The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-17

in many places. / planned the. vault
that all might be concentrated in one
place"WheFe we should find them
when we were ready to explode the
conspiracy. RecordsEplans-m
all are now at our hand"
But we have not the key. Why did
you plan so complicated LOCKE"
Nothing else would have satisfied
de Pintra AS for the lock, it is moth
ing. A drill through one of the steel
panels would have admitted US easily
But
aBut what sir? Why do we not
drill now, instead of seeking this
cursed ring2"
The minister smiled and again
tWirled his mOustaches.
Because Dom Miguel suddenly de-
veloped inventive genius on his own
part. I was absent when the work
was completed, and too late discov-
cred that de Pintra had made pockets
everywhere between the steel plates,
and filled every pocket with nitro-gly-
cerfne."
'Weu?"
"That is all. To drilI into the vault
IS to explode a pocket of nitro-gly-
cerine, which in turn will explode all
the other pockets through concus-
land then?'
"And then the contents of the vault
would be blown to atoms. Of the
main upon another. The records We
seek would be lost irrevocably-"
ValcOur, pale with fear, uttered a
cry and dashed through the door,
while the emperor rose to his feet with
a look of terror upon his face.
'NThey are drilling noWt" he gasped
Silently we stood, none daring to
move; and into our drawn faces Pick
OTTO gazed with a grim and derisive
smile.
Paola. more composed than any Of
/ the others, except Piexoto began roll
ing a cigarette, but remembering the
emperor's presence he ceased.
And so we stood, mOuOnleSS and 81
/ lent until footsteps were again heard
and Valcour re-entered wiping the per-
| spiratiOn from his forehead with an
embroidered handkerchief. His face
wore a look of relief, but there was
slight tremOr in his voice as he said:
''I have ordered the drilling stopped
your majesty"
Dom Pedro, thus treasured, strobe
back and forth in evident perplexity.
I'VE must have the key!' he said
angriIy. There is no other way. And
the key cannot be far off. Has your
prisoner, the Mexican, recovered 2''
Il will go and see," answered the
detective, and again left the room.
L caught q, look of surprise upon the
face of the minister of police. 1t was
there.
MAY L inquire VINO LnIS prisoner
is ?" he asked. One of the men, who
asked as secretary to the emperor, re-
ceiving a nod from Dom Pedro, in
formed Paola. of the finding of the dead
body in the shrubbery, and of the con-
sequent arrest of the Mexican.
And the key was not found in his
possession?" he inquired, eagerly.
No
''Then he secreted it,. fearing arrest
Have the out-buudings been search
/ ed %
mot yet
Let it be done at once"
Valcour, entering in time to hear
this, flushed angrily.
THAT is my business, Senior Paola.
I will brook no interference from the
police"
'Ahl had it not been for the police.
Senior Valcour would have blown his
emperor into eternity" returned
PaOla, smiling blandly into the spy's
/ disturbed countenance.
Enough of this!" cried the en-
| peror- Let the grounds and out
/ buildings be carefully searched. Is
your prisoner recovered, Valcour?''
He is raving mad returned the
/ detective, in Surly tone. ct requires
/ two soldiers to control him"
breathed a sigh of relief for I had
/ feared the Mexican, in his terror.
/ would betray the fact that he had
given me the ring.