The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-10-14

side with beating heart. The only
sound was q strange mumbling as Of
some one praying. The executioner,
stin concealed In the shadow, made
no move.
The door to the dining room stood
slightly ajar. lima peered In The
sight she saw there made her hes
itate. The negro butler was kneel-
ing with clasped hands raised high
and from his lips came an impassion-
ed supplication:
"oh, may de good Lord have mercy
on my SOUL" he cried, his eyes fixed
on the ceiling.
lima listened. What could he
mean7 she wondered, but not for long.
Perry Mason set her doubts at rest
Bursting into the room he strobe to
the terrified negro and selzing him by
the shoulder jerked him to his feet.
You blithering idiot, what do you
meanT"
~or, Massa Mason, you know it's
true. You CANT hide yourself from
de Lawd. He seen you kill your
brother-he seen you
you dog, you're erazyP cried
Perry, now shaking him violently.
"shut up, I tell you, or I'll send you
where he went" And he looked fear
fully about the room as II fearing the
walls might write down his words.
He pushed the butler away ana
walked to the next room, where, with
q glass Of whiskey, he sought to STEADY
his jangling nerves.
lima, seeing the coast clear and
possessed Of the secret OF the murder,
her heart beating fast with the knowl-
edge that at last she had Stayne's
pearl as good as won. started up the
stairs.
A hand reaching through the bal
ustrade clutched her ankle. She sti-
ned q scream and, casing down, saw
Q note being left as the hand was with
drawn. The white Of the paper shone
in the semi-darkness. lima, bending
swiftly and holding the paper close TO
her eyes was able to read:
Leave this house while you may
alive. KISAET!"
She hesitated. Here was q warning
from the individual Will had returned
the two pearls. Il was not TO pc ig-
nored. Still she could not make up
her mind to give over the enterprise
before completing II in fun. But she
desisted from ascending the Stairs,
and, making her way back, stopped
by the partially opened library door
TO watch the actions OF Perry Mason
LOOKS At PEARL.
That gentleman lit a cigarette and
then produced the pearl he had nlched
from Stayne. He looked at 1t lovingly
and turned It round and round-evi-
IDENTIFY he was fully aware OF Its
unique value. Then his eyes roamed
around the room, seeking for q place
to deposit the Jewel where 1t would be
safe.
aAh!' he spoke aloud, "who would
think Of looking In that big VaeeF
He walked to the mantel, deposited
the pearl in the bottom OF the jar ano
then fumbling for q match discovereo
that his box was empty ana LETT the
room to secure one.
slipped into the library. She neared
| the vase, her hand sought the bottom
| The pearl was in her fingers. With
glow OF exultation she let IL lie on her
| palm and then, with q sigh Of RELIEF,
started for the door
Then and only then she saw Perry
Mason watching her cynically from
the threshold between the library and
the dining room.
young woman, stand still" He
| covered her with a revolver and
| marched ner TO the oc1h IN INC AoAs
room. Now explain yourself.
lima surveyed him, at loss what
excuse to give.
Its too bad to have q pretty girl
like you arrested" said Perry Mason.
reflectively, regarding her with the
eye of desire. Come, I'll make bar
gain with you. You are free Il
"Oh, thank you!" cried the relieved
lima, backing away.
Mason advanced. I'm afraid you
don't quite understand" he said.
Lets seal the little bargain with q
kiss. What do you say7"
For answer. lima struck him In the
face-a smashing blow that set his
head Keeling. A blind anger seized
him. He picked up the heavy fire
tonges and struck at her.
From the other room came the but.
Ter. He rushed between them and
pushed lima out OF danger.
Telephone for the police" demand
ed Mason. "This woman Is a thief.
/ caught her" The butler moved to
the telephone.
Terrified. lima called on him to
wait.
"If you dare telephone" she said,
her eyes flashing, IL will proclaim
you the murderer you are-1 know
your story-all OF It."
Perry Mason recoiled. Then he
called to the negro: Seize her! Well
| saftIa fhis account in our own WAY"