The Washington times., 1917-10-07

Harry had lost the pearl Her Curl
osity was reused and :he resolved to
shadow him.
His actions were leisurely in the
extreme. He strolled along the east
side OF the drive and paused before a
mansion set back from the street
and guarded by a stone wall. Hand
some Jack seemed interested in this
wall, for he leaned over and then
climbed to the other side, there to
encounter a watchman to whom he
explained that his handkerchief had
blown to the lawn.
Lave a cigar, old man." said he
affable Jack.
The watchman took the cigar and
Jack began to talk. The watchman
was hailed by a friend and dis p
peared and the lover OF paintings
strolled toward the house. II was
shut up for the summer and barred
and locked.
lima had watched Handsome Jack
mount the wall. She climbed after
him and in so doing suffered n fall.
Handsome Jack, coming back from
his Reconnaissance, rushed to her
aid. Seeing that lima was young
the most solicitous OF cavaliers. He
insisted on calling a taxi and anX-
iously inquired II he could sec hsr
to her home. She refused. but gave
him her telephone number. and
thanked him when he left her a. a
corner mt far from her apartment.
lima Managed to get to her rooms
am found she was NOR frightened
than hurt. Moreover, she had very
little time to think about herself, for
Harry appeared with the news that
he had lost both pearls.
| He produced a bundle OF bills.
Don't be discouraged" he said. "I
have drawn a large sum from he
bank, and l am going to try my luck
once more. This time 1 should win
both pearls and keep the money be-
sides"
Which proves that Harry did not
know Handsome Jack. That individ-
ual was making preparations to add
| the masterpiece previously mentioned
| to the collection OF a wsll-known fence
when Harry came in with the money.
Hello" said Jack. I'm busy.
Changed your mind about tonight"
Harry shook his head. mo, ]
haven't, but I've made a little haul of
4 my OWns anu II wager TINS TOll
against the two pearls"
Handsome Jack examined the roll.
| THE pearls are worth more than
that" he said. but I'm regular fel-
low and I'll go you" And he pro-
duced the dice.
By this time Harry was in a fer
ment of excitement. Take it easy"
said Handsome Jack. What IL you do
lose? It's all in the game.
He appeared confident Of his own
luck, and his confidence was justified.
Harry lost two out OF three throws
and the nonchalant burglar gathered
| in the roll OF bills.
well, I'm ready for tonight" he
said gayly, land now I guess I'll cele-
brate." But Harry did not wait: ne
was sick at heart: he had staked all
his ready money and lost. He wan
dered into the street and walked to-
ward Ilma's apartment. But she was
not in. He walked up and down, re-
solving to wait for her.
II he could have looked into a we'll
known restaurant twenty blocks away
he would have seen lima and Hand
some Jack talking across a table for
two. Handsome Jack was openly ad-
miring lima He had made use nf her
telephone number to ask her to dinner
and she, thinking she might learn
something useful, had. accepted
Its absurd" said Handsome Jack
TO his companion. "that girl like you
shouldn't wear ornaments. Look here,
see these" and he took from his
waistcoat pocket the two pearls:
lima pretended to feel no special in
terest as he passed her the prizes.
How woud you like these set in a
rIng?" asked Jack, but Ilma's reply
.kA hanAaA
her a note. She read II, paler, crum-
pied II up and started to rise.
Excuse me-" said Handsome Jack,
"the pearls, please.
"Oh, 1 forgot" said lima, "and now
must go. Don't ask me any ques-
tions, but put me in a taxi and 1 will
return home
Handsome Jack insisted on riding
uptown with her, but she refused to
allow him to go to the door. Never
theless, Harry seeing her alight at
the corner, also caught glimpse of
her companion.
why are you riding with that fell
low" he demanded with pro
prietary air which sent the color to
the girls cheek.
Because l have been trying to
find the pearls you STOLE" she replied
causticaIly and swept past him.
I'm a fool" said Harry dejectedly 4
as he walked away. He had pro- I
ceeded but u short distance when an
old woman who had witnessed the I
tableau shuffed up to him, thrust a 4
note into his hand, and hobbled OF.
He stopped under light and read:
Jack will rob that house tonight. /
Catch him in the act and you can /
make him surrender both pearls"
This strange warning was signed
Nemesis" Harry looked around, the
old woman had vanquished.
"She reminds me of some one" said
the young man aloud, but can't
think who"