The Washington herald., 1913-10-19

Paul Van Der Pool. connoisseur of
crime, comes upon a young Fellow Wno
is being cheated out of several million
dollars by a crooked executor Of his
fathers will He receives an invitation
TO a fashionable masquerade ball at the
house of his false friend. Paul van Der
Pool secures a fascinating partner Tor
him. Marie Jacques Is her name. She
is a Frenchwoman who dances and en-
tertains several guests in the Hon Jud-
kins's chess cellar Meanwhiie lhe sate
are stolen. The culprft is not caught
Later Van Der Pool produces the booty
and relates very startling story about
Marie Jacques, the mysterious, who has
finally brought justice to the young
millionaire through the clever manipu-
lation of her fingers in conjunction with
Van Der Pools brain.
mo doubt about it. have an idea
of investigating old Judkins for you and
j think II will work out all right. !
will call into service a young lady who
has helped me out on more than one
occasion"
"A detective?' asked Tillinghast with
interest.
We'll, YOU might call her that" smiled
Mr.. Van Der Pool The idea is this:
i will dress you out as s sort Of boule-
vardier; you'n be a gentleman adven-
turer, and this young lady, wearing a
gay red mask, will accompany you as a
sort of lady adventurer."
Il see. Rather a novel masquerade
But what will the young lady do?" asked
Tillinghast anxiously.
'tShe will do what seems best to her.
/ can rely on her absolutely. The point
is this There will be a gay time at
Judkins' on Friday night. During all
the frolic and laughter it will be a good
chance for you and this young lady, in
disguise to try and learn some facts
about this new will which you suspect
Judkins TO be holding back from you-
But how? What shall do?"
You do just as the young lady / am
going to send you with tells you to. i
shall instruct her. and I miss my guess
If she doesn't get an opportunity. under
the guise of fun and frolic, to obtain
some data of real interest on that sup
pressed will. BY the way. 1 suppose that
celebrated chess room will be opened to
the guests?'
YES, il always is on such occasions:
it's something everybody wants to see
and it's remarkably cool and quiet down
there"
II see Well, the time is very short
and. must see this young lady friend
who is going to help us out. Her name
is Miss Marie Jacques. Very French,
ISN'T il? She will go to the Judklns
masquerade with you tomorrow night
You will be admitted on the cards Mrs
Judkins SO kindly gave you. You will
mingle with the throng, and II Miss
JACQUES sees a chance you will aid her
in every way possible"
.I can't see a ray of light, but have
faith in YOU. Mr.. Van Der Pool, said
TilIinghast sincerely, grasping the otner
hand.
Now, I'm going OF TO look up Miss
jacques at once" continued Mr.. Van
Der Pool You. go TO the opera or
wherever you like. My man will be back
in a few minutes to help you dress.
Wear anything of mine you like. Bilkins
will give you enough money so you can do
as you wish this evening"
Mr.. Van Der Pool quickly Withdrew
while the disinherited young society man
was protesting. He went to his own
room in the rear of the apartment and
locked the door. He sat silent for ten
minutes, thinking, then rose and opened
the door softly at Bilkins's knock.
"I got the 500 on the watch, sir, said
BiIkins, bowing and extending the bills.
Take this so to Mr.. Tillinghast, said
Mr.. Van Der Pool. Help him dress; and
here BiIkins, keep this SO Tor yourself"
Mr.. Van Der Pool pocketed the re-
manning bills and, locking>the door again,
turned to a little private closet we'll
stocked with a variety of things. He re-
manned in his private room until o'clock
in the morning. Then he threw himself
on the bed, dead tired, and slept like q
child.