Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-18
THE SEVEN PEARLS
Episode No. o.

TO the astoni:hcd banker. did you
lose pear: just now in your taNi:"
And she kcld forth the exac, dupli-
cate of the pearl Falcnti had bought.
The bankers face went white: lie
fcl, In his waistcoat pocket and fran
tically drew out the pearl ia is it's
sue wrapping.
NO. didn't. Heres my pearl: what
do YOU mean and what do you want"
'oh nothing" said lima. I'll make
proposition to you'll, match sou
for both pearls"
But Mr.. Falenti had no idea of doing
anything of the sort: he declined. and
lima was forced to leave "A little un-
certain what TO do next. BY her clever
rusc she had located the missing pearl
Her best plan seemed to be to return
to her apartment and wait for Harry.
She found there visitor she little
reiished. the executioner. lie was ex
aiming Harry's picture and glazing at
the inscription beneath.
lie was in the ac, Of cutting the
photograph To pieces with his scirnitcr
when Harry himself appeared AS his
shadow showed the glass panel Of
The inner door the cXccutioner. putting
his finger TO his lips. slipped behind "A
portierc.
Harry. fresh from the meeting Of
Grady and his confedcratcs, had "A lot
10 tell his confederate. but her evident
GOODNESS amazed him. "Remember,"
she said. we are working together TO
secure the seven pearls, and do not
cloud the issue with scntimentality.
Sit down and tell me what you were
able to learn"
'It was some meeting" said Harry.
facing her. 1T appears that /. as
member Of the gang. am expected to
put the others on the trail Of some
hing worth robbing. Our friend
stayne was there. and as nasty as
ever"
Well" said lima. II can tell YOU
mat Falenti. small banker mas tho
pearl 've are seeking; he bough: il
from Wcxton."
oh he did" said Harry Then Id
IKE to bet that Falcnti is not straight ::
an! man who will buy stolen goods
must be crooked himself Just YOU
leave Falenti to me-
What are you going TO do. Harry"
IL toll you later have a little
psah and If II works wen get Falenti.s
pearl and II won't cost US a cent-and
he won't ask for it again, either"
lima showed her delight, and for a
moment forgot the mcnacing figure
waiting behind the porticre. Her
change Of manner waG not los, on
Larry. See here, lima" he said. as
ne rose why were you SO cool 10 me
Jus; now"
cool?" asked the girl, suddenly re i.
memberng the warning of The cxoc,,
Toner You dreamed il, Now burr,
"'onE am dying to get the pearI.
=" yam Harry sought TO make his
-bE an ancCtionutc one. He W.,
|" leave with :, formal hand
Sn"H'' The moment he had gone III.
'tu'i"heF emerged and faced tho girl
''a" heen sent TO guard III thou
40 "'''t been promised to my august
Shaii dare TO love this siaour."
ne Ha'd' hrandishinS his dagger aho,.
"' mead OF the terrified lima
hu' I'm not III love with Harry"
r'!tu' "neeitnH IN her terror
ne ENecutioner Elared down a, bar
an" men sheathinG his weapon uttered
'i'er warning and backed GU, Of
The apartment,
me lima was bemoaning the fact
'hat she must think not AT all Of tI.rr,
Drake. but only Of the recovery 90
seven pearls and the saving Of her foo
Ter father. the young man who had
caused All her trouble was carrvinc ou,
MS scheme TO secure Falcntrs pearl
nc called or the banker and faced
him with a smile
nave business proposition To
make said he. III may sound re-
markable but never mind that-rm
going TO rob Your bank and have
come to YOU for assistance"
Inc banker stared and cautiously
touched button. Here was a mad
man who must be handled with care.
y porter entered. The young man
leaned forward and said in a low voice.
40 you feel that point on your kneeo
that's pistol; the moment YOU ask
Tor aid shall pull the trigger"
The banker wavered, and then. with
parched throat. ordered the man To
return.
Now" said Harry, the pistol 10
nothing but a pencil. but | want Won
10 near me through. Here is my
schemc-you realize 100000 and have
the money i'll the bank here by Satur-
DAY. You take $4,000 home with Won
and leave $4,000 hcrc-there will be
bank robbery, the robbers will get
o,ooo-you will get $4,000. the rob-
bers will get all the blame; no one
will suspect you."
Falenti gazed at Harry doubtfully.
, What security have / that you will
not tell the police?"-
Tell the police? don: YOU see that
You are safe in any event-you take
the money home with you. Now. either
the bank will be robbed or it won't
be robi'cd-if it is you raise a great
cry and declare that the robbers got
away with 100000. See how easy
it is?'
'All right" said Falenti. suddenly
But what's your motive?"
Fart OF the 10000 is my motive"
said Harry. Give me- the cCmbina-
ton and you're through.
When Harry made his appearance at
Grady's headquarters the leader and
his men were discussing various plans
OF making much money quickly; Grady
listened to each and shook his head;
when it came TO TIarry's turn and he
unfoldcd the scheme TO get the money
from Falenti's bank Grady approved.
"Iv got the comb, nation Of the safe"