Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-07-26
sides of the affair! It's the Rubicon


petty things. I repeat, failure is not
possible. Have I not thought it out,
detail by detail, mapped out each line,
anticipated dangers by eliminating
them?"
GAIL but that one danger Of which
We know nothing. You're a great
woman, Kate You have, as You say,
made ninety-nine dangers out Of a
hundred impossible. Let us keep an
eye out for that hundrcdth. Our pho
tographs have yet to grace the rogues'
gallery"
with one exception" Ryanne's
laughter was sardonic.
"Whose?" shot the major.
Mine. A round and youthful phiz,
silky young nlustache. But rest
easy; there's no likeness between that
and the original one wear now"
you never told me be-
gan Mrs. Chedsoye.
There was never any need TIL now.
Eight years ago. Certain powers that
be worked toward my escape. But 1
was never to return. You will recol-
lect that I have always remained this
side. Enough. What l did does not
matter. I will say this much: my
crime was in being found out. One
venture into New York and out to sea
again; they will not have chance. L
doubt If any could recall the circum-
stances OF my meteoric career. You
will observe that am keyed for any
thing. Let US get to work. It doesn't
matter, anyhow"
You did not :" Mrs. Chez
soye hesitated.
"Blood?" reading her thought. mo,
Gloconda; my hands are guiltless. at
least they were till his Bagdad affair;
and am not sure there. was
trusted clerk; ] gambled; I took
money that did not belong to me. And
here l am, room number 20S."
1T doesn't matter. Come, Kate;
don't stare at Hoddy as ii he were a
new species" The major smoothed
the ends of his moustache. This coll
fession will be- good for his SOUL"
Yes, Gioconda; feel easier now.
I am heart and soul In this affair. l
need excitement, too. Lord, yes.
When / went to Bagdad, had no idea
that I should ever lay eyes upon that
rug. But l did. And there's the
emeralds. too. major"
The major rubbed his hands pleas
urably. Yes, yes; the emeralds; l
had not forgotten them. One hundred
lovely green stones, worth not penny
under thirty thousand. A fine collec-
ton. But another idea has taken pos
session OF this teeming brain of mine.
Have you noticed how this fellow
Jones hovers about Fortune? He's
worth million, If he's worth q cent.
I am sure, in pure gratitude, she
would see to 1t that her loved ones
were we'll taken care of in their old
age"
~ am going to marry Fortune my.
SELF" said Ryanns blandly.
"You?" The major was nonplussed.
WGflace shulfled his feet uneasily.
This blond companion Of his was nl.
ways showing kinks in his nature,
kinks that rarely ever Strengthened
out
eyes. And why not? What is she
to either you or her mother? Moth
Ing. Affection you have never giveE'
her, being unable 1t surprises youi
but, nevertheless, I love her, and
an going to marry her"
Really" said Mrs. Chedsoye.
Even So
You arc q fool, Horace!" with ris.
.nG :u!Y. 90 then. the child had not
.:he,l Nor IL moment of pique?
'.a ~ 90 generally are fools.
rye never spoken before, because you
never absolutely needed me till now.
There's my cards, pat"
Mrs. Chedsoye's fury deepened, but
not visibly. You are welcome to her.
If she Will have you"
yes" supplemented the major; If
she will have you. my friend, take her.
and our benedictions."
Ryanne's shoulders stirred sugges-
lively.
"Of course, I expect to have the
final word to say on the subject. She
Is my daughter said Mrs. Chedsoye.
"a trifling accident, my dear Clio
conda," smiled Ryanne! merely
that"
"Just little oil, just a little OIL
| the major pleaded anxiously. Dash
it all, this is no time for row OF this
silly order But it's always the way, d"
irritably. "a big enterprise, demand
ing a single purpose. and trifle like
this to upset it ALL"
81 am ready for business at any mo-
mert."
and you, Kate?"
We'll say no more about it till the
affair is over. After that ="
Those who live will see, eh?"
Ryanne rolled a cigarette
Ito business. then. In the first
place. Mr.. Jones must not reach the
Ludwig"
"He will not" Ryanne spoke with