The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-06-09

proximity OF tue GIL Muo stOou- III
rather stopped, half kneeling-less
than pace from his shoulder, watch
ing the process with interest hardly
less keen than his own.
Yet when one faint. odd sound broke
the slumbrcus silence of the salon. in
stantly he swung around and stood
erect in single movement, gaze to
the curtains.
But it had only been premonitory
rumble in the inwards of tall old
clock, about to strike. in the reception
hall. And as its sonorous chimes her
aided two deep-toned strokes Lanyard
laughed quietly. intimately. into the
girls startled eyes and sank back be-
fore the safe.
And now his task was nearly fin
ished. Within another minute he sat
back with face aglow, uttered hushed
exclamation Of satisfaction, studied his
memoranda for space, then swiftly
and with assured movements threw
the knob and dial into the several
varying positions OF the combination.
grasped the lever handle, turned it
smartly and swung the door wide
open.
Simple, eh?" he chuckled, with a
glance aside at the girls eager face,
bewitchingly flushed and Swallowed by
the lamps upthrown glow-"when one
knows the trick, of coursei And now
If one were not an honest mana
fortunes ours for the taking!"
A wave of his hand indicated the
rack, of pigeonholes with which the
cavity OF the safe was fitted-wide
spaces and deep. stored tight with an
extraordinary array of leather jewel
cases, packets OF stout paper bound
with tape and scaled, and boxes Of
wood and pasteboard of every shape
aud size.
l6ev were .onfy her finest
Aller personal HEels. that MadafA IN
Der took with her to England he ex-
planned: shes mad about thenlr-
never separated from them. Perhaps
the finest collection Of priceless stones
in the world for size and purity of wa
ter. She had the heart to leave these
--aIl thisl"
Lifting a hand, he chose at random,
dislodged two leather cases, placed
them on the floor, and with blade Of
his penknife forced their fastenings,
From the first the light smote radi-
ance in binding, coruscant welter
here was nothing but diamond jewelry,
mostly in antique settings.
He took up piece and offered it to
the girl She drew back her hand in
voluntarily.
mol" she protested in whisper
that sounded like one OF fright.
But just look" he urged There's
no danger-and you'll never see the
like OF this again!"
Still she stubbornly withheld her
hand. "No. no' she pleaded. I'D
rather not touch It, Put IL back. Let's
hurry. I'm frightened"
He shrugged and, acquiescent, re-
placed the jewel; then yielded again to
impulse Of curiosity and lifted the lid
OF the second case.
II contained nothing but pieces set
with colored stones of the first order
--emeralds. amethysts, sapphires. ru-
bies, topaz, garnets, lapislazuli,
jacinths, jades--fashioned by master
craftsmen into rings. bracelets, chains,
brooches. lockets, necklaces of ex-
quisite design--the whole thrown
heedlessly together, without care or
arrangement,
For a moment the adventurer stared
down moodily at this priceless hoard,
his eyes narrowing. his breathing per-
eeptibly quiekcned Then, with slow
gesture, he reclosed the case, took
from his pocket that other case which
be had brought from London. opened
It, ard held it aside. beneath the light,
for the girls inspection.
He looked not once either at its con-
tents or at her. fearing lest his coun-
tenanee betray the truth, that he had
not yet succeeded completely in exor.
Ching that mutlnous spirit, the Lone
Wolf, from the tenement over which
Il had so long held sway; and content
with the sound Of her quick, startled
sigh Of amaze, that what she now be
held could so marvelously outshine
what had been disclosed in the other
boxes, he withdrew his hand, shut the
case, found place for It in the safe,
and without pause closed the door,
shot the bolts, and twifled the dial
until the iumblers fairly sang.
One final twist of the lever handle
convincing him that the combination
was effectively dislocated, no rose,
picked up the lamp. replaced it on the
desk with scrupulous care to leave no
sign that It had been moved, and
looked round TO the girl.
She was where he had left her. a
small. tense, vibrant figure among the
shadows. her eyes dark pools Of ven
der in face Of blazing pallor
With high head and his shoulders
veil back he made 9 gesture signify
ing more eloQuently than any words:
eAll that IS ended"
Az though thereby released from
chains Of some strange enchantment
she started and came swiftly toward
him