returns to Canada--"

The letter ended abruptly here, for the rest was missing.

But there was enough to expose the whole plan of smuggling a huge amount of
diamonds into the United States.

The Bradys were astonished and Harry said at once:

"This letter proves that La Croix must be the gigantic smuggler whom the
Customs department want run down."

"No question about it," replied Old King Brady. "And as we have the details
of a scheme he intends to operate, we had better make preparations to nip
the plan in the bud, or else to capture the girl smuggler when she makes
her attempt to beat the Custom House."

"Are you aware that the steamer Champagne sails for Havre to-day?"

"Does she?" muttered Old King Brady, glancing at his watch. "Well, we'll
barely have time to reach her if we go at once. Get a cab and we'll see if
we can catch her before she departs."

"Even if we miss her," said Harry, consolingly, "we will be pretty sure to
see La Croix on the pier, seeing his daughter off."

"I don't want to arrest him in that case," said Old King Brady, "for if the
girl gets away, we'll have to keep the man watched in order to let him lead
us to his daughter when she returns. As she's pretty sure to have all those
diamonds with her, we can nab them with evidence on their persons, of their