aking a similar offer. It would scarcely be proper for
me to accept two rewards for one service."

"Then you refuse to help me?"

"On the contrary, I will use my utmost endeavors to detect the thief and
recover your property for you. But I need no money from you."

"You are very conscientious, Mr. Barnes, and I admire it. I honor a man
who places his duty above money."

"I thank you for your courteous remark. Now, if I am to help you, you
must begin by assisting me."

"I will do whatever I can, certainly."

"Then tell me, have you no suspicion as to who might have taken your
jewel?" The girl hesitated, and the detective watched her face keenly.
As she did not reply at once, he asked another question.

"Did you feel the person take the pin from your hair?"

"Yes, I did, but I did not realize what was occurring till he had it!"

"Why did you not make any resistance, or cry out?"

Again she hesitated, but in a moment she said firmly:

"I know that you have a right to ask me these questions, and I will
reply to them if you insist upon it. But first tell me, would it be
right for me to call a name to you, as one that I may have suspected,
when I had but the flimsiest excuse for my suspicion? Might I not thus
do more harm than good by attracting your attention to a false scent?"

"That is certainly a possibility, Miss Remsen, but it is one which I am
inclined to risk. I mean that I prefer to trust to my experience, than
to have you omit to tell me your suspicions."

"Very well, only promise me that you will not jump to conclusions, and
thus perhaps annoy the person whom I shall name."

"I agree to that. I will take no action without sufficient reason other
than that furnished by yourself."

"Very well. You asked if I suspected any one, and again why I did not
resist the thief. If you will remember, my head was bowed. At first I
could not understand how something seemed to move my pin. I fancied that
it had become entangled in the Sultan's robe. Then the clock began to
chime, and in a moment it flashed across my mind that perhaps Mr.
Mitchel was taking my pin, in order to win his wager. Therefore I said
nothing. This makes my action clear to you?"

"Perfectly. Then I am to understand that Mr. Mitchel did not tell you in
advance that he would do this?"

"No, he did not, and that is why I have sent for you."

"I don't understand you."

"Why, all the time that I thought he had the pin I was not worried. I
e