The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-03
CHAPTER x.
The Pinch of the Matter,


The Finch of the Matter.
The engine on Vendome's train
blew out a cylinder-head an hour
out of Washington; as a conse-
quence, it was nearly two hours
late in arriving at Harrington.
Blake also was in the car; and,
during the wait this mishap en-
tailed, he took advantage of an
adjoining chair being temporarily
unoccupied to saunter forward
and take possession.
Going back to Rosemont?" he
inquired.
YES" said vendome, glancing
up from his magazine.
Stupid, this accident" Blake
continued. mo telling when we
shall get away"
Naturally" said Vendome.
dryly.
Blake looked at the other
shrewdly moment.
Queer thing about the hidden
cave on the deserted farm, and
the Jewels" he remarked.
mot at ALL" Vendome replied.
Everything is regular and in or
der"
You found the jewels, them"
I'VE did not wish to find
them"
Then why, may l ask, did you
go to that remote and deserted
tplace, seek out the cave, and en-
ter?"
ITO verify story" Vendome
responded. He was aiming to
find out just what and how much
Blake knew.
AND it was verified?"
/ I'm part" g
Not entirely?" &
"No.' 4
you intend to proceed with
1.-THE verification?"
Perhaps"
"'Perhaps'!" Blake repeated.
They must be a valuable lot OF
jewels!"
Vendome smiled inwardly-at
least, Blake was not aware of the
character of the gems.
"You wouldn't like to take me
aboard-let me in on your find?"
Blake asked.
1T isn't my find. nor my Sc
cret," Vendome said. I'VE are
only agents for another in the in
vestigation."
1t was now Blake's turn to
smile.
81 should try not to be objec-
tionable," he said. Moreover,
it's no longer. a secret from me,
you know-and one more will not
be too many"
| 81 haven't the least discretion
in the matter, Mr.. Blake" re-
turned vendme pleasantly. eve
cannot take you in. However,
that does not hinder you from ad-
venturing on your own account"
Il think 1 shall give you q
toss for it."
THAT is your privilege" Ven
dome shrugged.
'sYou haven't any title to the
property-the title is lost--at
least, there isn't a record of any
one owning it. Consequently the
jewels belong to him who finds
them. We shall see who finds
them, Mr.. Vendome."
"If will be vrey Interestingly"
vendome laughed, and resumed
his reading.
Blake glared at him a moment:
then got UP and sauntered away.
Dinner was almost over, when
Vehdome got to Rosemont.
Come right in, Orme!" Mrs.
Singleton called, as he crossed the
hall. Don't stop to change.
Carter rang up the station, but
they didn't know anything, of
course.
(which isn't strange" said
Singleton. They never know
Anything, when there has been any
sort of an accident
what did you do, Orme-
what did you dot" Betty demand
ed.
LET the man get something to
eat!" laughed her husband.
HE can tell US while he's be-
ing served. You want to know,
too, don't you. Natalie?"
Its not In the least difficult
to TELL" said vendome, carefully
flourishing the salt spoon over
his soup. Il did as your hus-
band suggested, Betty; turned the
matter over to the French am
bassador-the secretary of state
concurring."
What is the ambassador to
/ do, Mr.. vendome?" asked Nata-
lie.
Report the Scot woman's tale,
with the facts as verified, to his
government, and await instruc-
tions."s
(which may mean anything
week--a month"; year"
1.-THE ambassador will cable at
once, and advise me of the an
swer instantly"
"And what will Mr.. Blake do
consult us before acting?" she