Argosy All-Story Weekly, January 13, 1923 — page 142: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

hair, her clear complexion, and the winsome, wistful eyes of gray attracted the detective powerfully. She described the gems in detail. One was a cornflower blue tint. The depth of the color was remarkable. Cut in the form of a dome it showed six starlike rays. The play of colors varied according to the direc- tion in which it was viewed. It came from Burma.and had been acquired by the uncle of Sarah Sanderson, who was preparing to send it to her when it suddenly disappeared. The mate of this stone was said to be in the possession of the King of Ava. The other sapphire resembled the first one ex- cept that it'was slightly smaller. This sec- ond gem had its counterpart in the museum of the Jardin des Plantes, in Paris. “Miss Craig,” said Peabody with his melancholy smile, ‘‘ I’ll undertake the case and do the best I can.” It was Monday and the Albatross was ex- pected to arrive in New York on Wednes- day afternoon. This gave the detective an opportunity of gathering up the odds and ends of the mystery, a task in which he was materially assisted by the Collector of Cus- toms. His information was to the effect that the sapphires were then in the posses- sion of Jimmie Tucker. The government | = a said that the boarding officer and = al 1 the inspectors had been given strict orders to look out for the sapphires, and he was sure they could not slip through such a perfect net. He used the plural’ because he was con- fident that Jimmie Tucker, with all of his cleverness, would not attempt the trick sin- gle-handed. Indeed, he had been told that Tucker was on very friendly terms with a highly attractive Englishwoman named Olga Brayton. No, he knew nothing to the discredit of Miss Brayton, but she might be the inevitable ‘‘ woman in the case,” and for that reason was to be watched. When Wednesday came Peabody Smith was all ready for action. The customs tug went down the river to meet incoming ves- sels as usual, and the boarding officer who was assigned to the Albatross was warned not to permit any one to leave the ship until it docked. The detective, unusually confi- dent, elected to meet the boat at the pier. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. He smiled broadly when he noted that Captain Hanson was on the bridge of the Albatross with the pilot. Peabody knew Hanson and had a high opinion of the broad-chested, long-whiskered seaman. A man to be trusted in any emergency, and one who could always be counted upon to cooperate with the constituted authorities. There was the usual delay in docking, but finally the gangway. was put in place and the detective was the first one to set feet on the solid deck of the great liner. Captain Hanson met him with outstretched hand. “You know my mission, captain,” ex- claimed Peabody with the exchange of greet- ings. “ Aye, lad,’ was the hearty rejoinder, ‘“‘and I suppose your first move will be to interview the lassie in the case.” The detective assented, and was escorted to a first-class cabin on the second deck. Olga Brayton was there, seated in a comfor- table chair, and looking the picture of lux- ury and discontent. She had coal-black hair, regular features and dark brown eyes that seemed to look out on the world with distrust. She was fashionably dressed and carried herself with an air of authority. A beautiful woman, undeniably, and one fully competent to take care of herself. The detective was presented, and she greeted him in a manner that was very in- gratiating. But Peabody Smith was not in the mood to be dazzled by beauty, and he came to the point abruptly. “You know why I am here, Miss Bray- ton—I want the Sanderson sapphires.”’ She laughed—a rippling laugh that sounded like running waters on the moun- tainside. “T’m very sorry to have to disappoint you, but you are too late.” “Too late!’ ejaculated the detective. “ What do you mean by that?” “ What I say—the inspector of customs has been here and taken the sapphires.” Peabody turned to Captain Hanson, with surprise and incredulity in his gray eyes. The seaman heaved his broad shoulders in assent. “What Miss Brayton tells you is correct. You know the customs people boarded us ‘just after we passed quarantine. The board- COMIC OOO KS