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From the very beginning Mary Dana had made wonderful improvement in her detective work, and the results of her last case, on which she had been kept in the West for several months, were so satisfactory that she was given practically the entire management of the Bureau. One day, shortly after her return from the West, Mr. Isburn called her into his private office.
Stepping upon it, which enabled her to reach the apple, she removed the cover, and dropped the ring into its receptacle, replaced the cover, stepped down and took up her basket, then closed the bookcase doors. "And that's how you did it," ejaculated Isburn, greatly astonished at her coolness and audacity. "But how did you find out how to open the bookcase doors?"
This is what I wore when I discovered the clue that led to the arrest of Corona in that Italian murder case." "But I don't understand yet," cried Isburn. "How could you be here as an Italian flower girl when you telephoned me from a place more than fifty miles away?" "Money will do a great deal," replied Miss Dana, "but you must tell your subordinates what to do for the money.
The door will be unlocked if she is ready. I shall be with her to witness the restitution of your property." Never did ten minutes pass so slowly as did those to Mr. Isburn. He placed his watch upon his desk and watched each minute as it slowly ticked away. When the time was up, he went to the door of Miss Dana's office. He turned the knob the door opened at a slight pressure, and he entered.
It was from Miss Mary Dana and informed him that she had returned to Boston and would be pleased to see him, the next day, at her office with the Isburn Detective Bureau. It was a cold, raw day in the early part of April and when they reached the city Quincy was taken with a chill. When they reached Norumbega Chambers the chill had turned to a fever, and Tom suggested sending for a doctor.
Isburn considered he had good reasons for complimenting you. Will you tell me what they were?" "It is a long story." "I'm all attention." "Then I'll begin at once. If you need a stimulant at any stage of the narrative, just signify your want and I'll ring for it." "Is there a bar?" "No, but there's a cellar."
Isburn was a frequenter of clubs and social functions, partly because he enjoyed them, but, principally, because many valuable clues had been run across while attending them. He had been invited to be a guest at a reception tendered to an Indian Maharajah.
Then he removed something from the apple and placed it in Miss Dana's hand. "Oh, how lovely!" she exclaimed. It was a ring made of the finest gold and containing an immense ruby. "That," said her employer, "I call the Isburn Ruby. It belonged to my mother, and it is precious to me, both on account of its great intrinsic value, and as an heirloom."
"You told me," said the girl in good English, the first words she had spoken. "I told you?" he cried. The Italian girl had a fit of uncontrollable laughter. "Have you forgotten the old adage, Mr. Isburn, that it is a good plan to set a thief to catch a thief?" Isburn sank into a chair. "Can I believe my ears? Miss Dana?" "Exactly," said the young woman. "This is one of my make-ups.
"If dad don't mind, I'll go." "We'll run down to Fernborough for a day or two to say good-bye, if there is time, and you can see your father about it." At ten o'clock the next morning, Quincy entered the office of the Isburn Detective Bureau. "I have good news for you, Quincy," said Mary.
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