The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-27
CHAPTER VII.

In the meantime Blackford had not
been idle. After his unsuccessful at
tempt TO rob his cousin of the IOcket
that held the precious secret he felt
obliged 10 surrender. for a time at
least all thought Of securing the COW
eted object by force. Once fortune
seemed about TO smile upon him. By
what be considered a lucky chance the
slender gold chain that supported the
iocket became broken. His cousin hap-
pened 10 mention IL. and he immediately
offered 70 take il to a JeWeler and have
1t repaired.
The girl handed the jewel to him and
MS entire body tingled with the delir-
ious JOY that he felt from the thought
that at last the secret was in his power
lie carefully controlled his emotions
Out was In a fever OF impatience to re-
IRE and solve the mystery of the secret
spring And then came a blow as
stunning as IL was unexpected. As be
was leaving the room the girl changed
her mind She recalled the words of
her grandfather when he presented the
birthday remembrance 90 her. and de-
eided that she would have the repairine
done herself. and wait in the shop while
the Jeweler was at work In asking Tor
The return OF the locket she said she
would insist upon having the chain
mended while she held the ornament. so
that she would be carrying out her
srandtather's wish to the letter.
IL was In vain that Blackford tried
10 uissuade her from such a determina-
ton. He argued with some heat that
MS uncle had not meant his words 10
De interpreted so literally. IL would
90 matter or only a few hours 10
nave the repairs made and he offered
somewhat eagerly 70 return the loczet
as soon as the chain was mended. even
thoush ne was Obliged 10 make a spe-
cial trip OF IT, His aunt agreed with
him. and declared that her daughters
determination was mere folly. but she
would not be convinced. and chung 10
her point, saying that she was Obliged
70 make trip down in the morning
aside from the visit 10 the jeweler ana
that she might as well attend 10 the
matter herself and feel better satisfied
than il she allowed the locket 10 20
even temporarily. out OF her possession.
BlaclIford was afraid 10 press the mat
ter too closely. fearing that his unwar-
tainted eagerness might arouse sus-
pieiOn.
Possibly IL was the disappointment he
experienced from his defeat an a time
when he had come 50 near TO success
that decided him 10 the scheme he had
unused over In his secret thoughts
There was a man OF his acquaintance
whose character. naturally vicious. was
rendered worse by his inOrdinate pas
sion FOR gambling. which had more than
once driven him TO crime. As 1t CHANGED
this man was one Of the few FROM whom
HlackfOrd had won at cards. and the sum
had been very much increased by his VIC
TINS desperate attempts 10 win back
his losses By doubling the stakes II
there was one person upon whom he
could rely 10 assist him IN dishonor-
able or criminal act this disreputable
friend was the one.
Instead OF retiring as he had an
nsunced his intention OF doing. Black
ford went 10 the telephone. and. having
located the man at a downtown resort,
made an appointment with him for mid
night in a hotel OF the fourth or NTH
class. where private dining rooms could
be secured for a consideration. and
which were possessed OF arrangements
that would enectually shut on either
observation or eaVesdropping Ia ar
ranging the appointment he impressed
upon the man az the other end OF the
line that the business in hand was OF
vital importance. and would mean
considerable sum OF money 10 both OF
chen,
Before leaving The house he retired 10
Eis private study ana completed an ar
rangement or precautiOn that had be-
come a Wearisone and sickening duty.
There was a typewriter On "A table in a
=
ne wrote a very few lines. over which
he spent some minutes Of reflection and
consultation with "a map of the city.
Addressing an envelope and putting "a
stamp on il. ne read the communication
over carefully and folded il 10 nj the
envelope The letter was not addressed.
but read as follows.
at the same hour GA next Monday
morning. The locality Is a part or
washington older than the remainder OF
en- city. and Is called by It's original
narne which was given ia Ecnor or an
TsngIish king. II viii De placed on "a
street whose former name was a WJrd
80 fo15r letters. which is tae definition
- a degree or elevation. The pOinJ Sc
Iecre6 viii be somewhere on this street
between the crossing OF a street. the
name OF which IS a printers measure
rent and a second street that bears q q
name OF a part OF the outfit OF a pool
room"
a. he concluded his task the half hour
s,r,Ick. and, catching up his gloves and
hat he hurriedly left the house. Al
trough he was at the meeting point "a
-. minutes ahead OF time. he found his
friend waiting for him. Their salutatiOn
Vas brief and somewhat strained. and
While they waited for the man 10 return
WITH the drinks they had ordered each
watched the other coveFtly. bat endeav-
orsd 10 carry On desuitOry CONVERSE
tion A. soon as tFeS were alone and
sac from interruption Blackford OPEN
- the talk