Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-23
THE SEVEN PEARLS
Episode No. II.

leaving tho young Eirl to her grief
About the Same time that Harry and
the Sultan's messenger emerged from
Ilma's rooms Ferry Mason and Staync
infuriated and tied after their hasty
journey back across the State arrived
at the formers home in the suburbs.
No sooner was the arch plotter in
side than he saw that his home had
been ransacked With haste that
bordcrcd on the ludicrous. he rushed
for the lamp from which Harry had
extracted the three pearls.
Even the hardened Stayne shrank
back when he saw Perry's face. Tho
pearls have been stolenw shouted the
aviator. who has taken them? The
pearls gone" And he stamped
up and down and swore that once he
learned the name of the thief he would
wreak such vengeance on him that he
would welcome death Il thousand times
over.
II took Stayne most OF the evening
10 calm him, and even the next morn
ing he continued to rave over his loss.
In the midst of his rantings. Stayne
spied note under the door and passed
il 10 Perry.
LOOK herc.' cried the latter, read
ing Joe Gudseons letter Here's a
chance TO set one pearl at least. Are
you with me-" Stayne nodded, only
100 s!ad OF diversion after the
stormy scenes with his confederate.
Let's start at once" said Perry. II
know where Joe lives. and we can
reach there ahead OF lima for he saws
I ne has written to her also. Here's my
| chance to foil hcr-for she's got to win
that seventh pearl"
AS Perry and Stayne set out for
Joes shaniy bcrrcl near a side wall
topp!ed over. and out of it came the
E*ecutioner. lie brushed off his
clothes and watching until the two
men we're almost out of sight. fol-
lowed them. keeping his eyes fixed on
their retrcatinG figures.
Jocs not arriving at Ilma's apart
ment was read by her with the great
est cagcrness. Here was her golden
opportunity to redeem her promise
She called up Harry and told him the
purport OF the message and he lost no
t'mc in hurrying to her
lie was as anxious as she TO recover
INC seventh pearl seemingly thrown
thus proridentially in their way.
But though lima and Harry started
at once their enemies arrived at tho
shanty before them.
Ferry. even in his desire to b,Ik
lima could not refrain from his usual
criminal tendencies. He halted with
IN sight OF Gudgcons shantv and
pulling marble from his pocket
showed II to Staync. See that" he
said. We'll I'll fool Joe; won't nav
nm cent. III just substitute tb;.
marble for the pearl when he ISM
looking" He laughed and S,,vpa
laughed. too. And Joe GudEeon laughed
for he had been looking a, tho ,u.n
through binoculars and no v..s
$40" TO make out just what the Man
OF the willy Perry was. He took dow
ooS OF moth balls from a shelf and
selecting one nearest the sizs ~ 49,.
coveted pearl. he carefully wrapned :,
IN paper and put il in the lcft-b
pocket OF his waistcoat
BY the time he had renl,,
box Knock announced the arrival NJ
Perry and Stayne.
hello" greeted Joe. Come ;n,o
my palace. boys"
50 you've got the pearl stilI" e,i,
Perry Mason. o
I've got it all right. The ouee,io,
'S w you want il ="
hets see it first" parted Perry
'oe "oIisinsly produced the real
from ms left-hand pocket.
''aSne crowded UP as his confed.rat.
"n''hed the prize. There was no mis-
h ."e Eenuincness OF the gem. Joe
a.c"eo the faces of the two men
How about s25.O00?" he asked
come along, Joe. you're crazy-jt,s
5000 pearl, yes. but it's not worth
any such sum as that"
On very we'll" said Joe. pretending
s'eat disgust He turned and adroitlv
'ooh out the moth ball. which he laid
paper ISsue
Perry Mason, on the aler, ,oor "a
oi monetary move of Joe's
10 answer a question of Stayne's and
slipped the piece of papcr con,a;nin
the marble in place of the one which
held the moth ball. He then ;o;,oa =.
the conversation.
Well" he said to Joe. II guess we
can't do any business"
NO, your price is too high" s,;a
Stayne. striving to conceal a grin
Just as you say" Joe agreed. an
parently not at all anxious to get rid
them and laughed. while Perry and
Staync made off toward the water tank.
Then Staync. mastered by greed.
pointed his gun at Perry's head. De
liver that pearl he said You've had
too much of this all along: come across
I'm tired OF sharing all The danger
and getting none of the stuff"
Perry Mason. taken at a disadvan-
tage. handed over tho tissue paper
package, which Stayne deposited in his
pocket. Now. I'll thank you for your
pistol" he said, calmly.
His face. like Il thunder cloud. Perry
passed over the weapon, which Stayne
showed in his pocket. 4 twig struck
his face. and he raised his hand to
brush 1t away. stronL udor Of cam
phor assailcd his nostrils-hc smelled
of his fingers. then, like fash. he
took out the paper and unwrappcd the
supposed treasure
ITS moth ball." he yelled. Hes
CROSSED or