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About The Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 19??-1984 | View Entire Issue (July 7, 1917)
THE SHEEP’S CLOTHING By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE 1 = Author of :—_ — = "THE LONE WOLF," THE BRASS BOWL,” Etc. =====-: HERMISTON HERALD, THE CUSTOMS INSPECTORS AT NEW YORK TAKE A HAND ANO THE SUSPICION GROWS THAT LYDIA KNOWS MORE THAN HER NEW FRIENDS SUSPECT Synopsis— Lydia Craven, traveling under the name of Lucy Car teret, runs away from her English home to go to her father, Thaddeus Craven, in New York, who she hasn't seen in five years. Three nights out on board the steamer Aisatta, she runs plump into her father mak ing love to Mrs. Merrilees, a young widow, engaged to marry him. Later Craven explains his mysterious conduct and supposed bachelor hood by telling Lydia he Is a British secret service agent In America. He gives her a small box to keep for him. She is attacked. The box Is stolen, but Quoin, a detective, recovers it for the girl. HERMISTON, OREGON. SHEEP’S CLOTHING Hr By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE abruptly to turn and examine the deputy with the eye of disfavor. “Yes?" she asked brusquely. The deputy introduced himself. “The Inspector has Just Informed me of this —er—unfortunate matter,” he pursued. “And I thought I might possibly be able to help straighten it out.” “Kind of you, I’m sure.” But the tone of Mrs. Merrilees completely be lled this statement. “Have you any thing to propose?” “If I might have the privilege of a word In private—” the deputy suggest ed blandly. Quoin made as if to withdraw. “Wait, please. This is Mr. Quoin. You may have heard of him.” “Who hasn’t?” the deputy returned pleasantly. “Proud to meet you, sir.” "Mr. Quoin has kindly volunteered to help me in this—outrage. Anything you wish to say he may hear.” “As you please, madam, but—" The glance of the deputy veered significant ly to Peter and Lydia. ! “No!” Mrs. Merrilees insisted warm ly. “You can have nothing to say that any of my friends may not hear.” "Then, madam—permit me to advise you, in all deference—” “Well?” “It will save you a great deal of trouble to produce the original collar, pay the duty on it, and—” "Quoin!” Betty exclaimed In a tone of Irritated perplexity. “What can this person mean?” Quoin was silent. “I don’t mean,” the deputy pursued, unabashed, "to be offensive; but—the Inference Is unavoidable. You are known to have purchased a valuable pearl collar in Paris—” “I believe I declared it !” “But upon examination you produce only a comparatively worthless imita tion, and assert that you have been robbed of the original.” “I assert I I have asserted nothing.” Mrs. Merrilees drew a long breath, closed her teeth with a vindictive snap, and reopened them to observe with withering distinctness, “Go away ! You are insolent ! You presume—oh, you annoy me ! Do go—before I forget my self !” “We can't assess an imitation at the value of the real necklace, of course, and yet we know that the original is coming into this country by this boat.” “Then permit me to recommend the other passengers to your attention.” “We’ll do our best to overhaul them all, I promise you. But if the goods don’t turn up, we’ll feel reluctantly compelled to make a thorough search, not only of your luggage but of your self as well, Mrs. Merrilees.” “Quoin !” Mrs. Merrilees appealed. The investigator shook his head. “It’s too bad ; but I really don't see what’s to be done about it. These peo ple have the power to make things mighty unpleasant for you unless—” “What, you too?” she hissed, with vast dramatic expression. “No, no!” Quoin protested hastily. “Don't misunderstand me. I'm only afraid that, unless the necklace shows up, you’ll have to submit.” “Very well !” With a shrug of de fiance, Mrs. Merrilees showed Quoin an ungracious back. To the deputy she added with blighting disdain, “Go ahead. And while you’re finding noth ing in my trunks you may as well send for a female inspector to search me. But every one of you will suffer for this—or I’ll know the reason why !” “I’m sorry, madam.” But there wasn’t much uneasiness betrayed in the deputy collector’s man ner as he signed to the Inspector to do his hateful duty. The