The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-03-10

taxicab. and in ten minutes more was
at the ample, open and unguarded
porte-cochere OF roomy court walled
with beetlfng, ancient tenements.
Assuring himself that the courtyard
was deserted, Lanyard addressed him
self to a door on the right; to his
knock it swung promptly ajar with
click of its latch. At the same time
the adventurer produced from beneath
his cloak small black velvet vizor
and adjusted it to mask the upper
portion of his face. Then. entering a
narrow and odorous corridor, whose
obscurity was only emphasized by a
lonely, guttering candle, he turned the
knob of the first door and walked into
a small, iil-furnished room.
A spare-bodied young man, who had
been sitting at desk. reading by the
light of an oil lamp with heavy green
shade, rose and bowed courteousiy.
Coco morning. monsieur" he said
with the cordially of one who greets
an acquaintance of old standing. BE
seated" he added, indicating an arm
chair beside the desk. 1T is some
time since have had the honor OF
call from monsieur"
THAT is so,'' Lanyard admitted, sit
ting down.
The young man followed suit. The
lamplight. striking across his face be-
meath the greenish penumbra OF the
shade. discovered a countenance OF
Hebraic cast.
Monsieur has something to show
me, eh?"
But naturally"
Lanyard's reply just escaped flavor
of curtness-as who should say What
did you expect?" He was puzzled by
something strange and new in the at
titude of this young man, trace of re-
serve and constraint.
They had been meeting in this man
ner for several years, conducting
their secret and lawless business &C.
cording to formula invented by
Bourke and religiously observed by
Lanyard. A note or telegram Of tnno-
cent superficial intent, addressed to
certain member of a leading Arm OF
jewelers. in Amsterdam, was the in
variable signal for meetings such as
this, which were always held in the
same place. at an indeterminate hou1
after midnight, between this intelli-
gent, cultivated and well-mannered
young Jew and the thief in his mask.
Why, then, this sudden awkward
ness and embarrassment on the part
! of the agent?
Lanyard's eyes narrowed with sus-
picion.
| In silence he produced jewel case
of morocco leather and gave it to tho
Jew, then settled back in his chair, his
attitude one of lounging, but his minG
as uneasy with distrust as his fingers
which, under cover of his cloak, rested
close to the pocket containing his au-
tomato
Accepting the box with a little bow.
the Jew pressed the catch and uncov-
cred it's contents. But the richness of
the treasure thus disclosed did not
seem to surprise him; and, indeed, he
had more than. once been introduced
with no more Formally to plumber OF
greater value. Fitting a jewelers. mag
nifying-glass to his eye, he picked up
one after another of the pieces and ex-
amined them under the lamplight.
Presently he replaced the last and
shut down the cover Of the box.
He turned thoughtful countenance
to Lanyard, made as if to speak, but
hesitated.
"Well?" the adventurer demanded
impatiently.
This, | take it," said the Jew alb
sently, tapping the box, SIS the jewelry
of Nine. Omber."
81 took it," Lanyard retorted good
point upon it,"
The Jew shrugged and with the tips
Of his fingers gently pushed the box
toward his customer.
"This makes me very unhappy" he
admitted; "but l have no choice in the
matter, monsieur. AS the agent of my
principals, l am instructed to refuse
you an offer for these valuables."
"Why?"
Again the shrug, accompanied by q
deprecatory grimace: THAT is diff
ficult to say. No explanation was
made me- My instructions were mere
" to keep this appointment as usual.
but to advise you that it would be im-
possible for my principals to continue
their relations with y,u as long as
your affairs remained in their present
status"
Their present status?" Lanyard re'
peated. what does that mean?"
81 cannot say, monsieur. can only
repeat that which was said to me-
After a moment Lanyard rose, took
the box and replaced it in his pocket.
Every WE'LL" he said quietly. Your
principals, of course, understand that
this action on their part definitely
ends our relations rather than merely
interrupts them at their whim?"
81 am desolated, monsieur, but-one
mutt assume that they have consid-
cred everything You understand. 1t
l~N.IN ~