ence you. But has anything else
happened?"

"Yes," answered Mr. Grafton, "there has."

"What?" asked the colonel.

"Well, I've come to say that I don't think I'll need your services any
more."

"Not need them?"

"No. And I wish to pay you and thank you. I'm ever so much obliged to
you for what you have done--"

"But I haven't done anything yet. I haven't--Oh, I see. You are not
satisfied with my work on your behalf. Well, I can't say I blame you,
for really I haven't had time to give it as much consideration as I'd
like. Still that couldn't be helped and--"

"Oh, don't misunderstand me, Colonel Ashley. I am not at all
dissatisfied," and Mr. Grafton held up a protesting hand. "The truth
is, I'll not need your services in helping me to recover the diamond
cross for Mrs. Larch--or Miss Ratchford, as she calls herself since the
separation. You can drop that case, Colonel."

"Drop it?"

"Yes, the diamond cross has been recovered. I just had a letter from
Cyn--from Miss Ratchford, saying she has the cross."

"She has the missing diamond cross?" fairly cried the detective.

"Yes."

"Where did she get it. Could Spotty--" The colonel whispered the
last name to himself and then stopped short.

"I don't know. I just had a telegram from her, and I am going to see
her now to learn the particulars," went on Aaron Grafton. "She is in
Pompey, you know--where she used to live as a girl, and where I--
Well, I'm going to see her. I came to tell you the diamond cross
mystery is solved and if you will let me know what I owe you I'll send
you a check."

"Oh, that part will be all right, Mr. Grafton. But I don't understand."

"Nor do I," flung back Aaron Grafton over his shoulder, as he left the
colonel's room, rather hastily. "I'll tell you as soon as I've seen
Miss Ratchford. Good-bye!" and he was gone.

For a moment the colonel remained motionless in the middle of the room.
Then a queer look came over his face as he murmured:

"Now I wonder whether he's telling the truth--or lying! Is the diamond
cross in her possession, or did Grafton say that so I'd drop the case
and--leave him out of it? I wonder. And, by the same token of
wondering I think I'd better not let you get too far away from me, Mr.
Grafton. You will bear a little closer watching."

CHAPTER XVII

"A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW"

"Well," remarked Colonel Ashley briskly to himself, "there are two or
three things I've got to do, and