Mr. Hardwick, you have lost one of your best men. How are
you going to replace him?" inquired the proprietor anxiously.

"There is little difficulty in replacing even the best man on any staff
in London," replied Hardwick, with a glance at Miss Baxter. "As this
young lady seems to keep her wits about her when the welfare of her
paper is concerned, I shall, if you have no objection, fill Henry
Alder's place with Miss Baxter?"

Mr. Hempstead arched his eyebrows a trifle, and looked at the girl in
some doubt.

"I thought you didn't believe in women journalists, Mr. Hardwick," he
murmured at last.

"I didn't up till to-day, but since the evening papers came out I have
had reason to change my mind. I should much rather have Miss Baxter for
me than against me."

"Do you think you can fill the position, Miss Baxter?" asked the
proprietor, doubtingly.

"Oh, I, am sure of it," answered the girl. "I have long wanted a place
on a well-edited paper like the _Bugle_." Again Mr. Hardwick smiled
grimly. The proprietor turned to him, and said, "I don't quite see,
Mr. Hardwick, what a lady can do on this paper outside of the regular
departments."

"I hardly think there will be any trouble about that, Mr. Hempstead. For
example, who could be better equipped to attempt the solution of that
knotty question about the Princess von Steinheimer's diamonds?"

"By Jove!" cried Hempstead, his eyes glittering with excitement. "That
is an inspiration. I imagine that if anyone can unravel the mystery, it
is Miss Baxter."

CHAPTER IV. JENNIE LEARNS ABOUT THE DIAMONDS OF THE PRINCESS.

"What about the diamonds of the Princess?" asked Miss Baxter, her
curiosity piqued by the remark of the editor.

"That is rather a long story," replied Mr. Hardwick, "and before I begin
it, I would like to ask you one or two questions. Can you manipulate a
typewriter?"

"That depends on what make it is. The ordinary typewriter I understand
very thoroughly."

"Good. Have you any knowledge of shorthand?"

"A workable knowledge; I can write about one hundred words a minute."

"Admirable! admirable! Your coming to this office was indeed an
inspiration, as Mr. Hempstead remarked. You are just the person I have
been looking for."

"You didn't seem to think so yesterday, Mr. Hardwick," said the girl
with a sly glance at him.

"Well, many things have happened since yesterday. We are now dealing
with to-day, and with the Princess von Steinheimer."