three friends of Mrs. Merrilees, on the other hand, were acutely uncom fortable—Quoin in disgrace, Peter Traft firmly convinced that the deputy was right and consequently afraid to meet Betty's eyes, and Lydia not only sore distressed with misgivings, but re pelled by Betty's attitude. And this was the phase of the affair disclosed to Craven when he bustled up, aglow with satisfaction. “Hello, people! I’m all clear. Had the deuce of a time—the silly ass want ed to rook me for duds I brought in as long ago as 1908; but— What’s the row?” This last was In a tone radically changed, and at the same Instant his fiancee decided to acknowledge him on probation, however rigidly she might elect to deny the rest of humanity. So she unbent enough to beckon him with a nod; and Craven hurried on to get his answer from the one most con cerned. WHEN THE CUSTOMS INSPECTORS DISCOVER THAT MRS. peurl suspended between the blue of please do your worst as quickly as haze-veiled sky and the blue of conflu possible.” MERRILEES HAS BROUGHT IN A LOT OF IMITATION “Very well, ma'am. I’ll hurry you ent waters. “Then let me see you back to your through as fast as I can. ” “Arthur Rackham must have colored JEWELS THEY SUSPECT HER OF TRYING TO stateroom, and I’ll—" It became immediately apparent it,” Lydia mused aloud. “No, I—I'd rather wait here. I must PLAY A SMUGGLING TRICK “Wait—this is only the overture— that the man wasn’t disposed to doubt know tonight—I can’t sleep without wait till you see it as I mean to show the eincerlty of her conversation. The knowing—” it to you—bridlepaths In Central park luggage she had indicated as innocent Admiration kindled in Quoin's re of a sunny morning, Broadway at night of dutiable goods he passed with the Synopsis—Lydia Craven, traveling as Lucy Carteret, runs away gard. He liked that spirit She had with a full head of steam on, South most perfunctory examination, while from her English home to go to her father, Thaddeus Craven, in New Seen quick to recover, quicker than the street at noon with the old sailing the millinery and other declared pur York, whom she hasn't seen for five years. Three days out on board average woman would have been. ships asleep in the sun and their fore- chases detained him only briefly. the steamer Alsatia, she runs plump into Craven, making love to Mrs. “Very well,” he assented. “Everything is quite O. K„ thanks Merrilees, a young widow, engaged to marry him. Later Craven ex feet up on the sidewalk, Fifth avenue They moved forward. Opposite the at evening, lights like big pearls pop to you, ma'am. And now if you will plains his mysterious conduct and supposed bachelorhood by telling companionway Lydia paused. Lydia he is a British secret service agent In America. She is attacked ping out through the purple dusk—” let me have a look at that necklace. "Will you be long?” at night and a small box containing supposed valuable documents, Ostentatiously drawing a handker I’ve sent for the appraiser. He’ll be “Not ten minutes,” Quoin promised. chief from his cuff, Peter mopped his along in a minute." which he has given her to keep for him, is stolen. This is recovered His figure momentarily eclipsed the brows. "Beg pardon. Being poetical The box was already unlocked. Mrs. for her by Quoin, an amateur detective. When the party lands at New blur of light that stood for the door- under forced draft Is a bit exhaust Merrilees promptly removed the leath York, Lydia, carrying the small box, has no trouble passing the customs way. er-bound Jewel case and handed it to Inspection. When Mrs. Merrilees declares a $60,000 necklace, the In ing.” Indeed it was hardly more than ten spector tells her It Is worth about $300—Just an Imitation. This infor “Yoar prose isn’t anything to boast the Inspector. minutes when the doorway was again of. H ry James at his most arro Touching the spring, he let the lid mation astounds them and Mrs. Merrilees raises a row. darkened, and Quoin came to Lydia’s gant wis never more unintelligible.” fly up, exposing the pearl collar. As side. “Oh, you’ll wise up to it quick If dazzled, he blinked furiously. “She’s “Was I long? I'm sorry. I had to be her, a regard somehow faintly remi enough But mind there’ll be nothing a daisy !” he announced with unction. CHAPTER