Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-19
THREE

IF there is anything OF his on board
IL must be in his luggage"
Very well. we'll have the lugsas.
down." said Maritz. and | will look
through II here and now. sitting rs
your side. Johnson.''-.nd he raised
his tone imperat!vely-"shu, III"
gates
Tho bronze gates closed. and the
courtyard became as private as Il il
had been Il vast room.
Tho next order was for Van Cor,.
iandts suit case to come down from
the roof of the car. where II had been
placed when tho new members joined
the party. strange looking. thin. (
little key on the miiliouaire's watch
chain opened the case AZ though il had
been made for tho lock: and the absent
mans clothing, neatly folded as il by
valet. lay exposed to view. Peter
MaritZ lifted everything out, shook
each garment and ransacked each cor
ner of the handsomely fitted piece ot
luggage. but the thing ne searched for
was not there. He was looking very
stern and anxious now.
Il am as sure as am OF my own
life that my nephew would not have
voluntarily remained in the hands OF
thieves. sending you and your motor
on. If he had had on his person the
me-" said Maritz, with grim confidence.
"IIe himself did not know whether ne,
Miss Warren or my old servant Jacobs
was carrying back the real thing or IN
imitation: nevertheless, AS he knew the
chances were one in three that he had
the right one. he would have died
rather than risk breaking faith with
me
Il can give you no explanation OF the
mystery" said CHRISTOPHER.
Now that you arc here. IN my court
yard there is reason why
shouldn't confirm your suspicious" re-
piled Maritz, in more conciliatory
tone. You ought to have with you
the New koh-i-Noor. OF which YOU
must have heard. You see | have
cause for anxiety. and have had cause
enough ever since tho truth about my
purchase OF the finest diamond found
In 100 years unfortunately leaked out.
/ was certain that a well-known gang
Of diamond thieves would be on the
lookout for the stone on its way back
from Amsterdam, and | did my best 10
guard it. IL was my naphew's idea
TO employ you and your car; and know
ing your name and the reputation YOU
made in Dalvania. | approved the no
tion. AS for giving you a false name
he did nothing OF the sort. His mid
die name Is Van Cortlandt-hs last Is
much abroad. and. luckily for my
project. is scarcely known here as yet
You can why he did not wish to
give his own name, Maritz. on account
Of tho association. 1t was better for
YOU to know nothing, and YOU need
have no resentment if he was not en-
tirely frank. The mission was not his
own. hut mine. though If he succeeded
he was to be made my private sec
rotary. with such salary as to keep
himself and wife. if he chose to take
one-Miss Warren. for instancc-in
luxury. Now you understand what
hung upon success. for him. and YOU
must see that he would not easily
tail me. II you are hiding. anything
because you think you haven't been
treated fairly"
Christopher broke in with protest.
but the position was now becoming
worse than uncomfortable. He WAS At
his wits end. and in the desperation
would have told the millionaire to
send for the police and have him
searched. il he chose. when 81 loud
clanE at the gate bell cut him short
Keep everybody out." cried Mnrtz
What il IL is your nephew himself."
exclaimed Christopher.
Then let him in, amended the
master OF the house; and an instant
later the small gate at the side OF
the great ones WAS opened to admit
Van CortlandtMaritz. with Miss War
rem.
"IIurrah. uncle" cried the young
man. We hired motor and came on
like lightning after the rescue roor
old Jacobs was druSgcd on his way
TO get the diamond. IL seems and who
but the notorious Tom Ashley did the
trick and disguised himself SO we'll
think even you wouldn't have detected
the fraud--so we'll he was exactly like
't'obss photograph which YOU showed
inc-anh got tho parcel But he's
caught. and his three confedcratcs; and
the diamonds in his ovcrroat This
girl Is the trump told YOU She would
DC, and her packet she threw into the
car. as MIR. Race must have told YOU"
But yours-yours. Fan: that is what
want. almost painted the million
afro.
stuffed IL into the petrol tank
!uSt room to squeeze it in" said tho
You're man calmly. Then turning Ia
TIC girl, he caught her hand Won't
you have story to write," he cried
And it will have to end with our
wedding"
Forgive me for everything. AR
race. said Peter Maritz. You must
come TO this Wedding
"a New Adventure Next Week,