The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-11-14

on commission to Featherf ngers and
SDangler. Spangler's part was to
raise the ten thousand. He was
working in the west when Fea her
fingers communicated wi h him and
sent him four-eleyeu call When
spangler and his wife came from
the west they had the money so
they proceeded to pm. through ,h.ir
little dea. vi d the aid Of Rufus
Here was news, Now Rufus and
George Augustus understood exactly
why Spangler wanted the Pcaahblow
Va It wasn't the value &C the
vase, but the so'en jewels inside
the vase that made HIM SO keen al
ter ;hc piece Of red pottery.
"Wouldn't that rattle your spurs?'
cried Rufus.
"Strangost thing ever heard, ~
seconded George Augustus.
That chain of pearls pursued
Jennings, never could have got
past the customs house officials,
even if ,he du,y had been for.heom-
ing. In all parts of the word Gus
toms officers had been put " Sc
and told to look out for the sau-
toir. So it was crammed into the
vase, and the vase came over "a
common po terry. Yes, it was neat.
II might have won Out, too, II the
Paris police hadn't got onto the
racket and wired our government.
The cablegram gave pretty full in
formation, not only as to the con
signee of the crate OF crOckery, but
also as to the purchaser of the vase.
The only trouble with the cablegram
was that it arrivei little late.
While / was barking up several
wrong trees, Slim McAfee, another
pal of Spanglers, was pinched for
persona ing an officer and taken to
the Thirty-siXth street station. He
said his name was Rufus Peck, Of
Ouray, Colo, and that he WAS going
to a masquerade bal. | knew him
at once for McAfee, but didn't let
on. At my suggestion the officers
released him and | followed his
trail to the rendezvous OF the gang.
That's where | found out about the
Fortunatus and her projected trip up
the river, Peck" and jennings turn
ed to the cattleman, 'and laid my
plans for making one of the crew.
An that remains Is for your friend
to get that vase out of the deposit
vault and hand it over to me"
George Augustus looked at Rufus
with sinking heart Rufus was
somewhat Gejected himself, but he
plunged straight at the difficulty.
NO vase, Jennings" said Rufus.
The Secret Service man threw up
his hands.
NO vase he echoed blankly.
where's Slim McAFee?"
Hang Slim McAfee! How do !
know?"
The chances are that if he and
Mrs. Spangler are the only mem
bers of the gang still at large they
have the vase"
81 want to know about this" sad
Jennings tartly, and right off, at
that"
Show him the letter from Spang-
er, Gus" suggested Rufus. That
ought to explain where we went
lame"
where ! went lame" declared
George Augustus, Offering the letter.
You hadn't anything to do with
it,"
Jennings read the letter with low
ering brow.
And you bit at that" he inquired,
giving George Augustus a look no
coulsl never forget.
81 was in such a state of mind,
fatered George Augustus, that"
Your state OF mind must have
been something awful" said the de
tective, with bitter emphasis. Here
am. at the end Of the trail. and nc
black pearls"
Bangham, otherwise Featherfin
gers. laughed joyously.
It's a pleasure to know" he re
markell that l haven't sacrificed
my liberty without making good with
. the pearls"
He ought TO be killed" said Ru
fus petulantly. He's been talking
like that all along"
Hes not the only one who ought
TO be killed, returned Jennings
! with a gloomy look at George Au
gustus.
Another rap on the door George
/ Augustus g'ad OF an excuse 10 b1