get on my trail was a bad break for him. ”

“ Lewis looked at the card, saw that Matthews represented an American news syndicate, and nodded thoughtfully.
“First time I've been taken for a crook, but no harm done,” he said. “If you want to know my plans for tonight and tomorrow, you can have 'em. I expect to meet a lady, and I don't want to be dodging sleuths—”
Matthews made a wearily irritated gesture of negation.
Illustration: “Look here," said Lewis to Harrison. “Looks like your mistake." No, yours," said another voice behind turn. Jim Lewis turned to see Matthews standing against the door, covering him with a pistol. ”

“ I'm going to give orders. First thing, you separate yourself from this whole gang, Krenin and all the rest. To avert suspicion, we'll stage a fake arrest in Park. You can then break with Krenin, as your usefulness to him will be ended. You're an American and he won't care a hang about you anyhow.”
“I'm afraid he does, though,” she said simply. Lewis's face changed as he caught the implication.
“Oh, is that so? Very well. Leave the arrangements to me. Now, where are you to land these stones to get the reward? ”

“ Women are always dangerous. And with the precious things you carry—”
“I've thought of that,” said Lewis, with a confidential air. “Listen! Before going. I'll put these things you mention into my handbag, and lock it. You'll take care of it until I come back, in the course of the afternoon. Believe me. I shall take no chances with these stones!”
Bantoff wiped his face in relief. “Very well, very well,” he assented. “After your experience today with that man, you are running risks—but so long as your burden is safe, all right. Here, now, is a taxi—”
The three bundled into a taxicab. ”

“ He's rather influential, and arranged everything. I managed to be sent over to Krenin in Paris by the group in New York, for they knew my record was clear and nobody would suspect my activities, while they are continually watched I've been in Park ever since, working with Krenin. I arranged for a trusty man to be sent over for the jewels and persuaded Krenin to sell them in America, and so forth. My job is to get them for Grand Duke Ivan. They are worth several millions. Ten per cent. comes to me as reward if I succeed. ”

“ Le Bourget at last, without incident. Lewis wondered what would happen when Bantoff took a look at the leather cases in the grip, and grinned to himself.
Orley tramped in with him to the douane, saw him through the perfunctory examination, and had a taxicab called, as there was no bus to meet this special machine.
“My crowd are on the way here now,” said the pilot. “I'll get a bite to eat, and be ready as soon as the DH is in shape to go back. Well, old chap, good-by and good luck!” ”

“ Miss Gardner says she's going back to Paris tonight by the Southampton boat—suppose we go along and see her off, eh?”
Bantoff swallowed hard, quite taken aback by this breezy conspirator from America.
“Why—I suppose so,” he said vaguely. “You have everything?”
“Hope so,” Lewis flung open overcoat and coat, to show the leather portfolios in their pockets, while the two Russians looked on aghast. “All's well. Got your passport and money, Jenny?” ”

“ Well, are these things in mv pocket the Sergius jewels or not?”
“Yes.”
“That relieves the agony.” Lewis lighted a cigaret and leaned back. “It's your game, Jenny, so let's have the story. So long as no great separation is involved, you can count on me to back you up. Same goes for Orley, here. Are you trying to bag the stones for yourself, or for somebody else? Fit up the puzzle pieces.” ”

“ Want them to find the stones on you, eh? I guess not.”
“The stones? Those Sergius jewels you told me about?” Lewis paused at the instrument, and turned. “Why, what interest could the English police have in them?”
Matthews snarled. “You damned innocent baby—huh! Well, play your own game. You know well enough England wants to grab 'em, and so does France! You know well enough it's anybody's loot who can get it. Where do you fit in, anyhow? Are you with Krenin or not? ”

“ She has been bothered today by the attentions of a couple of Russians. If they show up here and speak to her, while I'm gone, throw 'em out—arrest them—anything!”
“With pleasure, monsieur,” and the attendant grinned. He loved Russians like most of the Parisians. He saluted, and Lewis passed on to the elevator. He must pack in a hurry, for the girl wanted to visit some of the near-by shops before dinner.
Once in his room, Lewis telephoned below and ordered two tickets and wagon-lit reservations for the Marseilles express that night, then went ahead with his packing. ”

“ He sat up, saw a tray on the table beside his bed, and investigated. There was no ice-water, but there were coffee and rolls and butter, and he piled into them at once. While eating, he investigated his surroundings. The room was rather ornately furnished in heavy French style, and very comfortable. On a chaise-lounge were laid out garments—not his own, but new and neatly folded. ”