THE BRASS BOWL
But not beaten. When Maitland ceased speaking the detective smiled superiority to such invention. "Very pretty," he conceded. "Yeh c'n tell it all to the magistrate to-morrow morning. Meantime yeh'll have time to think up a yarn explainin' how it come that a crook like Anisty made three attempts in one day to steal some jewels, 'nd didn't get 'em. Where were they all this time?"
"In safe-keeping," Maitland lied manfully, with a furtive glance toward the alcove.
"Whose?" pursued Mr. Hickey truculently.
"Mine," with equanimity. "Seriously—sleuth!—are you trying to make a charge against me of stealing my own property?"
"Yeh done it for a blind. 'Nd that's enough. Officer, take this man to the station; I'll make the complaint."
The policeman hesitated, and at this juncture O'Hagan put in an appearance, lugging a heavy brown-paper bundle.
"Beg pardon, Misther Maitland, sor?"
"Well, O'Hagan?"
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