The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-06-02

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different n0|1e< of zI1rm
The o1l< SQUADS 14e "a 11( seem q
7ear Hera thoz<--l< aus thai accom-
panied L1nyar1's departure and rs
turn Had he not been fkouxhtfn|
enough. when fen fe<< 1IStsnf, 10
sire warming with the light sAe mixhI
sell have greeted With cry Al fright
tho consciousness 81 i presence near
Der. 50 silently he moved about. As
4 WIS. she was startled. epprehensir6
q some mIsadvonfnre. 10 find him
back 20 soon for he hadn1 gone three
minutes, long though her nervousness
had made that period seem
ITS quite all right he announced
in hushed accents no longer whisper.
ing There are inst I've people Ia
the house aside from ourselves eli
servants, asleep IN the rear wing.
We've clear field--if no excuse for
taking foolish chances' However,
well be finished and OF again within
ten minutes This way.
Their destination proved to be q
huge and gloomy library at one ex-
IRENE OF chain Of magnificent salons
that formed a yeritabIe treasure gal
lery OF exquisite furnishings and au-
thentic old masters. AS they moved
slowly through these chambers Ian.
yard kept his tlash-lamp busy: inyolun-
tarily. now and again. he would check
the giri before some splendid canvas OF
extraordinary antique.
I've always meant to happen in
some day with moving-van and loot
this place properly" he confessed
with a little sigh, considered from
the viewpoint OF an expert practitioner
in -ah-late profession. it's sin
and shame to let all this go neglect
ed when it's SO ill-guarded. The old
lady Madam omber you know--has
all the money there is. approximately,
and when she dies all these beautiful
things go to the Louvre. for she's with
out kith or kin"
'But how did she manage to accumu-
late them all?" the girl wondered.
ITS the accretion of generations Of
passionate collectors. he informed
her. THE late NJ. omber was the last
of his dynasty; he and his forbears
brought together the paintings and the
madame added the 0rien-
tails gathered by her first husband and
her own collection of antique jewelry
and precious stones. That's her par
ticular fad. Here we arel"
AS he spoke the light OF the flash
lamp was blotted out. An instant later
the girl heard little clashing noise Of
curtain rings sliding along a pole, and
this was thrice repeated. Then. follow
ing another brief pause. a switch
and. streaming from the hood
Of portable electric desk lamp, pool |
Of light flooded the heart OF a vast !
place OF shadows.
Reviewing 1t swiftly. the girl found /
herself in an apartment whose doors
and windows alike were cloaked with
heavy draperies hanging from floor to
ceiling in long. shining folds. Immense
black bookcases lined the walls, their
shelves crowded with volumes in rich
bindings; from their tops pallid, sculp-
tured masks peered down inquisitively.
eering and scowling at the intruders.
A huge mantelpiece of carved mar
BILE, supporting great, dark mirror.
the best of one wall; beneath
I wide, deep fireplace yawned, insufs,
fciently shielded by a screen OF (
wrought brass and crystal. In the mid
lie Of the room stood a library table
II mahogany; huge leather chairs and
touches encountered the remainder OF !
is space And one corner, that to the
light OF the fireplace, was shut of by :,
! high Japanese screen of cinnabar
md gold.
To this Lanyard moved confidently,
the lamp. Placing II on the
loor. he grasped one wing OF the
icreen with both hands, and at cost OF
effort swung 1t aside. un.
covering the face Of huge. old-style
afe, of which the body was buried In
he wall.
For several seconds-but not for
many Lanyard studied this problem
ntently, standing quite n.otionless,
lead lowered and thrust forward,
lands resting on his hips. Then. turn
ne, he nodded an invitation to come
learer.
"My last job he said. with a snil.
ng countenance oddly lighted by the
amp at his feet--"and MY easiest,
ancy. Sorry, too, for I'd rather have
liked to show of a Bit But this old
ashioned tin bank gives no excuse for
pectacular methods"
But" the girl objected, you've
Irought no tcolsl"
"0h, but haye!" And fumbling in
pocket, Lanyard produced pencil.
Behold" he laughed. brandishing 1t.
She knitted thoughtful brows. Il
ont understand"
"All need-except this" II
Crossing to the desk, he found
beet of note paper and, folding 1t, re-
urEed. Il
Now" 10 said, give me five min.
ties