Judsonia weekly advance., 1917-04-04

hSCp tilC JcWclS, dlu udS iOCheu Htllelll in his private safe"
 T must know every part of the story" said Kelly, Cor I cannot pro- ceed with intelligence"
 "The fact is," Prince Angus re- sumed, Duke Hestor covets the throne, and he is very popular with the people. There may be an uprising at any hour and the king may be de- throned. This would bring Duke He's tor into power."
 This Duke Hestor," Phil began "does he know the combination to the safe?"
 ''Yes, he does," the prince replied, "and, unfortunately, he and the king are the only ones who can open the door to the vault.'
 ''If the duke were able to procure the gems, could he sell them readily?" was Kelly's next question.
 ''Yes, indeed" was the immediate an- swer. "Only short distance from the palace there is an immensely wealthy banker who has made it known pub licly that anyone who will bring him the gems may have the money"
 "Who is the leader of the Peoples league?" the detective next asked
 "They have never had real leader until this very week. There is a mys- terious woman among them now, and she is immensely popular. Her pres ence caused the king to send for you. She is working the peasants into frenz- ieS of enthusiasm"
 "How long did you say this woman has been here?" Kelly inquired. his keen interest being shown in voice and manner
 "Only a day or two. She has come here from Paris, where she is known for her charitable deeds and her inter- est in the poor and oppressed"
 Kelly sat for moment silently con- sidering the outlook.
 You may tell the king that l will fathom the plot" said the Sphinx.
 While Prince Angus and Kelly were discussing the problem that confront ed them, the girl leader of the Peo- ple's league was holding a secret ses- sion with Duke Hestor in another room of the palace.
 You must take me to the room where the vault has been built. Then give me the combination, and I will get the jewels. They belong to the peo- pie and they must have them," the girl was saying.
 T can understand why you are the idol of the poor Parisians, Miss Patri- cia," said Duke Hestor with uncon- cealed admiration. '.They told us you would dare anything in behalf of the poor, and that is why we sent for you-but had no idea you would face such danger as stealing the jewels might involve"
 'The danger means nothing, if I can accomplish the purpose that these poor people have intrusted to me-" the girl responded. And as she was speak ing Duke Hestor wrote series of num- bers on piece of paper and held them before Patricia's eyes.
 ''Memorize those figures" the duke said, "and you have the combination"
 Over and over again Pat studied the figures and when he was assured they were fixed in her mind, Duke Hestor tore the slip of paper into small bits and thrust the particles into his pocket.
 ''I will show you the room where the vault door stands behind curtain Here is a secret door," continued Duke Hestor as he pressed carved rose on the wall panel
 Duke Hestor and Pat stood for looking into the room. With his back to the intruders, the king sat in deep meditation. Silently indicat- ing with his hand, Duke Hestor point ed to heavy draperies that hung against the farther wall of the kings library.
 Then he drew the girl back from the opening where they stood. and let the panel slide noiselessly into it's original position.
 Behind those drapes is the door of the vault" said the duke.
 Pat departed from the palace by a secret entrance, tossing the purple mask into vase of flowers near the walk. She knew that if Sphinx Kelly were to pick it up, he would know that again were his wits in conflict with the most beautiful mystery in all Paris.
 As Pat passed along the streets her rare beauty made her the object of un- disguised admiration.
 Pat went straight to the meeting place of the Peoples league.
 T am going to the king" she said, fin your behalf, and to do the work