ump up, Queen, he must not
catch us lying down, and 'spooning.'"

A moment later Mr. Mitchel entered to find both girls seated in the most
dignified manner, reading novels. Walking over to Emily he stooped, and
kissed her lightly on the forehead, whispering "My Queen." Next he
patted Dora on the head, as one would pat a child.

"Emily I have taken the liberty of telling a friend of mine that he
might call here. You do not mind?"

"Why, of course not, Roy." She had made this name for him by eliminating
the first syllable of his second name, Leroy. She told him, that thus
she could call him King, without heralding it to the world. Almost
immediately the bell sounded again, and Mr. Barnes was introduced. Mr.
Mitchel presented him to the two ladies, and then devoted himself to
Dora, thus leaving the detective perfectly free to converse with Emily.
Being well educated, and having travelled through England early in life,
Mr. Barnes soon made himself at ease, and talked like any society man.
Presently Mr. Mitchel took Dora to the window and stood there looking
out and chatting, apparently absorbed and unobservant of the others. Mr.
Barnes decided that this was his opportunity.

"Pardon me, Miss Remsen, and let the interest of a collector excuse the
impertinence of my noticing that beautiful pin which you wear. Cameos I
think are too little appreciated nowadays. They are passed by, whilst
statuettes bring fancy prices. Yet does it not require exquisite skill
to carve so small an object?"

"I agree with you, Mr. Barnes, and am not at all angry with you for
admiring my pin. You may look at it if you wish." Saying which she took
it off and handed it to him. It was the fac-simile of those which Mr.
Mitchel wore as buttons, save that it bore the image of Shakespeare. The
cameo was mounted in a gold frame, and, surrounded by diamonds, made a
beautiful ornament. "You would never guess, Mr. Barnes that that was
once an ordinary button?"

Mr. Barnes assumed an expression of surprise as though the idea was
entirely new to him. All he said was:

"It may have been a button, but surely never an ordinary one."

"Well no, not an ordinary one of course. I suppose you know that I am
engaged to your friend?"

Mr. Barnes assented with a bow, and Emily continued:

"Shortly after we became engaged, I went to Europe, and whilst there I
came across a jeweller who produced the most beautiful carvings in cameo
and intaglio. I ordered a set