“So in view of this, Mr. Klein,” the detective spoke up after an interval of silence, apparently satisfied that his case had been won, “I presume you have no objections to returning the necklace. Also, that you are not as anxious to report what has taken place within the past fifteen minutes.” “On the contrary,” Klein broke in sharply, “I have no intention of returning the necklace, other than to its owner. And as for repeating what I have just witnessed, I think such a statement would sound better from your own lips. Come along, Mr. Jarge!” The detective objected strenuously to such an arrangement, until Klein produced a revolver. The polished barrel was sufficient inducement, and he walked meekly ahead of Klein. CHAPTER XXXIII. THE CLIMAX. Klein and his unwilling prisoner entered the large room, to find it cleared of all women. The men were grouped at one end of the room, and were talking in whispers. In a chair sat Tanner, his face colorless, his collar torn, his shirt rumpled. At his side stood Tod, flushed and triumphant. In front of both was Mr. Lydecker. The moment Klein entered upon this scene, preceded by Jarge, an exclamation fell from Mr. Lydecker’s lips. Tanner, looking up, started visibly, and a silent signal seemed to flash between him and Jarge. Klein alone noticed it, but said nothing. “Bless my soul!” exclaimed Mr. Lydecker, unaware for the second that Jarge was a prisoner. “I’m glad you’re here, Mr. Jarge. We have discovered a painful----” “Mr. Jarge is not talking at present,” Klein interrupted. “At my request he is here to return the necklace which his confederate, Tanner, dropped to him from the window.” “D-dropped to him?” stammered Mr. Lydecker. “Exactly. I am glad that we managed to catch both men at the same time.” He beamed upon the excited reporter. “I nabbed my man just as he opened the window,” Tod said. “I guess he dropped the necklace at the same time.” Klein motioned Jarge to be seated. The detective obeyed sullenly. Then Klein brought the necklace from his pocket and handed it to Mr. Lydecker. “Will you kindly return this to its rightful owner?” he said. Mr. Lydecker accepted the necklace with trembling fingers. “This--this is all a mystery to me,” he gulped. “I cannot understand. I--I----” He stopped, and looked helplessly at Klein. “Perhaps Mr. Jarge, with the proper persuasion, will return your daughter’s brooch, which he took last Saturday night,” Klein said. “You’ll have to prove that,” snarled Jarge, his black eyes blazing. “This whole affair is--is a mistake.” “A very serious mistake on your part,” Klein answered. Then, facing Tanner squarely, he said: “What have you to say?” “Nothing,” replied Tanner. “Following your instructions, Klein,” broke in Tod, “I had the police called here.” Hardly had the words left the reporter’s lips when the chief of police himself, accompanied by two detectives, entered the room.