Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-01

SOnlcLnlng emD1Oye5,
It would be better to allow her to leave her place
undetected she would suppose, and tracing her
movements by the threads ascertain how and why
she had entered the house was puckering my brows
severely, and was just about to rise when dirty,
greasy person in jumper, with wrench and pot OF
red lead in hand, appeared in the doorway.
Where is the bathroom on dis foor?" said he.
Only the duivering corners OF the mouth made me
certain 1t was Rand
emily.
Rand's eyes swept the place like lightning He fol-
lowed the thread trail to the couch instantly saw the
two little burned spots and the cigarette stubs oppo
site the knot hole 1t puzzled him not more than ten
seconds. / was helpless to convey any definite in
formation He thrust hand inside his jumpers
and held up something his eyebrows raised in nterro
cation. What he held up now recognized as the OBJ
ec he had picked up the stairs the previous night
Ia very small black hairpin ! nodded vigorously
and pointed underneath the couch, whereupon he
convulsed with silent laughter for SO long time that
threatened to throw book at him.
At last he signed to to lie quiet went into the
bathroom and tinkered about for little while, came
out and measured around the with pocket rule
knew he really was reading the signs of the
threads. Finally he went out in the hall and up
stairs, where could hear him for time, then all
sounds died away and for full half-hour lay there
hot and cold with suspense. growing violently hungry
once more and puzzng my poor head as to what this
situation could
At length heard him coming down. He did not
even look at he entered the room. but his eyes
we're shining with the light that knew signiied he
in the heat of the chase. He directly to
Of the imitation trees, slid back panel in lofty
branch and took out some small pieces of wellworn
with great care, Using his powerful lens for
final examination, then, turning about said with
great kindness and gentleness
sMr. Duncan, will you be so good as to rise from
that divan, lift the side and assist Mademoisele Me-
lemon from beneath it? My dear child please come
out. 1t is no further use to attempt to conceal
thing"
soft sobbing broke out under the couch. After
fumbng moment with what had supposed was the
solid tree side found it hinged at the top and
swung out easily. The instant | opened 1t there
rolled out and sprang to her feet very angry and
hporI ifII oil 1nfo l1or rEad Gronl tuna
no mistaking her nose and brow She would have
darted out the doorway but Rand with long spring.
intercepted her and gently forced her to seat Her
dried instantly and her eyes blazed defiance.
She began some hot speech in broken English but he
interrupted her:
Wait wait, Just moment, mademoisee. you are
not to talk will tell you the story of this matterso
With tightened lips clenched hands, and her
splendid eyes changing in expression from fear to
entreaty and then to proud anger the girl sat silent
and waiting while Rand turned the papers the
desk A step sounded on the stair. He covered the
with folded newspaper just Khan Nadjian,
wonder written on his face, stepped into the room.
You sent for me?" he asked of me, not recognizing
Rand in the plumber at his desk.
81 telephoned half hour ago for you to come at
l talking from this young ladys apart
ments," said Rand.
From her apartment half an hour ago! How was
that possible, when he had been in the house. as j
knew positively ever since he came in when lay
on the couch?
"Who is this young lady?" asked the Khan eyeing
her with very evident admiration.
"Sit down and will tell you. You supply the
final explanation Her name is lone Melenon. She is
twenty years Of age was born Beirut the daughter
of P. Melenon.'
"Peresene Melenon's child!"
Rand disregaFded Khan Nadjan's breathless ex-
clamaton.
jan leave his house and have then entered his
rooms always remaining long as you wished or
dared searching nis hooks and papers Tor the few
old scraps of rough notes and maps which you knew
he possessed and which contain the secret of wealthy
turquoise mines near Nishapur, Persia"
The Khan leaned forward In his chair as If about
to leap on Rand.
I'VE would have worked more easily if he had con-
fded these facts to us | suspected he was holding
something back and last night allowed him to point
out the way to his secret by tracking his steps
on the floor Then found the papers, and here they
are"
AS Rand lifted the newspaper from over them the
girl moved as if to seize them but with quiet smile
he dropped the paper back and put his elbow 1t.
"You hoping, Miss Melenon that some day he
would leave them out but you not careful about
putting everything you disturbed back In its exact
place. When you were trapped you hid until you
could make your escape under that couch where Mr..
Duncan caught you. You were also very careless
about cigarettes and ashes for when the floor
listening, you dropped many ashes in spot, and
you left cigarette stubs at least twice too often I
quite understand why you smoked SO steadily
in these rooms. You smoked very little in your own"
"Baycause when smooke is in they room and frawn
door opan, smooke blows queeck.''
"Ah, very clever. The upward draught well
your ears, warned you. That is good isn't 1t, Dun
can? 1t was the movement of the smoke that at
see, Khan Nadjian she has been on your track, has
taken apartments a level with your roof in the
hathouse peighboring you has light steel extension
crane which she thrusts out from the top OF her
window after she has your departure from the
house and then she daringy swings to your roof
short rope. How did you get this key which you
left in the skylight lock?'
II find out they locksmeeth of they houz and pay
heem."
'You are a clever woman Miss Melenon and a
brave to cross that gap between this house and
the next have just used your method twice in the
last hour. Please forgive my disturbing your little
things in your room to get the information needed
Now, Khan Nadjian, the case is ended so far as Mr.
Duncan and l concerned. You may call in the
police if you wish and will give the needed test
mony would like to hear, however, since you seem
to know, who Peresene Melenon is, was, for by
the mourning frame on his picture in mademoiselleg
rooms take it he is dead
Eyes, he is dead. almost many years as this poor
qirl la aliYa She ma hean hnrn he