Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-30
By Louis joseph Vance
Author of 1.-The Brass BOtOL, "
"No Mans Land, " Etc.

/ l6erchiefs for bandages. cologne. perox-
She began to hustle about, helping Gym
thia to find the articles indicated, with
others that seemed calculated to prove
helpful.
And Mr.. Rhode?" she shot at Acklin
over her shoulder, in the midst Of these
preparations How is hep
'"Es come to already, mas am; 'e's In
lis own stateroom now. with Captain
Lobb and Mr.. Claret and-l beg pardon
sir; 1 didn't see you coming" the man
broke out suddenly. Nr
whats this?" Madame Savaran rap
ped out sharply swinging back to face
the door. Perez stood there, sleek and
obsequious to her face-having the In
slant before unceremoniously thrust
Acklin out of his way.
II hope I don't intrude," he began IN
tones oily and ingratiating.
You do" madame caught him up
What do you want?'
'I merely stopped to inquire, thinking
you might have been alarmed"
81 haven't, and Pm not, IL that's all
that's troubling you. Or is there, pos
sibIy, something else?" demanded the
old lady with an edge to her tone cal
culated 20 bite deep into the mans eff
frontery.
He looked and lifted his brows and
his shoulders and his two hands at once,
deprecating her attitude. Pardon" said
he, blandly IT wished merely to offer
myself should you feel the need Of pro-
lection"
I'VE don't and we won't" 4Aadame in
formed him bluntly. You may as well
understand now and at once that I'm
quite capable of taking care of myself
even in association with reptiles such
n .fV1Cr If
insect Claret. If you think you can
browbeat and COW me by making das-
tardly assault on our natural protectors
my son-in-law and that poor Mr.. Crit
tenden-you are sadly in error. I'm
glad" said Madame Savaran. confront
ing him squarely and speaking with
clear and blighting emphasis, you butt
ed in just at this moment, for it's time
you were brought to your senses There
entirely too much nonsense in this bust
ness. and we'd better clear IT up now
and for all time. To begin with. either
you will carry out your undertaking with
Mr. Rhode, or I'll devote my fortune to
seeing that you spend the balance of
your days behind penitentiary bars. And
to continue, you will take steps immedi-
ately to restore to me my jewels, or III
lay information against you the first port
we make"
'whatr' For once a 1.-THE of Perez's
nonchalance was notably subtracted. His
mouth opened and his eyes grew cloudy
with dismay What's that you say?
Your jewelsl''
"'Precisely-my jewels" resorted ma
dame, shrewdish but cool. Gone" said
she, with an expressive gesture; vanish
ed-stolen from my stateroom between
dinner this evening and an hour ago,
when I came to bed. But If you know
what's good for you. my good man,
they'll be returned in mighty short order,
believe me-"
But am sure madame
must be mistkaen?" Incredulity tinged
the tone of the objection. btraying his
obvious conclusion. on Second thought.
that the woman must he lying.
You think so? Wait one moment"
The old lady turned quickly and caught
up the leather bound steel case from her
berth. Look. them she cried. open
ing its front with jerk and pulling out,
one after another. its velvet-lined, neat
ly partitioned drawers, one and all des-
titute of a single article of jewelry.
This is how I find ii, when / start
to put away what l have been wearing
empty. swept and garnished And how
did IT happen? Ask Sidonie-rny maid
that beast!-ask Sidonie who knew the
combination of the first lock and who
kept the keys of the others! That sneak
ing animalT
but. madame" began Perez. dubious
but none the less Impressed; for her
rage was most convincing.
But madamer the old lady mimick-
ed venomously. But madame! A fine
figure of a villain you are indeed! To
let yourself be overreached by a wom-
an; to let Sidonie fill your ears with
tales of my jewels until she sees your
cupidity is excited and makes up her
mind to steal them for her own hand.
And so you'll renege on your bargain,
throw down your partner, abandon your
filthy plot-will Pin order to reap a
greater profit by robbing an old woman.
And here you are with all your pains
gone for nothing
'Ah, but as for that" returned Perez
recovering and unabashed; I'VE sha'n't
be long getting the Jewels from Sidonie
IL she has them"
Meaning, If I am telling the truth?"
demanded madame with a dangerous
light in her eyes
Perez bowed insolently.
Get out of my room. you beast!"
"All in good time"
CONTINUED in Next Issue.)