argest gem of its kind in the
world, from beneath the eyes of an armed guard.

The stone was a perfect cut, pronounced priceless only last
week when it was first seen by Tiffany experts.

George Lardner, the owner of the Owl Limb, one of the city's
newest night spots, had taken it from a private vault to
display in a special dance.

Miss Sylvia Fanton, who danced with the gem has also
disappeared, but Lardner insists that she was well known to
him and could have had no hand in the robbery.

This story is feasible, as the gown Miss Fanton was wearing
at the time has been discovered badly torn in a State Street
alley. Murder of the dancer is suspected.

* * * * *

Drake tossed the paper across the room.

"Rubbish!" His eyes were clear and snapping now. The night of
adventure was thrown from his mind. "It couldn't happen, Puffy. We
were seeing things."

Adams picked up the _Star_ carefully, thumbed toward the last page and
held the news sheet where Drake could see another, much smaller
caption.

"Look at this," he begged. "You'll sing another song."

Jim took the sheet again, as though afraid he _would_ believe the
impossible. This story was short, and wedged in at the bottom of a
last page.

ZOO OFFICIALS CAPTURE FOX RUNNING WILD IN CITY STREET

Captured while trotting calmly down a State Street alley
early today, a perfect silver fox has found its home at
Wildwood Zoo.

Keepers chuckled when asked for a statement to the press.
They expect a fox farm to place a claim on the valuable
animal within twenty-four hours.

The fox was in perfect condition, with a deep, rich black
coat, tufted with snow white tips on each hair.

The Mayor has already offered to convert the pelt into a
cape for his wife, should an owner fail to claim the animal.

Jim Drake shuddered.

"I was drunker than I had any business being last night," he said
finally. "Did it all happen, what I saw?"

Puffy Adams grinned woefully. He drew his arm from behind his back and
displayed a clean, bandaged wrist.

"I got teeth marks an inch deep in my wrist," he said. "What do you
think?"'

Drake was out of bed in one bound. He pulled his slippers on
hurriedly.

"Plenty of hot water for a shower?"

"Coming up!"

Puffy retreated toward the bathroom door. Over his shoulder he asked.

"Goin