X. rather severe before they gave in— doing in the poetry line after we’re “Finest piece of the sort that’s come niscent of their parting subsequent to —11— and up.” The silence was short-lived ; but her adventure of the night before last. married. I know my limitations, and through this year, or I’m no Judge.” “You succeeded?" He laughed qui Momentarily his interest shifted to while it lasted a power of scorn She favored him with her shadowy, I couldn't stand the pace.” etly. “Here it is.” the bill of the Parisian Jeweler. played like lightning round the de enigmatic smile, now vaguely tinted Here an apologetic steward caught Mute in astonishment, speechless “Three hundred thousand francs— with solicitude. with gratitude, she took the puzzle box Peter’s eye. “Beg pardon, Mr. Traft, sixty thousand dollars,” he mused rated head of the appraiser. Nodding briefly, with a thoughtful but you ’ re wanted In the dining sa As for Lydia and Peter (who had from his extended hand. aloud. “You got it cheap, ma’am, if lust Joined the group), they gaped In air, Quoin returned his consideration loon to acknowledge your declara “A crook known as Southpaw Smith I'm any Judge.” ipen amazement ; while the Inspector to Peter and the article de Paris. —be deals left-handed—had It, togeth tion." “Nonsense!” Mrs. Merrilees retort ooked sorry for Charlie. "I simply cannot understand it !” “ Thanks, ” said Peter sulkily. “ I er with the father and mother of all ed indignantly. "As if an American Betty declared, abandoning the puzzle black eyes. I was almost sorry for presume It’s got to be tended to. You, ever got anything cheap In Paris— After lightning, thunder, remote, as hopeless. Then, catching sight of naestoso, “Are—you—mad ?” him. ‘George Traymore’ Is his alias too, Miss Craven.” and from Cottier’s, of all places ! By “Me? No, ma’am, not a bit. It’s the detective, she hailed him. “Quoin, “ But I ’ ve already made my acknowl on the passenger list. A tall, slender every right you ought to assess the lothing to me, you know.” do come here at once!” and Immedi scoundrel—very, very smooth. Not edgment, Mr. Traft. I'm so sorry !” “I wish I could believe you were!” duty on not more than forty thousand “Don’t quibble, if you please. I ately, heedless of bystanders, began that you're likely to see him before we dollars." vant to know whether or not you’re to detail her perplexity in a high, land, if then. He’ll lay very low and said Peter vindictively, and went a mo "Well,” the Inspector suggested in laft. You know perfectly well that querulous voice. rose way without her. make the quietest getaway from the After a moment or two Lydia rose He would have been less downcast dulgently, “we’ll Just see what the ap- necklace is worth ninety—sixty thou- dock he can manage—” praiser says. There he Is now. Hey, “Mr. Quoin !” the girl interrupted In could he have guessed how soon the Charlie, step over here a minute, will ¡and dollars. Look at the bill. In- and Joined Peter Traft. "Poor dear!” spector, be good enough to show this she said gently, with a slight nod to girl was to miss him. Alone and with a tremulous voice. you?” correct any possible misconception as person Cottier’s bill.” out distraction, imagination was hag “Yes?” In response to this hail, a slender, Her embarrassment was painful. ridden by the care of that wretched bespectacled young man In O section The appraiser examined the receipt to the object of her sympathy. “I’m “What can I say to you? Mere thanks puzzle box. It was still safe In her nodded assent, picked his way through vith ostensible astonishment. “I don’t so sorry for her !” understand this, ma’am,” he faltered. “Well,” said Peter, impressively possession—that was the worst of It ! aren’t adequate.” the barrier of trunks, and, recognizing judgmatical, “of course Betty can af “Please say no more. To know I’ve Nevertheless, she had as yet said Mrs. Merrilees, touched the vizor of a “Nor I!” “Cottier’s don’t deal In imitations, ford to lose these trinkets by the gross ; been of some use is enough. Besides,” nothing to Craven about the attack cap bearing the word “Appraiser.” : know,” he pursued with greater con- but, granted she isn’t faking, it's a he laughed boyishly, “I’ve had a good In the fog, fearing lest he might