The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-03-23
SIXTH EPISODE
The Queens Necklace.

Cracking flames were devOurIng the
Itinderlike superstructure Of the air
|plane, before 1t had fairly landed In
the tree-top. The terrifying position
they were in, compelled the three pas
sengers to act with extreme prompt
ness to save their lives. Phil Kelly,
who had been stunned by the blow
that knocked him onto one Of the
wings Of the machine just as 1t began
its ascent, was now regaining con-
sciOusneSs.
Pat hauled the Sphinx from his re-
cumbent position on the burning wing
Of the airplane. Then she clambered
into the branches of the tree herself.
The girl crawled down to the low
est branches and jumped to the ground.
Kelly followed. her, and there imme-
diately appeared upon the scene a
group of excited and astonished farm
ers who had been attracted to the
scene by the brilliantly burning air
plane. Willing hands assisted the
girl into nearby house, while others
carried the partly unconscious detec-
tive into another farmers home.
Pat soon recovered her composure
and aside from a few scratches that
would soon be forgotten, discovered
that she had escaped miraculously
from a terrible death. Then, rejoicing
in her good fortune, the girl left the
friendly shelter her good samaritans
had provided and made her way, in
the early dawn, to the hangar where
her automobile was waiting.
When Kelly had collected his senses
and started to investigate. he found,
in the room where Pat had been shell
tered, only one sign that she had ever
been there. On the sofa was purple
mask.
''Fooled again, and by this slip of
girl" Kelly said to himself as he
started back toward Paris, walking
to the nearest railroad station. That
morning safely at home, Patricia re-
called her aunt with an incomplete
version of her adventure.
But it was several weeks before Pat
again entered contest Of wits with
the Sphinx.
However, unknown to the beautiful
Patricia there were certain conspir-
ing elements at work that would soon
bring her into activity-that would
give her chance to exercise her char
liable instincts and do something In
the interest Of the oppressed. Pats
fov ho
fines Of Paris. She was becoming
known, among certain classes, through
out Europe.
In the principally of Dufrane there
wecS certain conspiracies fomenting
King Fergus had aroused the enmity
of his people, by appropriating fol
himself necklace Of great value that
his queen, upon her death a few
months before, had bequeathed to &
fund she intended should be used t.
relieve the distress of the poor.
These were the outward conditions
when there came one morning to Phi
Kelly a message from King Fergus tt
appear at once at his palace. Taking
with him his two most trusted assis
tants, the Sphinx set out Immediately
for Dufrane. King Fergus had de
tailed his son, Prince Angus, to NEE
the famous detective and have hin
brought at once to the council cham
Der In the palace.
II have come, sir, at your command,
said Sphinx Kelly when he was ush
cred into the presence of the king
What are your further orders?"
The king fixed his steel-gray eye.
upon the famous detective and said:
''The life of my dynasty is threat
ened. The people are conspirini
against me, and l want you to fathon
the plot and report to me your find
ings. Prince Angus, who has brough
you here, will give you the full de
tails" Then the king indicated tina
the audience was at an end and Kelly
accompanied by Prince Angus, re
paired to another room in the pal
ace.
Prince Angus proceeded to Impair
the details of the plot against the king