The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-21

There was no longer any thought
on Chr sto stop ss~ Me spS m leave
his post at the door, from which he
had doubtless taken the. precautioh
70 remove the key; In few minutes
actors would be running of the scene.
Nothing had gone wrong, Christopher
was yinE to himself. when sudden
a wave that, FOR a second. turned him
giddy. Had nothing gone. wrong?
what II this were not z Joke. but
d Ins wo sasneSs ho What ~ these laugh
Jewels again BY this time the con-
tents OF those leather pouches might
be worth goo; 900: II. under his
aid were a rogue-.well. the game
would be well worth the candle for
a man In financial troubles. OF any
sort And that poor hnDpy child t61 the
II at her, house. led on by her. eX-
ample. all these people lost their
such a calamity. She might even lose
her lover through 1t.
wrong II Nj s IS pauSray ' had meant
wits were quick and his courage
high. he could stop the game!
suddenly his head was clear as a
bill II he ala IL. the hing % yni,G NJ No,
Fpoil FitsEerald's chance of the prize,
In case the nlny were genuine re -
after all. But IL II were earnest he
Bouten. save the Jewels. and-unleBs
Fitzgerald were q fool-no one need
ever know the ruth.
He decided to act. and the moment
Fitzgerald had finished. He and his
assistant w"re beginning their
toward the glass doors. But instead
S BEEN Sn tSd q do he Gs sa nGaIcRy
found II fastened, and slipped the key
into his pocket Then, VIZ, his hack
to the geld curtains. he hred one par,
This was to let Fitzgerald know that
he was formida ble-that he carried no
harmless top at his belt; and the effect
was overpowering. All the women
screamed (he hated frightening them
| but II was for their own good. and even
Fitzgerald and hi1 follower were taken
n was but for an instant. though.
They sprang forward: but Christopher
/ stopped them with his leVeled revolver
, before they could touch the triggers OF
| theirs
Hands up. or I fire." he shouted.
Their weapons had death In them, too
! he was sure OF that-but his couid
speak first. and II II spoke there would
be an end OF one man. The danger was
| that ne could not be sure OF covering
| two at a time. and the third was not
/ far off now but that was the risk ne
| had been ready to run. and on the IN
! sSant he was called upon 10 face II.
| From behind Fitzgerald the other man
| would have taken the chance and ffed'
/ but some one knocked up his arm tho
| one but Christopher saw that Il was a
yelled abbess), and Lord Arfowdale, as
nj
now, took advantage of the fellow ;
brief confusion to setze the revolver
! from behind.
with that Fitzgerald burst into loud
laugh and tucked on his weapon Ss SneW IN he s
! game was up. and the only hope lay IN
! saving Appearances. or was he merely
ready to end his harmless play for the
prizeO Don't be frishtsnsd' anyDodd Ss
breaking with laughter. Then. snatch
! ing off his mask and looking handsome
| and gallant in his SLOUGH hat, he ran and
knelt at Cndine's feet. calling his COM
| rade to follow.
"our leather pouches, and all that Is
in them is" he exclaimed. "in exchange
for the prize. fair lady"
And Miss van Bouten took o OFF hs'
though a little pale.
shall he have the prize, my friendsr
she cried aloud.
And the company. unmasklg' answer
| ed with many voices that the prize mus
belong to the highwayman.
ITS to be put to vote, you know. a.
! supper" she said.
Fitzgerald and his friend. havlnl
given up their bags OF spoil to theil
hostess. rose from their knees.
Then Fitzgerald came to where Rae,
still stood by the door. Everyone wa!
listening. but all he had to say was e
| thank Christopher for his dramatic
| rnpranfiOn Of his mart -
"Your one slight mistake" he finish
ed. has proved a blessing in disguise
for II enables me also to change m!
mind at the last minute. ! and m!
friends will stay to supper and hear oul
fate-in the matter of the blue diamond
You are free to do as you choose"
II must be getting back to town"
with your carr" Very well; We vii
| meet later"
Fitzgerald was the hero OF the occa
sion; and one OF the young men of Mis-
Dauvrays party presently slipped
| S@r@---