insist “Mrs. Merrilees has declared her Idence. “All the same, I’ll stake my pretty puzzle, isn’t it?” time bullyragging Southpaw. I like resuming charge of the puzzle box; and so, perhaps, put himself in the necklace, Charlie,” said the Inspector, ob that those are fish-skin pearls, “Faking !” Lydia echoed resentfully. that sort of thing, you know.” way of some perils more vital even handing over the case. “And here’s aste brilliants, and—well, the set- “Now don’t get huffy—please ! “I shall be always grateful—” Betty’s a darling, and everything like ‘Then do something to oblige me. than that which had befallen her. And the bill ; but she wants you to take a Ings, I admit, are genuine.” slant at It for value." “Then your Job Is as good as lost. that; but she’s got no conscientious [ sha'u't be easy in my mind until her father was all she had ! Nodding again, the appraiser nar ! shall file a complaint and have you scruples about smuggling—none that When they were free to stream you’re safe in your room.” you’d notice—and I don’t mind telling Transition from the gloom of the down the gangway to the pier Craven, rowed his eyes and surveyed the neck lischarged for incompetence.” deck to the brilliantly lighted compan consigning Lydia to the care of Peter lace with an expression of some mys “If you’ll pardon me, I don’t be- you she isn't above turning a trick like this—acting up to It too. She’s one ionway was bewildering. Instinctively Traft, rushed off to commandeer the tification. Then he pursed his Ups in leve you will, Mrs. Merrilees.” Quoin and Lydia paused. The girl first available customs Inspectors for a noiseless whistle, looked bewilder “Easy, Betty!” Peter Traft inter- wonderful young comedienne, if you smiled wistfully as she offered her himself and Mrs. Merrilees. So that ment at Mrs. Merrilees, and stepped osed. “Perhaps he’s right, after all.” don’t know It.” “ ‘Turn a trick like this !’ What does it was Peter who piloted Lydia to aside with the jewel case to a spot “Be quiet, Peter. When I want your hand. where sunlight, through a wide open idvice. I’ll let you know. Certainly that mean” Lydia demanded stiffly. “Good-night—and thank you with all C section, hunted up her trunk, and “Have her dog collar duplicated in took her place In the rank at the ing, threw a brilliant splash of gold ' ought to know when I paid for that my heart, Mr, Quoin !” paste and fish scales, substitute it for “Miss Craven,”—he retained her chief Inspector’s desk ; with the re athwart the tempered gloom of the .•ollar—” “Then you have been shamefully hand for a moment—“will you toll me sult that the luggage of "L. Carteret, pier-shed. Here he subjected the Spinster," was quickly passed, and, necklace to minute inspection with a heated, Mrs. Merrilees," the inspec- one thing?” Peter reluctantly leaving her to pass magnifying glass. Finally, wearing or put in. “If I may—anything—” Illegible expression, he turned “Quite impossible. I know real His eyes searched hers jealously. his own impedimenta, she was at lib an fems from articles de Paris, and I ex- erty to garner what diversion she back. “Do you know what's In that box?" imined this necklace with the great- might from the trials of others. “ It's a corking good thing, ” he an “No. Mr. Quoin! Upon my word of •st care before I purchased it. Since nounced in an odd tone. “ We don ’ t Tn that section her father was duti honor, no." fully but perspiringly In optimistic get many like it ; but the workman hen It has never left this box, which Her eyes were limpid pools of In endeavor to persuade his particular ship on this is immense ! Call it three wasn’t been out of my care an instant genuous candor. Quoin could no •xcept when in the purser’s safe.” Inspector that he hadn't perjured him hundred at the outside.” longer doubt. He nodded, releasing self In his sworn declaration. Notic “What !” Mrs. Merrilees blazed in "I’m sorry, but I know what I her hand. ing Lydia's indignant interest. Craven dignantly. “Three hundred thousand tnow. If you’re the Judge you think “Thank you.” Ridiculous ! Look at the rourself, ma’am, I can only suggest paused only long enough to lift a fur dollars ! “But,” she lingered, "do you?" hat you take this to the light and— tive eyebrow and draw down