The Portland daily press., 1898-04-12
PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
BY WILLIAM LIE QUEUx,


to associate yourself with Anton Koro-
lenko's daughter? She's a criminal.
II have an object 1 said briefly.
Every man says that when a girl has
taken his fancy. 1 know the world, old
fellow
''But it so happens that I've not been
captivated by her charms | retorted.
''Well. my dear Godfrey" he said in a
tone of unusual gravity. "Take my adj
vice and keep away from her. Ever since
you induced me to secure her her liberty
have honestly regretted it, knowing as
do the terrible crimes alleged against
the gang of which she and her villainous
old father were prominent members.
"What kind of crimes were they?" .
Everything from picking pockets to
murder he answered. "They stuck at
nothing SO long as they secured the huge
stakes for which they played. Has she
been again weaving for your benefit any
more of her tragic romances? She'd make
fortune as II novelist.
J. paused in deep thought.
"Truah to tell,'' 1 said at last, "she has
made an allegation against the woman l
love-
against Ella Laing?' he exclaimed, a
faint shadow of anger crossing his brow.
"What has she said? Tell mes perhaps |
can suggest way of dealing with her, -
he added quickly "She's most un
scrupulous; her tongue is tipped with
venom.
"She has given mo to understand that
Ella is an adventures, and my most
bitter enemy blurted out suddenly.
He flung down his pen in anger, fierce
i1nprecation in Russian upon his lips
the reason of his sudden annoyance was
a mystery, but his quick eyes noticed my
amazement, and in an instant he assumed
a calm demeanor, saying in a voice OF re-
preach:
$50 this woman, who has libelled Ella,
you are striving to assist, ehY VOL u, What
ground has she for her allega tion?"
"She will tell me only on one condi-
tion.'
"And what is thatS' Az
ssIf induce you to give her false pass
port and promise not to inform the iron
tier police of her intended departure, she
will relate to me the truth, / said.
"And are you actually prepared to ac-
cept as truth the allegations which this
woman uses as lever to compel you to
exercise your good offices on her behalf?''
he observed in a tone of reproach.
I was silent, for l now recognized for
the first time the strength of his argu-
ment.
"You see her position is this he con-
tinued. "She has nothing to lose and
everything to gain. You get her the per-
tell you some absurd romance or other.
ooncocted perhaps because she has taken
q fancy to you and is jealous of Ella. We
are friends Decides, or I should not SPEAK
so plainly. But l tell you that If l We're
in your place l would refuse to hear any
lies from this pretty, soft-spoken crlml-
NAL
''I quite appreciate your argument"
answered refectively, land / thank you
for your good ADVICE We're the words
she had uttered lies, l wondered. As
srlredly her allegation shat Ella was my
enemy was a foul falsehood. nevertheless
that she was we'll aware of the tragic end
of Dudley OgIe I could not doubt, and
her assertion that it had been intended
that should be the victim had startled
me and aroused my curiosity. was de-
termined, at all hazards, to ascertain the
truth.
s'Do not be entrapped by pretty face
or a fine pair of eyes. that's my advice"
my companion said, slowly striking
match.
81 can assure you, old fellow, / shall
not be misled by any pretty face. even If
it has diamond eyes, said quite I'M
Sonia's strange words recurr-
ing to me ut that moment.
HDiamond cyes!'' gasped Paul Yer
starting visibly and holding
the burning match still between his fin
gers without lighting his cigarette. He
had in that instant grown paler, and L
thought I detected that his hand trembled,
almost imperceptibly be it said. What
do you meanf" he demanded with a
strange fiercenees in his gaze. What do
you know of Diamond Eyes?'
ITO b Continued