The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-02

hat, and drew his hand across his
brow; It was wet with sweat.
For the gentleman was Dexter
Reece: and he knew more about the
notorious Count than Ronald did lie
knew that the man though much
changed, was lemucl Raven For
months Reecc had been Wandering
over Europe searching for the man
whom he suspected Of being the mur.
derer of Sir Mortimer and the thief
OF the giant ruby. He had often pie
tured the manner of the meeting;
he would probably come upon the
fugitive sbuIking in some foreign
slum; but here was the man passing
as a Count and apparently possessed
of vast wealth IIad-had he dis
posed of the great jewel? The sweat
broke out afresh on Dexter Reeces
face, and in his terror at the thought
produced an actual -auseI Was he,
Reece. too late? And here, At the
same place, was Ronald Desborough'
Could he also be on the scent?
Dexter Rcece started mp and
sought more secluded and shaded
spot, and, pacing up and down, for
he could no longer sit still, he tried
to formulate some plan. He knew in
stnctiyely that Raven must be ap
preached with caution, cunning.
that should oyermatcs his own. The
pallid, haggard face, the dark eyes,
revealed the desperate, unscrupulOus
nature Of the man he would not hes
itate TO commit a second murder
10 retain possession of the ruby 10
save himself from the gallows
Late as it was, Dexter Reece hire0
a carriage, dismissing it on the
outskirts OF San Reno and, follow
ing the coachmans directions, walk
ed to the Counts famous villa. But
a contemplation of the great iron
gates, which he guessed were closely
guarded, would not help him; and.
in a state of feyerish excitement, he
returned to the quiet hotel at Monte
Carlo at which ne had put up.
He was trembling with excite
ment and weariness. and with shak-
ing hands, he undressed and went to
bed. It was hours before he slept.
and, when he did, It was to dream
that Lemuel Raven was driving fu-
riously away through mountain
pass, and that he. Dexter Reece, was
/ IN pursuit, but hampered and fetter-
! ed by chains, which scarcely permit
/ ted him TO move He cursed himself
! for his needless fear. the man had
made his personality too conspicu-
GUS il would be easy enough to
track him. The Tuby-if it were still
in Ravens possession-was almost
within Dexter Reece's grasp.
/ Ronald slept as well as usual,
which Of lae was nothing to boast
of, and, as usual woke early The
morning in its first blush at Monte
CARO- is too good to be resisted
and Ronald had his bath while the
rest OF the hotel was wrapped in a
more or less sound repose. The place.
rs admirably kept and ''groomed" as
the grounds Of an English noble
man, looked innocent enough in the
pure sunlight; and, as he knew that
it would be some hours before Bran
don and Clemson would breakfast,
he took the tram to Monaco and
was pulled out to the yacht.
Smlthers was on the gangway to
receive him and greet him with his
habitual respect and agecton
We'll, Sinithers.C O. said Ronald.
did you have a good time last
night"
"Tolerble. sir" replied Smithers
crayely bu, with twinkle in his
blue eyes. Lively little place sir.
TenEnds me Of Barnet fair, only Il
Jit more classy. as you may say
though, .or my part, ] miss the
Aunt SaIlies and the shootin' CALLER
les. and, if you'll believe me, sir.
I'd the hardest job in the world
to get a glass of decent beer Cham
papne seems to be kept on draughJ
an TO be the reg'lar tipple O the
natives. Lot o money here. sir; to
see 1t lyn' on them green tables.
Just as If II was osrt-my' I'd a
bit Of an adventure last night, sir, -
ne added. as he hung about the sa-
loon i'm the hope of being able to do
something for his master
"You generally contrive to do that
wherever YOU are, Smi,hers' said
Ronald absen.ly.