The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-05-06

The voice of the maid replied: yes.
madame comingI"
"welI-don't. just yet Wait there
till I call you"
Very good. madame"
The woman returned complete at
tention to Lanyard
Now, monsieur Of two minds, what
is it you wish?''
Why did you do that?" the adven-
turer asked. nodding toward the recep-
ton hall
Tell Sidonie to wait instead of call
ing for help? Because-wen, because
you interest me strangely. I've a curl
Gus notion you're in desperate guam
dairy and about to throw yourself on
my mercy"
''I am Lanyard admitted tersely.
"Ahi Now this does begin to grow
interesting! Would you mind telling
me why?"
Because, madame, have done you
a great service, and feel 1 can count
upon your gratitude"
The FrenchWoman's eyebrows lifted
at this. Doubtless monsieur knows
what he's talking about
Listen, madame. I am in love with
young woman, an American,
stranger, and friendless in Paris If
anything happens to me tonight, If
am arrested or assassinated-"
rs that HkeIy?"
Quite likely. madame. have enc
mics among the Apaches and in my
own profession as we'll l have reason
to suspect that some of these are in
this neighborhood tonight 1 may pos
sibIy not escape them In that event
this young lady of whom speak will
need a protector"
And why must interest myself in
her fate, pray?"
Because, madame. of this service
have done you. Recently. in London.
you were robbed"
The woman started and colored with
excitement You know something of
my stolen jewels?'
Everything, madame; it was who
stole them"
You? You are. then. that Lone
Wolff"
4 was, madame"
why the past tense?'' the woman
demanded, eying him with a gathering
frown.
Because I am done with thieving-"
She threw back her head and
laughed, but without mirth. "A likely
story, monsieur! Have you reformed
since 1 caught you here"
Does it matter when? 1 take it that
proof. visible, tangible proof of my sim
cerity. more than meaningless date
would be needed to convince you
No doubt about that monsieur-the
Lone Wolff"
Gould you wish better proof than
that of restoration Of your stolen prop
erty?"
Are you trying to bride me to let
you of with an offer to return my
jewels?'
Pm afraid emergency reformation
wouldn't persuade you"
You do well to be so afraid
But if I can prove I've already re-
stored your Jewels
But you cannot"
IF madame will do me the favor to
open her. safe she viii find them there
| -COuSpICuOuSl9 pAdC6Q
What nonsense"
Am 1 in error in assuming that
madame didn't return from England
until quite recently?"
! But today, in fact"
'And you haven't troubled to inves-
! tigate your safe since returning?"
ct had not occurred to me-
Then why not test my assertion be-
fore denying it?'
With an incredulous shrug Nine.
! Omber terminated a puzzled scrutiny
| of Lanyard's countenance and turned
to the safe.
But to have done what you declare
you Nave" she argued, you must have
known the combination-since it ap-
pears you haven't done any breaking
open"
The sequence of the combination ran
! glibly on Lanyard's tongue. And at
this. with every evidence of excite
ment, at length beginning to hope
more than to believe-the woman set
herself to open the strongbox Within
a minute she had succeeded. and the
morocco-bound jewel box was in her
hand
hasty examination assured her its
treasure was intact
But why" she stammered, pale
with emotion-"why. monsieur, why p
Because 1 had decided to leave on
stealing for livelihood"
When did you bring these jewels
here?"
-Four or five nights SINCE
ELEPHANT GIVES FIRE ALARM