the cor bill—” T do,” he admitted reluctantly. ners of his mouth, thus signifying a Jere, I’ll lend you my magnifying “ No, ma ’ am," the appraiser inter “Not through any wish of mine. But glass.” conviction that his troubles were Southpaw had only succeeded in puz wholly due to the pernicious interfer rupted with mournful decision, "not “Thank you, I sha’n’t require it” three hundred thousand, but Just zling the combination out when I in ence of his political antagonists, even three hundred dollars; duty a hun With a gesture of rage, Mrs. Merri- terrupted. I made him put back—what ns predicted. dred and eighty (sixty per cent ad ees snatched the case from the ap- he'd taken from the box. Don’t worry. val.), and If you like I’ll get someone raiser’s hands and moved toward the She returned the least of nods, in I've already forgotten what it was. else to size it up and see if maybe patch of sunlight. Before she had dicating that the puzzle box was And Southpaw won't bother you again reached it, studying the collar atten- we can ’t shade that a bit." safe — as it was, in her suede handbag, —I promise you that." “Wha-at!’ Mrs. Merrilees almost vely on the way, Lydia saw her Her eyes questioned anxiously, his which, dangling from her wrist by its slacken pace and falter. smiled reassurance. With yet another leather strap, had quite escaped the shrieked. One short minute in that strong attention of the inspector. “If it was real stuff I'd be sure, good-night, Lydia turned away. Then, remembering Craven’s hint ma’am," the appraiser apologized; flare sufficed. As pale in mystifica- He watched her down the alleyway ion as she had previously been with to the door of B75, then turned to seek that it would be well not to attract “but you can’t always tell about these wrath, Mrs. Merrilees returned. too much attention to their relation imitations like you can regular “Then You Have Been Shamefully his own berth, shaking his head to rid “I owe you an apology,” she in ship until clear of the customs, the girl stones.” Cheated, Mrs. Merrilees,” the Inspec .t of tormenting doubts. formed the appraiser In a shaking tor Put In. - Softly closing the door, Lydia as turned away to kill time until her voice. “It’s a palpable imitation.” gently shot the bolt, hoping to gain father should be free. The box slipped from her grasp and the original article, and pretend she’s The whole party of friends of Over the way. In Section B, Lydia ! her bed unquestioned. But as she vent to the floor with a bump, spilling been Jockied like one o'clock. Mind Mrs. Merrilees get the surprise found Mrs. Beggarstaff, surrounded moved toward it in darkness the Dow- ts trashy contents, and Mrs. Merri- you, I don't say she has done that ; but ef their lives when the customs ager Dragon suddenly switched on the by an array of luggage to do credit ees flopped Incontinently to a con- the little devil's got it In her.” inspectors make a certain dis- lights and lifted from her pillow an to an army corps, light of battle in | renient trunk — Lydia’s ready arm "I don’t believe you!” covery. It's all told In the next ndignant head framed In a nightcap, her eyes, words of bitter wit upon her 1 “There!” Peter complained. “Now round her shoulders. installment. ready lips, in pitched combat with a the most coquettishly beribboned Imag "But, my dear!” Betty wailed. "It’s you’re sore. Didn't I tell you the other graceless skeptic of an Inspector. inable. perfectly preposterous!" day the foolishest thing a chap, could Near by, three dock porters, two ship (TO BE CONTINUED.) "Well ?" she demanded tartly. "Where The appraiser looked at once bored do was to take things seriously, es newsmen, half a dozen assorted citi- have you been, if you please?” tnd dubious. Peter Traft batted be- pecially out loud?” Fox Worried by Food Problem. Lydia showed her a countenance in- sens, and a brace of customs apprais “You’re—horrid !” It is not often that the sly fox re wildered eyes, then with a helpful air nocent of any trace of guile. “On ers whose duties were immediate and The adjective was childish ; but picked up the box and replaced its leek," she said quietly, removing her elsewhere, hung In breathless Interest veals to man his method of securing ran tents. The inspector swung