Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-01-15


The millionaire smiled and crossed
stood against the south wall. He bent
e it, fumbled with the lock, and i'm
mediately the great piece of furniture
swung away from the wall and dis
closed an iron door in the wall. A key
unlocked the outer door of the safe.
and after he had twisted the combina-
tlon an inner door opened. revealing
shelves and drawers crowded with
treasures.
One compartment, the entire width
of the safe. was empty.
This is the place where the gems
were hidden said Mr.. Oldershaw.
turning to the young lawyer. They
were removed from the tray. and the
tray or drawer was concealed under
the chest here"
How many times has Sir Morgan
Tilbury visited the museum"
"Three times in the past week-the
first time to renew his acquaintance
with me. the second time to sound me
regarding the purchase of the mummy
and this morning to close the deal.
He will send for the case this evening
he is anxious to have it boxed and
sent aboard the ship"
did you find Sir Morgan changed in
any way?"
Samuel Oldershaw started and clap
ped a hand on his knee.
THAT'S odd, Harleyr" he exclaimed
ST did find him changed In an indefi-
nable way that l can hardly explain.
He seemed a bit older for one thing.
but that was quite natural, as l had
not Seen him for twelve years, but he
appeared to be changed in other ways;
his were coarsened. and he
was decidedly off on many things re-
lating to his especial hobby. | laid it
to drink-he certainly gave evidences
of it-as well as to some mental affec-
ton. Surely he was not the same
courtly gentleman l had known In
London"
rs he a rich MANI" asked Harley.
Yes. beyond dispute"
please point out to me the mummy
which Sir Morgan has purchased" re
quested Harley.
MI. Oldershaw led the way to the
northwest corner of the room where
the largest mummy case stood, a gor-
geous mass of color against the mono
tone of the wall.
Mr.. Qldershaw lifted a tiny hasp. and
the door swung wide open on well
oiled hinges. Inside was a smaller
case. which opened at the m~illionaire's
touch and revealed the shriveled form
of a mummy.
Harley's keen eyes scanned the
brown mummy with its stained wrap
pings. Then he scrubbed something in
his notebook. He tore out the leaf
and inclosed 1t in an envelope.
please have this cablegram sent at
once,' he said. "Ill wait here until the
reply comes back"
but, my dear Harley, it may be
hours
"Never mind; 1 will wait. Perhaps
you will send me up a bite to eat"
suggested Harley. ut is now 2 o'clock.
l should have a reply before mid
night"
every good. MI. Harley. Evidently
you know your business" said Mr.. Old
ershaw reluctantly. IF there is any
thing else l can do
Harley whispered a few words in his
ear, and the millionaire went out, look
ing much dazed, but quite convinced
that Harley was handling the case in a
highly satisfactory manner.
Harley sat down and read page after
page of dry scientific reviews. Appar-
emily he read them, but never once did
his gaze wander long from the mummy
case in the corner.
At 6 o'clock the butler brought him
a delicious dinner, which he ate under
the white glare of the electric ceiling
lights. Then more hours passed while
he waited.
At 10 O'Clock Mr.. Oldershaw painted
upstairs again.
"Well, Harley" he said expectantly.
"Sir Morgan's men have come to take
away the mummy case"
"Where is Sir Morgang'
"They say he will come in later"
rs he in the habit of appearing sud
denly before you-or is he announced
in the usuai way?" was Harley's star
Ting question.
That's odd" cried Oldershaw, rub
bling his hands n%ervously. "He called
upon me yesterday. and while Amos.
my butler. remembers admitting him he
has not the slightest recollection of let
ting him out. although Amos was in
the entrance hall all afternoon. And
furthermore he does not remember ad-
hitting him this morning and wen
now protests that he hasn't seen him
depart I'm afraid Amos is getting
old"
Harley smiled and asked another
question, this time in a low tone:
'Have the special officers arrived?"
"Outside the door,"
Mr.. Oldershaw pulled aside some tap
ocfrioe and af HarIav,e ouiaf SIGNAL