Rushing to Paul La Croix’s room, he pounded on the door, entered and found the smuggler shaving himself.

“There’s two detectives in your daughter’s room!” he gasped.

“Sacre!” roared La Croix in startled tones.

“They’ve got a warrant for your daughter’s arrest.”

“Who zey are?” groaned La Croix.

“The Bradys.”

“We are lost!”

“Your daughter slipped me this package and told me to give it to you.”

He handed over the parcel of diamonds, and with a glad cry, La Croix eagerly seized it and thrust it in the bosom of his shirt.

“Here—­five dollaire for you!” he panted, giving the boy a bill.  “Keep ze still tongue about our affairs.  Now go!”

The boy shot out of the room and the man wrote a note and left it on the bureau.

La Croix hastily dressed and rushed out of the hotel.

He was fearfully excited.

Reaching the street, he called a cab, doubled the driver’s fare and was driven furiously to the railroad depot.

Here he caught a departing train.

Meantime, the Bradys imagined they had Clara La Croix with the package of diamonds in her possession.

Harry placed his hand on the girl smuggler’s arm.

“I hate to do it, Miss,” said he, half apologetically, “but you are my prisoner.”

She took her arrest with exasperating coolness.

Smiling up at him, she said in low, sweet tones: 

“I’m charged with smuggling, ain’t I?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“About $250,000 worth of diamonds.”

“How ridiculous!”

“No, it isn’t.  We’ve got all the facts.”

“Please name them.”

“You went to Amsterdam and came back on the Dominion with the jewels I mentioned.  In Toronto you gave them to one of your father’s spies who got married.  Your party crossed the border and were searched.  Of course, no jewels were found on you.  A short time ago the spy and his bride followed you; they smuggled the diamonds over the Suspension Bridge for you.  A few minutes ago they were here and delivered the package to you.  You’ve got it now, so hand it over.”

“I haven’t got any package of diamonds,” protested the girl.

“Now, don’t try to lie out of it.  We’ve got the evidence against you which you can’t deny.  Be sensible and save yourself further trouble by handing over the gems.  If you don’t we’ll take them by force.”

“I am telling you the truth.”

“Further concealment is useless.”

“Then search us and convince yourself.”

Harry accepted her offer and failed to find the stones.

While he was so employed, Old King Brady searched her mother with equal non-success, and a surprised look spread over their faces.

“The girl hasn’t got them!” exclaimed Harry, in disgust.

“Nor has her mother,” added Old King Brady.