The Washington times., 1915-08-22

a smile. despite her desperate situation.
when the bag proved to contain Il pair
OF striped paJalnas, some shirts, and
collars ~ TASK, and other male belong
ings. very evidently the property Of
MarmtSiuke Smythe.
Neither one of her captors trusting
the other to gugrd their prey. the two
worthless tied her securely and went
back to the wrecked coach to find the
document. Meanwhue. however, the
| eccentric English lawyer had come to
his senses. Clutching the only piece of
baggage N sight. and still clnging to
his stag's head and gun. he had trotted
| Off into the wilderness. When Blair
| and the gypsy reached the place they
| could find no trace of Esther's belong
ings.
Back in the blacksmith shop. the girl,
having freed herself Of her bonds. was
beating upon the door and crying for
help Quabba. climbing the mountain
on Esther's trail. heard and recognized
her voice Instantly. his dark broodings
! over the loss of the Diamond from the
| Sky which. before his very eyes. had
! been snatched by swooping pelican
| from the gills of the fish which the
organ CYLINDER had been in the act Of
hauling within reach. vanished as sud
denly as had that slippery gem. Selling
a sledge which stood by the door Of
| Esthers prison, he battered II till It
fell, Shedding tears of Joy. the two
fugitives sped off through the gathering
darkness. Blair and Luke. returning a
few minutes later. cursed their luck
| and gave pursuit.
| When day broSe on the other side of
the mountain. at the Lady Veronica
mines, the hoarse whistle of the power
plant woke Esther and Quabba where
they had fallen exhausted In their flight
! on the mountain SIDE. 1t also reused
to their evil purposes Luke Lowell and
and her faithful bodyguard could reach
the mine opening at the trestle end,
one glance showed them that the work.
ings were deserted. Arthur and his men
were gone, Whittier could they now
Nearer and nearer came the speeding
Luke and Blair. They had dared to
| cross the canyon by means Of the empty
ore cradle which Quabba had operated
| on the thin line of cable suspended over
the sickening height. Now. inspired by
despair. the Italian sprang into the lit
tie electric engine by the mine mouth.
Esther climbed up beside him. and
! they went. into the darkened heart VT
the hills. After them. came their re-
lentless pursuers.
At the same time, far away in Los
Angeles. John Powell" back from the
mountains. was taking possession of a
magnificent new yacht. From her hotel
window. vivian Marston spicd upon his
movements. scant half hour before
sne nan OrQereQ S2liDOat. Arthur.
standing at the wheel receiving his first
instructions from a sailing master, was
startled by wild cry forward.
A small sailboat with a woman at the
helm. lay right across his bow. The
next instant the little craft was struck
1t veered and crumpled on It's side. The
woman was in the water. Arthur
hurled himself after her. Vivian. risk:
ing her life for diamond had plotted
to cross the young millionaires path
"impressively.' So far, at least, she
had succeeded
But the gem Of which this unscrupu-
lous. fair woman was in quest. lay in
an inland marsh in q frog puddle. Far
overhead In the blue. a pelican with
open BILL winged his way into infinity.
] Continued Next Sunday.)