The Washington times., 1915-02-07

dAteT the IRE winch destroyed MS mouse
caused a serious complication in Zu-
dora's affairs which she did not realize
until just after the apartment to which
he had moved after the fire, had been
entered and ransacked. The disappear
ance of her uncle deprived her of all
means of support Her income had been
received through him. She had abso-
affairs. A Mrs. Ramsey, Kindly
friend who had known Zudora's s mother
offered her a home until she could
straighten out her analrs. She ac-
cepted the offer. and declining financial
assistance whH John Storm and Jim
Baird had pressed upon her. she set to
work to unravel the mystery of her
uncle's life and his sudden disappear
ance AS his body was not found I'm
the ruins after the fire. she does not
Is absolutely essential that he shall be
found In order to learn something about
her fortune.
In the meantime the affairs of Ma.
dame Duval and her band of conspira.
tors have prospered. Having identified
Zudora as the owner of the Zudora
claim. they plot against her, as they
have designs of their own on this
fabulously wealthy mine. Baird and
Storm both suspect that she has had a
principal part in depriving Zudora OF
, her fortune. but as yet neither of them
has obtained the slightest evidence
against this beautiful but extremely
dangerous woman. In her wonderful
Grecian salon. Madame Duval Is con-
stantly surrounded by veritable court,
her satellites being her principal aids in
the numerous evil schemes in which she
Is the central figure
1t happens that on this particular
day the band are gathered together for
an especial purpose. AS they chat. the
cleverly constructed fountain in the
center OF the salon. signals that a new
conner is about to enter. and Captain
Radcliffe. most favored of Madame
secret elevator. behind the portieres.
and admits three of the rougher men,
bers of the band, Hat in hand the
three confer with their fair chieftainess.
vault. adroitly hidden in a pillar. and
brings forth bag which fairly bulges
with diamonds. They are the gems
which Bruce has brought. The bril-
liants are spread upon table. where
theX Ssten tSess and so% St like liking hnSs e.
spoils.' almost whispers Madame Duval.
as the others draw around her. There
10 more-much more to be had. Nor
shall we have to wait long"
While she speaks. Captain Radcliffe
draws a heart with a dagger through it
around the circle. and each member
holds It, while their beautiful leader
"IlNeS hcT lIilldIS "llIlI1 SSfle gives Il
few brief instructions to the three new
comers, who then take their departure.
They do not know that Jim Baird has
trailed them thither. nor that he again
follows them as they leave the shouse.
For Baird has hit upon a clue.
He knows that Bruce. whom he sought
to trail from the steamer. later being
made captive by some Of the band. as
told In episode ten. has brought to
properties in south Africa. So When
he trails the three men to a diamond
cutters. he feels that he is close to a
solution OF the mystery. How to observe
their dealing with the diamond cutter
in time of need. procures a rope, ascends
to the roof Of the building and lowers
himself down to point where he can
peer In through the window at the do
ings Of the trio.
Meanwhile John Storm. also following
the devious paths OF the conspirators.
might have been found in the office OF
Tom Hunt, the detective, carefully
paper which zudora had found in an old
trunk one Of the few thiSss rescued
from the fire. He gets some informa-
tion. which he sends to Tom Hunt.
which interests that astute individual
nightly: Straightaway. the detective
While all these things are happening.
Zudora. never suspecting the vital events
that are taking place. sits safe at home.
toying thoughtfully with bracelet.
which has just been given her by John
Storm. Suddenly. there appears at the
window a startling apparition, bearing
a heart-shaped shield. on which Is writ
ten a warning message. bidding her to
flee the country on pain OF worse be-
falling her. But before the girl can
call for aid, the spectre vanishes.
In the meantime Tom Hunt has not
been idle. Acting on the information he
has received, he trails two of the baTid