em, and our nets are out. I
would, however, like to take your son down to headquarters, Mr. Burton,
and let him look over our photographs just to see if he can pick these
winners from the bunch."

"Certainly, sir. Certainly! Get your hat and coat, Christopher. I
believe I'll go along too, Mr. Inspector, if you are willing. My son and
I were just starting out to lunch."

"By all means; I have a car here."

"I don't suppose I could persuade you to--"

"No, thank you, Mr. Burton. I'm up to my ears in business, sir. However,
you are very kind. I must get right back to headquarters as fast as I
can."

"I see."

"This is a detailed description of the ring, is it?" continued he,
tapping an envelope he held in his hand. "Size of the diamonds, their
weight, the complete record?"

"Yes."

"Good. I guess that's all we need."

"Do you think you will be able to--"

"To land the jewels, you mean? I can't tell you that, sir. It's too
early in the game."

"I suppose so. It was a foolish question."

Evidently the inspector was of the same opinion, for he made no answer.

"Well, that's all, Hollings," announced the great man, turning to his
clerk. "You may go now."

"I hope and pray the ring may be recovered, sir. I shall not have a
happy moment until it is."

"All that must rest with the police. The case is in their keeping now,"
was his employer's terse reply.

In the meantime, Mr. Norcross had not said anything at all. He seldom
did say anything. But as the group rose to depart, he dragged himself
up out of his chair and, as if giving his blessing to the enterprise,
remarked:

"Good luck to you, Inspector!"

"Thank you, sir."

Then Christopher, his father and the Chief entered the elevator and
afterward the car that took them to headquarters.

Here the boy had displayed before him an array of photographs from which
he had not the slightest trouble in picking that of the man with the
scar; but his sharp-nosed companion he was unable to identify.

"I thought I'd recognize him anywhere," lamented Christopher. "His hair
was so black and thick that--"

At the words, the inspector jumped a little.

"Ha!" exclaimed he. "Tony wore a wig, did he?" He opened a drawer. "Any
of these look like him?"

He passed to Christopher a handful of pictures.

"There he is," cried the lad presently, choosing one out of the lot.
"There he is! Only he didn't have his glasses on."

"I fancy he isn't dependent on them all the