Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-03-04
rnf her out or the wayY-

nrSt. hut whht luckl
'-TeIephone!" he said. "shall an
swer III"
"Better let me-" She returned 10
him after moment. bruce: he's slip
ped through ms usual"
"Clever chapg
"And the gems are still on board
the boat
In the meantime Baird had no great
difficulty IN hanging TO the heels OF
Bruce's cab. He had an idea that the
cab would seek n deserted spot, posi-
bly, near the wnter front. where there
il a good deal Of abandoned property.
While his eye followed the cab in front
his mind was elsewhere. A year ago
he had been n crook. not dangerous
one,> to be sure, but Internally clever.
And here he was, striving honestly to
live decently. all because be had fallen
In love with the girl that should have
been his victim. Lots Of kinks In this
old world; lots OF startling twists and
windings. But of what use to love
herr She loved another. and a clean.
decent man too. He wondered II the
day would come when he could tell her
the truth, that for months he had play
ed at being her uncle and had boldly
attempted to do away with her.
What a contemplate scoundrel he
had been and what singular lack OF
perception he had had OF this fact I'M
III love awoke him! Come, now; he
must not fall to dreaming. His bust
ness was to watch yonder cab. Bruce's
cab began to leave trail through the
warehouse district and eventually came
to stop before dlsused factory.
Baird dismissed his cab and waited to
see what the smuggler did. He. too,
dismissed the cab, glanced swiftly over
his shoulder and entered the factory
door, evidently by means Of key,
Baird waited reasonable length OF
time, then made for the factory. He
knew that he would find the door lock-
ed. but nevertheless he tried 1t. He
wasn't at all disturbed to find 1t lock
ed. In ruined old building like this
there were many rickety windows
He had no difficulty in getting inside
II was not intended that he should
have any real difficulty in gaining en-
| trance. Bruce. knowing the tricks OF
detectives. had been quite certain that
he would be followed from the boat
pier, He had merely led Baird into
trap. Bruce had gone In by one en-
trance and out the other. The cab met
him two blocks away, and he was
driven to another part Of the town-in
fact, to semioccupied apartment
house where there was tunnel which
led to the secret elevator In the house
of Nine. Du Val on the next street.
He received royal welcome from
Mime. Du Val and Captain Radcliffe.
He had brought to port something ike
$4,000 worth of purest Brazilians.
"Oh, / was followed" he boasted'
land ! led the follower by his nose to
the old trap, and by this time he Is
doubtless out Of the running. But this
man Hunt Is getting on my nerves
He knows. but he can't prove any
thing. Now, what's your newsY
They told him briefly.
"You have found the real heir?" he
cried.
Eyes. And we have just arrived at
the conclusion of conference. This
girl Zudora must be put away until
we've MIXED that mine OF its last peD-
BILE. Her fathers partner-old crook
that he is-must be pushed or the
board completely. There's a million In
that pocket yet, believe me. l think
by quick action we can get what we
want within six months. Wen keep
Zudora under cover for that period OF
time. As, we understand 1t. she's en-
gagged to a lawyer named Storm. We
can fake ND an accident to Storm and
draw the girl into the net"
Actions the word. And there's no
better place to hide her until the coast
Is clear than in the old junk nut.
| That's where the boys will be taking
| Hunts understudy by this time"
but the diamonds" interjected
Nine. Du Val.
my dear lady, return to Liverpool
on the same boat arrived on. You
will come and see me Off. And when
you bid me fearful farewell the
precious pebbles will be inside your
muff. In fact, return in the same
cabin. and the gems are still In that
same cabin. It's a new stunt and
ought to hold of the inspectors for at
least n dozen voyages"
"You've got a head on you. Bruce"
admitted Captain Radcliffe admiringly.
Baird was able to find his way In
side the deserted factory. A trap to
the cellar caught his eye. He raised 1t
and went down and stepped plump
into the arms Of hulk Of man
who had been awaiting his arriv-
al. Baird was no weakling. but 1t
seemed to him that be- had run into
bunch Of live wire cables. Only q
7 chance blow saved him 1t saved him