The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-06-24

The Merriment at the Crow
figure, for all IT'S height, was strangely
stoop shouldered, moving with a dig
nifty OF step which went well with the
voluminous drapery in which IL was
clad. And Manley watched closely as
this stately Arabian chieftain. bowling
grayely TO Golden, reached out two UNI
gloved hands to greet the two hands
which his host extended to him. About
these hands he saw at a glance, there
could be nothing doubtful.
But Manley had little time TO give
further thought to tho scene. for az
that moment he became aware of the
fact that Da Espares had slipped away
to another part OF the house-and dur
ing that night, Manley had determined
be would keep an eye on his enigmati-
cal foreign friend But instead OF
following Da Espares, on discovering
him stepping quietly into the deserted
library. the alert-eyed young secretary
promptly retreated 10 the quarter
where the receiver OF his dictaphone
was concealed. There, on placing this
watch.case receiver 20 his ear, Manley
had the satisfaction of catching the
faint hum OF voices. Much OF that
guarded talk taking place in tho IL
brary Manley could not overhear. But
he caught enough 10 arouse his curl
osity.
Then the plan has worked?' asked
the anxious voice of pa Espares.
Without a hitch" answered the
other voice The Orders have been
cut through and the bomb placed"
And the clock fuse adiusted?'
yes"
but what was II set for?'
For the stroke of twelve!' an
swered the unknown voice. by that
time the crowd will be az the table
eating!"
But how. asked the anxious voice
OF Da Espares. could we get Legar
inside?"
The sound OF a triumphantly quiet
laugh came over the little instrument
"Legar Is already here' announced
the other
Hush Not SO loud warned pa
Espares And from that point on IL
was only broken phrases that tricklcd
into tho hidden listeners ear.
Came as an Arab chief
Mocha the Dago acrobat on his back
yes, under cloak could hold
out both hands and never even
suspected being watched
can't afford TO lose this timel"
Again came the sound Of the quietly
triumphant laugh. And It was De Es-
pares' voice that sounded clearly the
next moment
But how did he work that bridge
fallg"
long dive came up under a
lumber schooncrs stern and hung TO
rudder chain down with tide
an hour later ~. swan ashore
launch TO Oyster Joe's!"
Manley did not wait for more. Mid
night. he knew. was already too peril.
ously close for half measures BY the
time ne reached the upper floor, in
fact. he found Enoch Golden already
heading the grand march TO the great
table running almost the full length OF
the huge room opening off the conserv-
atory. Tho next moment he saw Da
Espares himself step hurriedly, yet
smilingly TO the side Of Margery Gold.
en- and take their places in that gayly-
colored line that rippled with laughter
and movement as the orchestra once
more struck up. Then, remembering.
what he had overheard about mysteri-
ously weakened Orders and planted
bombs, Manley likewise remembered
the newly installed vault and the fact
that Legars final object was the pos.
session OF a certain paper which that
vault held. And he slipped out through
the door. and on through the empty
conservatory, frantically wondering
Just what his first move 10 avert that
impending catastrophe should be.
The figure which interviewed in that
crisis. however. was a much more pic
turesque one than the slight figure OF a
young private secretary In somewhat
disheveled evening clothes. For when
the merriment about tho great crowd
ed table was M its height an unex.
pected ami unlimited guest strobe in
through the wide door and confronted
the company there assembled THIS
figure wore a duststained motor coat
and cap But the most conspicuous
feature OF his attire was the yellow
mask which covered his face Equally
conspicuous was the huge blue-bar.
relied revolver which he firmly held in
his right hand. This weapon, IN fact.
glinteG menaclngly in the strong light
as the strangers left hand was sud
denly lifted for silence
Ladies and gentlemen he pro-
claimed In a clear voice. this intru-
sion. fear. may shock you. But you