Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-23

der white throat.
John Grady. having finished telling
tho susceptible Harry just how he had
lost tho priceless necklaces, raised his
eyes and beheld a yelled female with
tho very gems OF which he spoke pos
ing Defore her mirror unconscious Of
everything save the seven pearls.
He seized the young man by the
arm There! THERE" no cried In n
voice whose emotion bore out tho as
sumed anguish OF his loss YOU SEQ
and Harry Drake. following the raised
finger. saw.
There is only ono way" said Grady.
Take this cane; 1t has a hooked ham
die. Let me raise you TO the sill. then
the moment she removes the pearls fish
them out. and one Is yours-a great
fortune" He trembled as he spoke.
Harry Drake. wet as no was, had a
fcllo" feeling for this man, whose loss
SO many timer exceeded his own.
win GradY's aid he managed 10
climb up toward tho window with
the agility OF trained youth he held fast
by one OF the bars and waited. lima
for she 1t was. took a final glance AT
her jewel-bcdecked throat. then, with
a sigh. laid the necklace on her dress
ing table.
She readjusted her veil and sank on
her bed. giving herself over to dreams
dreams of why the seven pearls had
happened TO be in the secret conpart-
ment, who put them there. who owned
them and FOR whom they were intended.
She was startled from her reverie by
seeing the curved cane handle creeping
toward the table like a living thing.
| For a moment she lost all thought of
the pearls. but Harry's motions were
rapid. Already the handle had hooked
Itself under the necklace. and 1t was
being Withdrawn, dangling toward the
window.
lima screamed and dashed forward
too late. The pearls already in tho
free nand OF the man, were swiftly
dropped into his pocket. She seized
his arm and pulled with all her
strength. crying for help. The young
man struggled. his strength began to
tell. In Il last frantic effort the girl
threw herself forward and with des-
peration sank her teeth in his whist.
Hurry. hurry called Grady.
Harry jerked himaelf ffee, dropped
lightly down and took to his heola fol-
lowed by the rejoicing Grady.
Mr.. Grady took good caro- not to lose
sight OF the fleeing Harry, and having
caught up with him escorted him to
hotel room, where several friends
were awaiting him. The advent Of a
stranger. and a dishcveled stranger at
that. caused surprise. Gentlemen"
said Grady. here is a new recruit. His
name is Harry Drake. He is an Amer
lean, like some of US. You were afraid
TO even get on the track OF the seven
pearls, but this young man has out
done you all. for he has the Sultan's
necklace In his pocket"
And Harry triumphantly pulled forth
the wonderful prize.
They gathered about to admire II:
there was no doubt OF its geruineness;
such pearls could not be initiated sue
ccssfully.
Grady held up the necklace. and
turned to Harry. II offered you one Of
these pearls My word is as good as
my bond-you shall have 1t. Let me
persuade you to join us. You Will
make the greatest crook of the outfit"
The color faded from the young
mans face. Crook"
Grady smiled. AN ugly word in
the common sense, but we are not com
mon crooks. Such work as this lifts
us into more refined fields. Again,
let me congratulate you"
Harry shrank back. Then tho neck
lace is not yours?"
1T is ours" said the genial Grady:
but IT was not ours. We have It now
by the right of possession. the best
: right in the world"
Give it back to me!' demanded the
young man. Let me return 1t or Ill
call the police"
Call the police" scored Grady; call
and then well strangle you with
bow string"
The men laughed. The young Amer
lean saw he was beaten. He backed
out, Inundated, distressed. uncertain
what to do. Further adventure he
had no heart for He stumbled along
to his hotel determined to take the
arst steamer out of the city oe mis-
fortune. and he looked at the printed
warning on his wall with a sad eye.
You VIM he said aloud.
The mysterious GRAND Of the three
cloaked figures over. they returned to
the house of Mustapha for the neck
lace. and the old soldier, going to the
compartment, thrust in his hand ~
bring forth the jewels. With a star.
Of terror he looked within. Save FOR d
lace veil the compartment was empty
His fright told more eloquently tnan
words that tho necklace was COMO.
The Vizier cast shrewd look ut his
master, for had he not suggested tho
hiding place. and the saturnine their
companion fondled his scimItar as
though to assure 1t of work ahead.
The Sultan's wrath blazed forth.
Mustapha Bey bent the knee. Take
my life King OF Kings. You saw me
put it there. l am TO blame"
a figure appeared at the portieres.
lima. her veil thrown back. burst terri
fled into the room only to halt at the
sight Of the strange guests
But there was no installing the pam
tomime. She knew with feminine IN
tuition that here was the owner of the
pearls. lost through her curiosity; tina,
before her stood the man before whom
the greatest in all Islam trembled.
Il took the pearls" her clear voice
rang out. Tears fingered in her even
like shining diamonds. The Sultan's
eyes frightened. He held up his hand
for silence; there was no mistakInY
the gesture; he turned to the exccu-
TONER.
ile Is not worthy to live; do your
duty"
The executioner raised the scimitar
over the neck OF the kneeling Mus
tapha, whirled the terrible blau.
through the air as though exultInE Pm
his dizziness. and was about to strike
the fatal blow when the young CIR,