The Washington times., 1917-12-30

Dordered on the ludicfous ne ruBhso
for the lamp from which Harry hae
extracted the three pearls.
Even the hardened stayne shrank
back when he saw PsrFy's face. "ThS
pearls have BEEN stolenW shouted the
Aviator. who has taken them7 The
pearls are 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 Z
thousand times over.
It took StAyns most Of the evening
to calm him, and even the next morn
Ing he continued to rave over his
loss. In the midst OF his rAntinGs
Stayne spied q note under the door
and passed It to Perry.
look hereF cried the latter, read
ing Joe Gudgeon's letter; here's q
chance to get one pearl at least. Are
you with me?" stayAe nodded, only
too glad OF diversion after the
stormy scenes with his confederate.
Lets start At once" said Perry. II
know whore. Joe lives and We can
reach there ahead OF lima, for he
says he has written to her also.
Here's my chance to foil her--for
shes got to win that seventh pearl" ;"
As Perry and stAyns set out for
Joe's Bhanty . barrel near q side wall
toppled over and out Of Il came the
Exeeutiohsr. He brushed Off his
clothes and watching until the two
men wsfs almost out Of sight, follow
cd them, keeping his eyes fixed on
their retreating figureA
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.
Joe's note arriving At Ilma's apart
rnent was read BY her with the great
est sagernssS. 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 time In hurryine to her.
He was as anxious As she to re-
cover the seventh pearl seemingly
thrown thus providentially in their
way.
But though lima and Harry started
At once, their enemies arrived at the
shanty before them.
Perry, even In his desire to baIk
lima, could not refrain from his usual
criminal tendencies. He halted with
In sight Of oudGson's shanty, and.
pulling . marble from his pocket.
showed Il to etayns. "SOO thGtr' he
said. well, I'll fool Joe; won't pay
him . cent. I'll just substitute this
marble for the pearl when he isn't
looking" He laughed and Stayne
laughed, too. Also Joe GudSeon
laughed, for he had been looking at
the two through binoculars, and he
was not slow to make out just what
the plan OF the willy Perry was. He
took down q boz Of moth balls from
- -
size Of the coveted pearl, he carefully
wrapped Il IN paper and put Il In the
lsft-hand pocket Of his waisteoat.
BY the time he had replaced the
box q knock announced the arrival Of
Perry and stGyne.
'Hsllow greeted Joe. Come into
my palace, boys"
so you've got the pearl still." said
Perry Mason
I've got it all right. The question
10 how badly DO you want itr'
Lots see II frst," parrisd Perry,
and Joe obliEinEly produced the real
pearl from his left-hAnd pocket
stayns crowded up as his confeder-
ate examined the prize. There was
no mistaking the Esnuineness of the
two men.
How about SIS. DOOR" he asked.
Come along, Joe, you're Grassy
it's q good pearl. yes, but it's not
worth any such sum ~ that"
"Oh, very WELL" saId Joe, pretend
great disgust. He turned and
adroitly took out the moth bail which
he laid on the table. wrapped in the
tissue paper.
Perry Mason, on the alert. took ad-
vantage Of . momentAFY move of
Joe's to answer . question Of stAyne's
and slipped the piece OF paper con-
tanning the marble In place OF the one
which held the moth ball. He then
Joined in the conversation
well" he said % Joe. II guess We
amt do any buslneSA"
mo. your price IL too high" SAID
3tAyne, striving to conceal Q grin
Just as you say" Joe agreed, ap-
,arsntly not at all anxious to get rid
If the pearl He shut the door behind
them and laughed, while Perry and
stayne made on toward the water
tank.