Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-02-12


as Zld0ra very well knew, nothing but
a wig Except that Bairds skin was a
little fresher, he and Hassam Ali might
easily have posed MS twins. There
was no occasion for Zudora then, to
look upon this substitute for her uncle
with suspicion. She began to suspect
seriously his attitude but not his per
sonaity So Baird banked the fires
1 In his eyes and endeavored to think of
her M little as possible But thoughts
are masters, and they lead us whittier
they will.
One day lie entered the secret cham
Der at the foot of the shaft to confer
with the real Hassam All, who lay
upon cot
How do you feel todayY
BADLY" said Zudora's uncle. You
have failed three times"
~ have done no better. no worse,
than you. II that IL what you mean"
said Baird without much humility. II
have told you that Zudora bears II
charmed life. Luck is always with her.
and John Storm stands at present in
the light Of this luck"
You are fool. Buird!' snarled the
sick man. you are falling In love
with Xudora. may be ill., but am
not blind. She Is not for you. Don't
waste your valuable time with any
thought like that | tell you she must
die. hate herr
You have promised that II you
should die what you have would be
come mine said Baird You have
promised to make me your heir.
have seen that WILL but Wills can BE-
torn up and rewritten
Hassam All rubbed his hands togeth-
er. 80 they can" he said, 80 they
can. | don't quite like the tone you
use today. Do you think | am mort
bund? Are you looking speculatively
at my shoes? jim, II you make the
least misstep IN break you IN easily
as | could church warden pipe
AIMED knows and my attorney knows
II disappear mysterlously and don't
return Hassam All drew his finger
around his throat suggestively.
But II rid you OF this girl what
are you going to do with all that gold
millions? You're miser, and We both
know It."
Perhaps ! want the gold to play
with grlnned Hassam All Il had no
playthlngs when | was child; was
too poor. Go along, I've talked
enough" peevishly
There IL another little secret" said
Baird.
"Oh, there isf And what might 1t
beY
Diamonds"
Hassam Ali sat up stltiy. "Wkat
the devil do you meanT"
"Xudoras futher once had partner
who went to Brazil, This partner
found brilliants OF high order. She
has Il half interest in this mine with
out knowing such thing exists"
Hassam All lay back. Il have warn
ed you Now go and send Ahmed with
my ten"
Baird returned to the mystic room,
his mind awhrl with thousand
schemes. He played his little comedy
with Xudora. saw some patients, aud
later took the evening paper. Upon the
front page be read bit OF news that
him. The Van Wick child.
heir to the Van Wick millions, had
been kidnapped despite all the precau.
tionary measures to prevent such a
so they've done III" he unused aloud,
Done whatr asked Xudora.
kidnapped the Van Wick child.
There may be little work for us, my
rhlld-a little work for us think
that I'll go downtown and make I
few Investigations before they come
to u.s."
For one thing, he wanted to get away
from Zudora All these thoughts of
her were crowding dangerously near
action. A misstep at this time would
bring his house Of cards tumbling
about his head He proceeded to
house situated in semifashionable
district and rang for admlttance. The
servant admitted him without ques
ton This house was the residence Of
4 woman who called herself Nine. Du
Val. The fall Of her late confederate.
WI Chang. the hypnotic opium snug
;ler. had not implicated her. She had
made her escape before the police had
their way into the Chang
house.
She came into the drawing room to
Ind Baird, SANS wig and makeup; in
act. himself. He was In the middle
hirties. and certain kinds Of women
would call him fascinating.
"Jim?"
Yes. So you've accomplished the
eat In spite OF the private detectves?'
What do you mean?" lnnocently.
Come, come. Nora; between you and
Ne there should be no secrets. mean
he Van Wick child. You've got him" II
80 we have. And 1t will take hun
red thousand to get him back. l'm
citing little tired Of this career |
want enough to live In simple comfort L
n France. Do you know, Jim, that o.
gu are fine looking man." III
Baird shrugged. u
And that II you'll listen to ME this "
irl Zudora shall vdnlsh 10 completely u
hat she'll be as hard to find as Il pun at
I smoke? And when that IL done !"
y by to Hassam Ali. whom I've al ~
rays hated. He's as cold blooded AZ '"
fish. Millions. boy. for both Of US!
'rayel and luxuryp' VI
She sat down beside the man. She u
,as undeniably handsome. but Baird III
ad seen tigers equally az handsome =
nd even as be gazed upon her the eu
l.eamy face of ZudOra seemed to fit a