Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1915-02-11


two houses.
In the beginning he had followed out
Hassam Ali's orders without any par.
ticular notice Of the victim, but after
the affair of WI Chang. Baird awOke
TO the fact that Xndora was an ex-
tremely attractive young woman. Thus
his interest In doing away with John
Storm began to have something more
than a negligible interest But Zu.
dora. That was another matter after
he began to recognize that his heart
beat faster whenever she came into
his presence. 1t was fortunate that
Hassam Ali was by pature cold and
undemonstrative in the matter Of be-
slowing affection. Baird longed to
touch her, but, knowing his part, dared
not.
Hassam Ais long black hair was,
as ZudOra very well knew, nothing but
a wig. Except that Baird's skin was
little fresher he and Hassam Ali might
easily have posed as twins. There
was no occasion for Zudora, then. to
look upon this substitute for her uncle
with suspicion. She began to suspect
sonality So Baird banked the fres
in his eyes and endeavored to think of
her as little as possible. But thoughts
are masters, and they lead us whittier
they will.
One day he entered the secret cham
| hr. H,,S nf oh. a., fSK.
with the real Hassam Ali, who lay
upon cot.
How do you feel todayT
BADLY" said Zudora's uncle. "YOu
have failed three times"
"l have done no better. no worse,
than you. f that is what you mean."
said Baird without much humility. 81
have told you that Zudora bears a
charmed life. Luck is always With her,
and John Storm stands at present in
the light of this luck"
"You are a fool, Bairdr' snarled the
sick man. "You are falling in love
with Zudora. | 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 Ali rubbed his hands togeth.
er. so they can" he said, 80 they
can. don't quite like the tone you
use today. DO you think | am mort.
bundf Are you looking speculatively
at my shoes? Jim, If you make the
least misstep I'll break you as easily
as could a church warden pipe.
AIMED knows and my attorney knows.
II disappear mysteriously and don't
return Hassam Ali.drew his finger
around his throat suggestively.
But IL rid you of this girl what
are you going to do with all that gold
millions? You're a miser, and We both
know it"
Perhaps l want the gold to play
with" grinned Hassam Ali. Il had no
playthings when was child; was
too poor. Go along, I've talked
enough" peevishly.
There is another little secret" said
Baird.
"Oh. there ISL And what might It
be?"
Diamonds"
Hassam Ali sat up stifiy. "what
: the devil do you meanT'
"Zudora's father once had partner
who went to Brazil. This partner
found briliants of high order. She
has half interest In this mine with
out knowing such thing exists"
Hassam All lay back. II have warn
: ed you. Now 90 and send Ahmed with
my tea"
Baird returned to the mystic room
his mind awhirl with u thousand
schemes He played his little comedy
with Zudora, saw some patients, and
ater took the evening paper. Upon the
front page he read bit Of news that
Interested him. The Van Wick child
heir to the Van Wick millions, had
been kidnapped despite all the precau
tionary measures to prevent such 9
catastrophe.
so they've done IT." he mused aloud
unthinkingly.
Done whatr asked Zudora.
"Kidnaped the Van Wick child
There may be little work for US, my
child-a little work for US. thinl
that III go downtown and make q
few investigations before they CONF
to u.s."
For one thing, he wanted to get away
from Zudora. All these thoughts u
her were crowding dangerously neaI
action. A misstep at this time woult
bring his house of cards tumblinl
| about his head. He proceeded to I
| house situated In semifashionabl'
| district and rang for admittance. Th'
| servant admitted him without ques
| tion. This house was the residence o.
| woman who called herself Nine. d.
| Val. The fall of her late confederate
| WI Chang, the hypnotic opium SNUG
| gler, had not implicated her. She ha'
| made her escape before the police hat
| battered their way into the CHAM
house.