The Carlisle independent., 1917-09-06


 know not how by signs he made his majesty know that the original of the doll was alive and could be found, and that he could lead him to her. I only know that one month later, with the royal exchequer footed, the infatuated monarch and his confidant, Ducroix, secretly stole away from the palace.
 ''The king had deserted his wives; they soon realized this. Only one queen, his first wife, mourned It took me two months to learn sufficient of the Jangeh gibberish to make her un- derstand all the merits of the situa- tion. It took Queen Ibi Zwoa only two minutes to engage me to accompany her in a world girdling chase of his recreant highness.
 Therefore am here. What have learned has been through our host," and he pointed at Marvel. ito whom we were directed by the French con- sul Admirable direction! Estimable man! We have told him all, but-we have not found the king"
 Marvel arose. noticed switch of the veil, and the woman it covered also arose. It was signal that the conference was ended. She could not have been more than four feet in height. With omesquerulous gibber- ish, in voice that might have be- longed to child. she lifted her veil.
 It was only for a moment that had sight of the face of Queen Ibi Zwoa, but I shall never forget it.
 I was sent on variety of missions during the ensuing several days, the real purport of which I did not fully understand at the time. I realized that I was taking helter-skelter stitches only in network of which the master hand held the main warp and wool.
 I also knew that Marvel had notified the civilized world to find and detain Bernard Ralston. Beyond that he had local emissaries and outside core spondents on the trail of King Zwun Zhi.
 The king" he announced to me one evening, is in hiding. or dead. It seems that he and that clever agent of his, Ducroix, followed Sophia Volt mar clear across the continent. hear of gifts to that peerless beauty be- yond the purse of king. Lured on. but never SO much as touching the hem of her garment, this fatuous ad- mirer has been encouraged, duped and beggared. The railroad scheme was evidently an afterthought of Ducroix when their money gave out. find they sold the entire issue to Ralston for mere song. The proceeds went in the main to the conspirators who acted for voltmar. If King zwun Zhi is in hiding, have reason to believe that he is in this city. I shall soon know"
 It came sooner than I expected It was drizzling, gloomy evening, that on which accompanied Marvel to the Cosmos cafe. It was second-rate place, mostly visited by men. AS we entered the door noted Loti in the background. He made sign to Mar vel, and it seemed to me to indicate man lounging carelessly against an old piano.
 Just beyond it four men were play ing cards at a table. and the man I have mentioned was in position to look over the hand of the player whose back was to him. As if in casual way, the man at the piano struck three of the ivory keys iD sue cession with his finger. A moment later he struck four notes, and then quickly single note three times. Marvel was watching him narrowly. Of sudden he turned half way around. He simply fixed his eye on Loti The latter disappeared. In about five minutes he re-entered the place. two men with him. These men approached the man at the piano. What they said to him do not know, but he fidgeted, changed color and with evident reluctance accompanied them from the place.
 Come with me-" directed Marvel. following on their heels. That man, I believe, is Napoleon Ducroix. We shall soon find out He must have had a royal time helping Zwun Zhi squan- der his fortune. He has got down to the level of professional card sharper now, it seems. Did you notice his playfulness with the piano? Those careless key taps read, first AGE; next, FACE informing his friend in the game that his adversary held the acc and four face cards in his hand"
 It was to the captains room at the nearest police station that they took the man from the piano. When we arrived there Marvel looked him over critically.
 Take oil his shoe, Loti," he said simply. This was done, with some re- on the part of the prisoner. To the ankle the barred member showed a peculiar reddish brown.
 You are Napoleon Ducroix," spoke Marvel, ''and there is no need of send ing for Emil Lafort to prove it. He tells me your distinguishing marks are a pair of feet marked still from your old service in Parisian dye factory. Shall we go any further on that