ely that the double sailor-knot remained--a very
hard knot indeed; but, alas for human calculations! something, it was
evident, having a fine keen edge, had come in contact with this cord,
and had cut it smoothly in two.

As Dave Brainerd and I saw these things, the same thought entered both
our minds, and we exchanged one swift glance of mutual meaning, after
which we stood and heard Monsieur Lausch ejaculate, and wonder, and
question the officers, discuss, and theorize, and prophesy, ourselves
saying little, and eager to be away from this place, that we might
take counsel together concerning this new thing.

Singularly enough, no one seemed to think of connecting this find
with the attack upon the guard at the bridge, and, finally, they
decided to advertise the gems, as if they were still in the hands of
the finder, who only awaited a reward to yield them up; and, as little
more could be done, Dave and myself withdrew from the council, where
we had been little more than lookers-on.

As we were taking our leave, the mail was brought in by a messenger,
and we were called back from the outer office to hear a letter read.
It was from an up-town jewellery house--at least, it bore the card of
the house--and it reported that an emerald, 'large, fine, and of great
value,' had been purchased by the head of the firm, under somewhat
suspicious circumstances, and from a woman. Further information and a
description of the woman, the letter stated, might be had by
addressing, or appointing a meeting with, the writer.

And now my interest suddenly awoke, and to such good purpose that I
managed to be chosen as the person to go to the city and interview the
writer, perhaps also the purchaser of the jewel. And this
accomplished, Brainerd and I withdrew in haste.

There was no doubt in our minds, the story told by the guard fitted
too well in Billy's tale to admit of doubt. The bag of stolen jewels
had been lost by the little brunette, and Dave was fully of my mind.

'I can't see how it was done,' he said, as we discussed the matter
later. 'But it's plain enough that she had missed the bag, and that
they were searching for it when the guard came up. Of course she
wouldn't say that she had lost a bag of jewels.'

'Hardly,' I replied. 'As for the how, I can very well see how that
string might have been severed. You know my opinions about this
brunette. A concealed knife may have done the mischief, or one of
those steels that help