The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-28
TheOpal
Serpent
By FERGUS HUME,
Author q "66s Mystery q Hanson Cab
DE hsndarin's Fam" Etc.
Copyright. 1905. by G. w. Diuing-
ham Company.

IS impossible to say, but while Bart
strove to rise and overturn Tray,
Aaron walked in past the Indian.
whats thisl ?" he asked sharply. Tray
stopped his dancing on Bart's PROSTATE
body and gave shrill whistle by plac-
ing two dirty fingers In his mouth.
Then he darted between Norman's legs
and made Off Hokar stood staring at
the bookseller and after pause point
ed with his finger. "One-eye,' he said
calmly, mo goodp'
Aaron was about to inquire what he
meant by this insult when the Indian
walked to the counter and placed some
thing thereon, after which he moved
away, and his voice was heard dying
away down the street: "Hokar is poor.
Hokar need money. Hokar Christian"
whats this?" demanded Norman,
again assisting Bart roughly to his
feet
"Blest If know" replied Tawsey,
staring They're mad, / think" and
he related the incoming of the Indian
and the street arab LAS for that
Tray" said he, growing "I'll punch
his blooming cad when 1 meets him
agin, dancing on me-yah. Allays med
dim, that brat, jus as he wos when
Mr.. Beecot was smashed"
you saw that accdentY' asked his
master. fixing his one eye on him.
"Yuss," said Bart slowly, Il did, but
Deborah she told me to say nothink
Mr.. Beecot was smashed, and his friend,
the cold eyeglarsed gent, pulled him
from under the wheels of that there
machine with Tray to help him, and
between 'em they carried him to the
pavement"
"Humph" said Aaron, resting his
chin on his hand and speaking more to
himself that to his assistant. $50 Tray
was on the spot. Humph" Bart, hav-
ing brushed himself, moved behind the
counter and took up what Hokar had
left. why. it's brown sugarw he ex-
claimed, touching it with his tongue
coarse brown sugar-a handful" He
stretched out his palm heaped with the
sugar to his master. What do that
furrein pusson mean by leaving dirt
about?"
Il don't know, nor do I care" snap
ped Aaron. who appeared to be out Of
temper. Throw 1t awayp' which Bart
did, after grumbllng again at the i'm
pudence Of the street hawker
Norman did not go upstairs, but de-
scended to the cellar. where he busted
himself in looking over the contents Of
the three safes. In these were many
small boxes filed with gems OF all
kinds, cut and uncut; also articles Of
jewelry. consisting of necklaces. brace
let's, stars for the hair, brooches and
tiaras. The jewels glittered in the far
ing gaslight, and Aaron fondled them
as though they were living things
you beauties he whispered to him
self, with his one eye gloatlng over his
hoard. "T'll sell you. though it goes
TO my heart to part with lovely things.
But | must-I husband then I'll go
not to America-oh. dear, no-but to
the south seas. They won't find me
there-no-no! I'll be rich and happy
and free. Sylvia can marry and live
happy But the serpent" he said in q
harsh tone "oh, the opal serpent! The
pawnbroker's shop. Stowley-yes-l
know It, know it. Stowley They
want it back but they sha'n't I'll
Oug IL lAOAiI DCCNOl ny SlNIlS nm ~ L
via It's lOSt-lost" He looked over
his shoulder as he spoke in terrified
whisper Perhaps they have It, and
then-then." he leaped up and flung
the armful of baubles he held on to
the deal table, land then-I must get
away-away."
He pulled out three or four coarse
sacks of n small size and filed these
with the jewelry. Then he tied q
cord round the neck OF each sack and
sealed It, Afterward, with a sigh. he
closed the safe and turned down the
gas. He did not leave by the trap
which led through the shop, but OPP
ened and locked the back door of the
cellar. assembled the steps and went
out into the street through the side
passage. If they come" he thought
as he walked into the gathering night
they won't find these. No! nor and
he Rugged the bags closely.
Sylvia upstairs waited anxiously FOL
the return OF her father from the hos
pital. as she both wanted to hear how
her lover was progressing and wha
he said about the permission to marry
being given. But Aaron did not com,
to supper. as was his usual custom
Bart said. when inquiries were made
that the master had gone down into
the cellar and was probably there
Meanwhile. according TO his usual hab
It, be put up the shutters and departed
Sylvia and Deborah ate their fruga
meal and retired TO bed. the girl mucl
disturbed at the absence of her father
Outside, in the street. the passersb!
diminished in number. and as the nigh
grew darker and the lamps were
lighted hardly a person remained II
Gwynne street. 1t was not fashion
able thoroughfare. and after nightfal
few people came that way. By
O'Clock there was not soul about