The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-04-21

In such wise cid the Lone Won dis
rose OF the bulk Of his loot: other
channels we're. OF course, open to him,
but none SO safe; and with no other
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-
NAMED in ignorance OF the others
identity. these two had come to feel
that they knew each other fairly well.
Not infrequently, when their business
had been transacted. Lanyard would
finger an hour with the agent, chatting
over oigarettes-both. perhaps, a lit
tie thrilled by the piquancy 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 dlstrust as his fingers
which, under cover Of his CLOAK, rested
close to the pocket containing his su
tomato
Accepting the box with little bow,
the Jew pressed the catch and uncov-
cred its 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 formality 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 a thoughtful countenance
to Lanyard, made as II to speak, but
hesitated.
"Wen?" the adventurer demanded
impatiently
This, take IT," said the Jew abb
sently tapping the box, is the jewelry
Of Nine Omber."
81 took it, Lanyard retorted good
humoredly-"not to put too fine
point upon it,"
The zaw shrugged and with the tips
Of his fingers gently pushed the box
toward his customer.
This makes me very unhappy" he
admitted "bu ] have no choice in the
matter, monsieur. AS the agent Of my
principals j am instructed to refuse
you an offer for these valuables,"
"Why?"
Again the shrug, accompanied by a
deprecatogy grimace: THAT is DIFF
ficult to say. No explanation was
made me, Ny instructions were mere
ly 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. l can only
repeat that which was said to me-"
After a moment Lanyard rose, took
the box and replaced it in his pocket.
Very WELL" he said quietly "Yous
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
must assume that they have consid-
cred everything. You understand, it
is matter in which / am wholly with
out discretion, trust?"
"0h, quite!" Lanyard assented care
lessly. He held out his hand. Good
by, my friend"
The Jew shook hands warmly.
GOOD night, monsleur-and the
best of luckl"
There was a significance in his last
words that Lanyard did not trouble to
analyze. Beyond doubt the man knew
more than he dared admit. And the ad-
venturer told himself he could shrewd-
ly surmise most OF that which the
other had felt constrained to leave I'M
spoken.
Pressure from some quarter had
been brought to bear upon that emf.
nently respectable firm of jewel mer-
chants in Amsterdam to force them
to discontinue their clandestine rela-
tons with the Lone Wolf, profitable
though these must have been.