nk."

"Why shouldn't I have taken them to a dealer in precious stones?" said
Croyden.

"Because that would make the best sort of evidence against you. You
must remember, he thinks you have the jewels, and that you will try to
conceal it, pending a Government investigation."

"You make him a very canny gentleman."

"No--I make him only a clever rogue, which, by your own account, he
is."

"And the more clever he is, the more he will have his wits' work for
naught. There's some compensation in everything--even in failure!"

"It would be a bit annoying," observed Macloud, "to be visited by
burglars, who are obsessed with the idea that you have a fortune
concealed on the premises, and are bent on obtaining it."

"Annoying?--not a bit!" smiled Croyden. "I should rather enjoy the
sport of putting them to flight."

"Or of being bound, and gagged, and ill-treated."

"Bosh! you've transferred your robber-barons from Northumberland to the
Eastern Shore."

"No, I haven't!" laughed Macloud. "The robber-barons were still on the
job in Northumberland. These are banditti, disguised as burglars, about
to hold you up for ransom."

"I wish I had your fine imagination," scoffed Croyden. "I could make a
fortune writing fiction."

"Oh, you're not so bad yourself!" Macloud retorted. Then he smiled.
"Apropos of fortunes!" and nodded toward the envelope on the table.
"It's bully good to think you're coming back to us!"

At that moment Moses passed along the hall.

"Here, Moses," said Croyden, "take this letter down to the post
office--I want it to catch the first mail."

"I fancy you haven't heard of the stranger since last evening?" Macloud
asked.

Croyden shook his head.

"And of course you haven't told any one?"

"Yes, I have!" said Croyden.

"A woman?"

"A woman."

"How strange!" commented Macloud, mockingly. "I suppose you even told
her the entire story--from the finding of the letter down to date."

"I did!--and showed her the letter besides. Why shouldn't I have done
it?"

"No reason in the world, my dear fellow--except that in twenty-four
hours the dear public will know it, and we shall be town curiosities."

"We don't have to remain," said Croyden, with affected seriousness--"there
are trains out, you know, as well as in."

"I don't want to go away--I came here to visit you."

"We will go together."

"But we can't take the Symphony in Blue!"

"Oh! that's it!" Croyden laughed.

"Certainly, that's