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 keenest-witted thief I ever heard of," he muttered, moodily,
when the case was dismissed, "but if I could only get track of some of
the Palmer diamonds there might be some hope for me even now, for I