ear watching."

As to the room, his inspection of it was of little use. He had not
expected much. He had come to see Miss Stevens, principally, and in her
case the investigation had certainly begun better than he could have
reasonably expected. She was engaged in some secret affair. She
concealed letters from her mother. She had bribed one of the servants.
This last fact was proven by the manner in which the letter had been
delivered to her.

As he was turning these matters over in his mind, Mrs. Stevens and her
daughter entered the room.

"What have you discovered, Mr. Carter?" asked the girl. "You must know
that my mother has told me all about this strange affair, and I am
deeply interested."

"I have learned nothing," said Nick, "except that this room can be
easily entered, even when the doors are locked.

"Take this door leading to the rear room, for instance. The key was on
this side, it is true, but it turns very easily. A person with a pair of
nippers could get in without trouble, and lock the door afterward.

"I can't tell from the appearance of the key whether or not this was
done, but I think it probable."

"You mean that somebody came in here while mother was at lunch, and put
the jewels where they were found?"

"Exactly."

"But who could it have been?"

"I don't know," answered Nick, frankly.

"And how do you explain the presence of that other pin in the box?"
asked Mrs. Stevens.

"There is an explanation," said Nick; "but I prefer not to give it now."

"As you please," responded the lady, haughtily. "I can only say that I
trust you will find this thief speedily, and end this annoyance to which
we are being subjected."

"I don't think it ought to be hard for a person of your abilities," said
Miss Stevens. "I have already solved the puzzle."

"And who is the guilty person?" asked Nick, with a smile.

"Colonel Richmond, of course."

"Why should he do this?"

"Because he's crazy. That's reason enough."

"I'd like to hear you explain your theory a little further."

"Why, Mr. Carter, I'm surprised at you. Is there any motive for this
so-called crime? No. Then it must be a crazy person's work. Is there
more than one lunatic among us? Certainly not. So, as two and two make
four, and the sun doesn't rise in the west, Colonel Richmond is the
man. What kind of a detective do you think I'd make?"

"There isn't any one alive who could compare with you," said Nick.

"You're joking."

"No; I