they came down the path. He was somewhat startled by their ap- pearance. He had expected to find them attractive. Society crooks usually were. But these two seemed like a god and goddess who had come for an hour or so to wander through the beautiful garden. The man was very large and exceedingly handsome. It was not a surprise to Hadley that women forgot to guard their jewelry when that man was making love to them. And the woman-for the first time in Hadley's life a woman caused his heart to miss a beat. What a dear little thing she was-that mass of dark hair, those large bright eyes, the sweet little mouth. It hurt him to think of her snuggling in some man's arms and cleverly slipping his watch from his pocket, as he showered kisses upon that wonderful hair. It pained him to hear her pleading with her accomplice to hurry while there was a chance. "George, Mrs. Smith is not going to miss us and besides, we haven't time to look for her. Come, dear, let's go or we might be too late." They quickened their steps, but Hadley also made a quick move and stood in their path, his pistol pointed at them. "Hold on there! I've been looking for you two. You had better come quietly along with me," he said. "What do you mean? Where do you intend taking us?" the man asked, greatly annoyed. "Just to the police court. A pretty good pair of crooks you are, but you can't put anything over on William Brown Hadley." The woman was terrified. She grasped Hadley's arm and looked up at him with those lovely eyes. "We aren't crooks," she sobbed. "Please, please let us go home before it is too late. We must go while there is a chance to--" Hadley interrupted her with: "What do you mean by this talk about going home before it is too late? If you think you can fool Bill Hadley you're mistaken." "It's the baby. Can't you understand-our first baby, the only one we have!" Hadley looked at her in amazement as she continued in a frantic way: "It's the first time I've left him and oh, Mr. Hadley, when I phoned to ask how he was, I found that he has the croup! Please, please let us go!" Hadley let them go, but his wounded pride was beyond healing. PHYILLIS GREENE.