ior partner hung up the receiver.

"I guess the incident is as good as closed," remarked he. "In my opinion
we can bid good-by to those diamonds and accept our burglar insurance
with thankfulness that our loss was not greater."

"But Stuart's pal may show up yet, Dad," ventured the optimistic
Christopher, who chanced at the moment to be in the office.

"I doubt it." Skeptically Mr. Burton shook his head. "More likely he
has decided New York is too hot for him and has left town for pastures
new."

"He may be lying low," asserted the habitually silent Mr. Norcross.

"Possibly."

Nevertheless, despite his acquiescence, Mr. Burton returned to his
letters with an air indicative that at least, so far as he was
concerned, the possibility he granted was an exceedingly remote one--too
remote to merit further consideration.

And indeed it did appear to be so until one day, like a meteor out of
the heavens, a grimy communication postmarked Chicago was brought to
Christopher, who in a fit of boredom was roaming aimlessly about the
lamp department.

"I guess this is meant for you, Mr. Christopher," announced the
messenger, whose duty it was to distribute the store mail. "Funny way to
address it, though. You'd take it for a valentine:

_Mr. Burton's son
Care Burton and Norcross, Jewellers,
New York City._"

"That's me all right," cried Christopher, forgetting in his excitement
and curiosity such a trivial incidental as grammar.

He took the letter, regarding with amusement its disreputable
appearance.

"Humph! They didn't waste very dressy stationery on me, did they?"
laughed he.

"It isn't deckle-edge paper with a ducal seal, if that is what you're
expecting," grinned the boy, not unwilling to air his knowledge of such
matters.

As with an impish grimace he disappeared Christopher tore open the
envelope he held and drew from it a single crushed manilla sheet on
which was scrawled:

I told you it was not impossible for a thief to be a gentleman,
and to prove it, I am tipping you off about that ring. I
wouldn't do this either for your father or for Corrigan, but
you're such a decent little chap I'd like you to have the thing
back again. Besides, as I am in quod for a long term, the
sparklers will do me no good. At 184 Speedwell St. (Suite 6) I
hold a room under the name of Carlton. You will find the loot
hidden in the flooring under a narrow board between th