sharp- Lydia wasn't in a mood to search for cloak with Its sprinkling of moisture upon the issue of the fray, one and all his daily rations ; so that men of Can e more dignified. She turned a frosty ton Centre. Conn., who were hauling y round and made off, with every evi- that glittered like diamond dust. "The grinning broadly. oulder to the young man; but the Lydia gathered an impression that logs were quite surprised recently to lence of inspired haste, toward a dis foghorn, you know—and I wasn't seed of suspicion had been planted in sleepy, anyway. It's wonderful ont the Dowager Dragon had found a foe see a large red fox on the hillside only tant quarter of the pier. "Let me think! ” Mrs. Merrilees said the mind of one who couldn't forget about ten rods from the team. He was there, so still and dark nnd nncanny. man worthy of her steel ; then hurried how lightly Betty bad confessed to You'd think almost anything could hap- on to Section M and Betty Merrilees. not the least bit disturbed. Suddenly n a stifled voice. Indenting her lower Greeting Lydia serenely, this last he leaped into the air and pounced lip with a knuckle, she fastened an prior exploits in the gentlewomanly pen, and no one be the wiser.” resumed her conversation with her as onto the show. This operation was re- abstracted stare on the polished tips art of smuggling, and her laughing con fession that nothing but sheer fright signed inspector. “You'll find every peated several times, the fox jump- >f her shoes. CHAPTER IX. Lydia, at a loss, found nothing to would prevent her attempting again to thing dutiable In the hat trunk and Ing several feet Into the air each time. outwit the custom house. “Good old town !" said Peter Traft that big dresser trunk over there— He was doubtless trying to break say. She couldn’t decently express And even while this memory was :00 great concern over the disappear- through the crust and catch the mice Removing his hat. he saluted Town the two upper trays—the receipted with grave and affectionate respect. bills In the first tray—*11 except— which he heard burrowing under the ance of something that had been dedi troubling her the affair took a turn to “Graft and all, it’s one human young necklace. I have that here,” she In snow. The hard, deep snow makea It cated to her on her wedding day— fix doubt of Betty firmly in Lydia’s dicated the metal box in her hands, much harder for the foxes to catch the however remote that event. Yet she mind. zity !" It began with the return of the In little animals except when they are was gravely if unintelligibly dis- Intuition enabled Lydia to interpret “and the bill as well." •Thanks. Mrs. Merrilees." The In running for cover.—Hartford Courant tressed. Beneath her ready sympathy spector. accompanied by the custom this utterance as the Invocation to the stirred a qualm of peculiar uneasiness. bouse official in charge of the pier—a many of your tried but true Manhat- spector looked up from her declara Distracted by the rumble of men's middle-aged man. this one, with a Carrier Swift Flyer. tion in futile attempt to maintain his (TO be CONTINUED.) lenite. It is estimated that tn calm weather voices, she looked up. to find that rather consequential manner, gold- The Alsatia waa trudging sedately official imperturbability; then his eyes rimmed eyeglasses, and a not unkindly Quoin had added himself to the group up the bay from the Narrows, Quaran twinkled In a network of wrinkles. a carrier pigeon can fly at the rate at and was studiously attending to Pe- expression. “Some men treats deir country an' tine ten minutes astern. New York His Ups twitched, and he grinned out- 1,200 yarda a minute ; with the help of "Mrs. Merrilees, I beUever he asked deir families de same way," said Uncle a moderate wind It will attain a speed tec's account of the counterfeit collar. looming over the port bow through a right. Their eyes met presently, and Lydia with much urbanity. Eben. “Dey loves ’em. but dey doesn’ “That’s all very well.” said the lady of 1.540 yards, and before a strong tenderly irisated haze In whose illu- case much "bout workin’ for ’em.” was surprised by the look he bent upon Pea it became a city of mother-of- Impudently. “Laugh if you like I But wind 2,000 yards. CHAPTER VIII—Continued.
