The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-08-01
sheriff, Of charlesport county, and have

sheriff Of Charlesport county, and have
warrant for your arrest"
AS the sheriff advanced toward
Chatelard, the cornered man turned on
him with a sound that was half hiss,
halt an OATH He was like panther
standing at bay. Aleck turned toward
Melanie
1T seems that you know this man.
Melanie?" l.
Yes, know him-to my SORROW.
what do you know OF him."
HE is the paid spy of the Duke
Stephen, my cousin. He does all his
dirty work" Melanie laughed bit
nervously as she added, turning TO
Chstelard: "But you are the last
man l expected to see here | sup
DOSE you srs come from my excellent
cousin to find me. Ell? Is that the
case?"
Chatelard's eyes, resting on hef'
burned with hate. Yes, your High
ness. I am the humble bearer OF
message from Duke Stephen to your
self"
And that message is
"A command for your immediate 70
, turn to Krolvetz. Matters OF impor
: lance wait you there"
And If | refuse to return!
Chatelards shoulders went up anu
+ his hands spread out In that insoien'
i gesture affected by certain Europeans
Chamberlain stepped forward lmpS
q tiently.
v Look here, you people," he began.
4 you told me this chap was Dioomin
9 kidnaper, and so l rounded him up
4. | nabbed him And here you are eA'
changin' howdy-do. What's the NEAR
= ing of 1t all?'
i. AS he spoke, Chamberlain's eyes
q. rested first on Melanie, then on
Agatha, whom he had not seen before
20 by Jove!" he calculated.
- Whom did he kidnap?" questioned
III Melanie.
a Why, me, Miss Reynier,' criee
Agatha. He stole my car ant
al drugged me and got me into his yacn
,rt heaven knows why!"
no kidnapped! You'll" cried Melanie.
-, "Just So" agreed Aleck. And nov
| see why-you scoundrel!" He turf
er. ed upon Chatelard with contemptaou
~, fury. For once you were caush
.ou eh? These ladies are much ailKe-
ho, that is true. So much 80 that m
self was taken aback the hrst tln
saw Miss Redmond. You tnougi
an, Miss Redmond was the princess-ma
s a ouerading as an opera singer"
,na Her Highness has always been a
NV, h;. m,red as a singer!" burst out Cha'
was lard.
!. mo doubt! And even you were
ceiyed." Aleck laughed IN derislo
~ 49, "But when you take 30 serious q 81
,,aa as an abduction, my dear man, De 81
.es Won get hold of the right victim.
- "she was even singing the very so
0N that used to be favorite OF her Hlt
ness!" remarked Chatelard.
49,, your memory serves you too wei
nen But Chatelard turned scofingly
49, ward Agatha. "YoL sang 1t w
/. Mademoiselle, very we'll And, as
'es' gentleman asserts, you deceived e'
- me. But you are indiscreet to W
80 unattended in the park
''ie' Agatha, unnerved and weak
r grown pale with fear.
way "non't talk with him, Mr.. Van ca
We he ia dangerous. Get him away"
.red pleaded. ~
wing rue o,a-,r -
Again the sheriff advanced Tow
Chatelard, and again he was war
ye.' of with Kissing oath. At the 81
moment shadow fell within the o.
ner' doorway. AS Chatelard's glance
Or On cd on the figure standing there,
lease' face cleaned He pointed an &C
ing forefnger.
lrned' aTherc is the abductor, II any
was nerson is present at all" said
your aThat is the man who stole the Ia
tne car and ran 1t to the dock. Il
gns- YOUR man, Mister Sheriff, not l.
The accusation came with SUI
X, the tone of conviction on the part OF
door. speaker, that for an instant 1t conf
pisnea the mind of every one present. II
[orceu pause that followed, Chatelard III
ooor- with an insolent shrug TO
MN Agatha. This lady" and every
10 the had a sheer in it-"this lady VIII
. tify that / am right"
WIN Agatha stared with face OF
ood an toward the doorway. where
N iei' stood stood silent
lamp IF that is true. Miss Redmond
'esiues gan the sheriff.
camp "No-no!" cried Agatha.
IN the "He had nothing to do with
,m the questioned the sheriff.
or two trro pE CONTINUED)