nge behavior on that occasion. She had read of the Palmer
robbery and the circumstances of his being kidnapped, and she realized at
once, upon being introduced to him when he had mispronounced her name,
that his suspicions had fastened upon her.

She shook hands cordially with Mr. Cutler, and remarked that, while she
experienced some vexation and mortification over the discovery that the
crescents were spurious, the imposition had taught her a lesson, and
she should henceforth purchase her diamonds of a reliable dealer in such
articles.

"But," she added, gayly, "I shall never see a diamond crescent after this
without asking the owner to allow me to examine it. I believe I shall
turn detective myself and try to ferret out the original ones if they are
still in existence."

She bowed smilingly to the three gentlemen, and passed out of the room,
leaning upon the arm of her husband.

"Well, Ray," Mr. Palmer remarked, as they wended their way to the store,
"we may as well give up our diamonds once for all; I have not the
slightest hope that we shall ever see them again. If we ever do find
them," he added, with an arch glance, "I'll present them to your wife
on her wedding day--that is, if they come to light before that event
occurs."

"Then my wife is to have no diamonds unless the stolen ones are found?"
Ray responded, in a tone of laughing inquiry.

"I did not mean to imply that, my boy," Mr. Palmer responded. "I will
present your wife with diamonds, and fine ones, too, when I am introduced
to her."

"Then I will give you three months in which to make your selection," Ray
retorted, with animation.

"Whew! you are hopeful, my son, or else you have had good news of your
lady-love," the elder gentleman exclaimed, with surprise. "You are a sly
dog, and I thought you seemed happier than usual, when you came to
Hazeldean. You must tell me more about it when you have time. But three
days will be time enough for my selections for your wife, and she shall
have the stolen ones also, if they are ever recovered."

Mr. Rider was the most disappointed one of the whole party, for he had
been so sure of his game; while he had been doggedly persistent for over
three years in trying to hunt down the tricky woman, who had imposed upon
Justin Cutler, and it was a bitter pill for him to swallow, to discover,
just as he believed himself to be on the verge of success, that he was
only getting deeper into the mire.

"She is the keen