Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-02-09


her 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 limo
cent superficial intent, addressed to a
certain member of a leading firm oil
| jewelers. in Amsterdam, was the in
variable signal for meetings such as
! this, which were always held in the
/ same place, at an indeterminate hour
after midnight, between this intelli
gent, cultivated and wellmannered
young Jew and the thief in his mask.
In such wise did the Lone Wolf dis.
pose of the bulk of his loot; other
channels were, of course, open to him
receiver of stolen goods could he hope
to make such fair and profitable deals.
Now, inevitably, in the course of
this long association, though each re.
manned in ignorance Of the others
identity, these two had come to feel
that they knew each other fairly we'll
Not infrequently, when their business
linger an hour with the agent, chatting
over cigarettes-both, perhaps, lit
tie thrilled by the plquancy Of the sit
uation, for the young Jew was the
only man who had ever Willingly met
the Lone Wolf face, to face.
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 a jewel case
of morocco leather and gave it to the
Jew, then settled back in his chair, his
attitude one of lounging, but his mind
as uneasy with d1strust 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 forma1ity to plumber Of
greater value. Fitting 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."
II took it," Lanyard retorted good
humoredly-"not to put too fine
point upon it!'
The Jew shrugged, and with tie tips
of his fingers gently pushed the box
toward his customer.
This makes me very unhappy" he
"but have no choice in the
matter, monsieur. AS the agent of my
1 am instructed to refuse
you an offer for these valuables."
'Why?"
Again the shrug, accompanied by a
deprecatory grimace: THAT is diff
made me. My instructions were mere
1y to keep this appointment as usual,
but to advise you that it would be i'm
possible for my principals to continue
their relations with you as long as
your affairs remained in their present
status"
@'"Their present status?' Lanyard re-
peated. ''What does that mean?"
Il cannot say, monsieur. I can only
repeat that which was said to me-"
After moment Lanyard rose. took
the box and replaced it in his pocket.
every WE'LL" he said quietly. Your
of course, understand that
this action on their part definitely
ends our relations rather than merely
them at their whim?"
81 am desolated, monsieur, but-one
must assume that they have consid-
cred everything. You understand, it
is a matter in which I am wholly with
out discretion, trust?"
ooh, quitei" Lanyard assented care
lcSSly. I1C ASlu OuI AAio 1idud SooO-
by, my friend"
The Jew shook hands warmly.
Good night, 1nonsieur-and the
best of luck!"
There was significance in his last
words that Lanyard did not trouble to
analyze. Beyond doubt the man knew
more than he dared admit. And the adj |
yenturer told himself he could shrewd- |
y surmise most of that which the
1ther had felt constrained to leave un-
spoken.
Pressure from some quarter had !
been brought to bear upon that emf
lently respectable firm of jewel mer- !
chants in Amsterdam to force them !
% discontinue their clandestine rela-
ions with the Lone Wolf profitable
.hough these must have been.
Anger burned in him no less holly !
han chagrin. 1t could hardly be other |
wise with one who, so long suffered to |
20 his way without discovery or him
trance, now suddenly, in the course Of |
l few brief hours, found himself
brought up with round turn-hemmed
n and menaced on every side by Sc
,ret opposition and hostility.
He no longer feared to be watched;
md the very fact that, as far as he
,Ou1d see he wasn't watched only