would be the better for what
she had secured.

"You are very good, miss," she said, gratefully; "the pain is all gone
from my tooth, and I feel ever so much better."

"Your sleep has quieted your nerves; but I advise you to see a dentist
and have the tooth attended to," Mona returned; then hastened away to her
room, where she dressed herself for the street and went out.

Mrs. Montague had been out for a long time driving with some friends.

Mona inquired of an elderly, respectable policeman, whom she found
standing upon a corner, where she should go to find a detective.

He directed her to the headquarters of the force, although he looked
surprised at the question coming from such a source, and she repaired
thither at once.

As she entered the office, a quiet-looking man, who was the only occupant
at that time, arose and came forward, bowing respectfully; but he also
appeared astonished to see a young and beautiful girl in such a place.

"I wish to see a detective," said Mona, flushing hotly beneath the man's
curious glance.

"The men connected with this office are all out just at this moment,
miss. I am a stranger, and only sitting here for a half-hour or so, just
to oblige the officer in charge," the man courteously replied.

"I am very sorry," said the young girl, with a sigh, "for I have come
upon business which ought to be attended to immediately."

"I am a detective, miss, although I do not belong here. I'm an officer
from New York; but if you see fit to tell me your business, perhaps I
might advise you," said the officer, kindly, for he saw that she was
greatly troubled.

"You are from New York!" Mona exclaimed, eagerly; "then perhaps it will
be better for me to tell you, rather than a St. Louis detective; for the
robbery happened in New York."

The detective's eyes flashed with sudden interest at this.

"Ah!" was all he said, however, and this very quietly.

"Yes, it was a diamond robbery. A dress worn by one of the persons
connected with it was torn; a small piece was entirely cut out of it. I
have found the dress; I have fitted the piece into the rent, and now I
want the woman who owns it to be arrested and examined," Mona explained,
in low, excited tones, but very comprehensively.

"Ah!" said the detective again, in the same quiet tone; "you have
reference to the Palmer robbery."

Mona lifted a pair of very astonished eyes to his face.

"Yes," she responded, breathlessly; "but how did you