The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-03-16

bhfh OF IL Nefs TWO tlHJ Hfplfs
sions. Al the bottom OF each de.
preston lay drop OF bright red
liquid.
That liquid. gentlemen" he said
In his smooth voice. 'ls tho most
powerful poison ever distilled by
man. It's distlllatlon was supposed
To be ono OF tho lost arts, but he
recret was discovered by this man
/ Crochard. Now, NJ. slmmon." he
continued briskly. III You will have
the kindness TO hold the drawer for
moment In this position. ! viii
draw the s~rpent's fangs. There is
not the slightest danger" he added,
seeing that Simmonds very natural
/ ~ heAitnted.
Thus assured. Gimmonds grasped
the handle OF the drawer, and held
Il open. while the Frenchman took
from his pocket tiny flask Of crys.
tai.
"a little farther" he said: and
aa Simmonda drew the drawer out
TO its full length. a tiny. twotined
prong pushed itself forward There
are tho fangs." said ". Pigot lie
held tho mouth OF the flask under
first ono and then the Other. pass
Ing his other hanl carefully behind
and above them, The poison *
held In place by what ws In French
call attraction capillaue--l do not
know the English; but | drive Il
out by Introducing the air behind
it-ah. YOU sect"
He stood erect and held the flask
~ to tho light. II was half full
OF the rel liquid
And now. gentlemen" he contin-
ued. 1T shall be my pleasure 10 dis
play before you some very beautiful
brilliantg."
Not until that instant had
| thought Of what the drawer con
tained: ! had been too fascinated
! b. the poisoned fangs but now
perceived that the drawer WAS
filled with little rolls OF cotton.
NJ. Pigot removed the fret OF
these, uuroiled II and spread II out
upon the dcEk, and instantly we
caught tho glitter of diamonds
diamonds so large that I drew Il
deep breath OF admiration. Even
NJ Pigot. evidently as he prlded
himself upon his imperturbabllity.
could not look upon these gems
wholly unmoyed: slow color crept
into his cheeks and he picked ~
ono or two OF the larger ones 10
admire them more closely Then
/ he nnfolded roll after roll. stopping
from time 10 time for 4 look az the
larger brilliauts.
There's only ono thing 10 do
said Grady. and that's TO get them
in a safe-depoSit box as quick as
possible.
Can We find box Of safe-deposit
at this hour OF the nlght7" ASKED
II. Pigot. giancing a; his watch.
That's easy In New York" said
Grady. lie went out and came
back presently with a small vallse.
This will do" he said. STOW
'cm away. and III call ur the bank
and arrange for the box"
simmonds and Pigot rolled up
the packets carefully and placed
them in the yalise.
There they are said Sim
monds. and closed the bag with a
snap. as Grady came In again.
I've arranged for the box" said
Grady. land one OF our wagons Is
at the door. Simmonds. you go
along with Moosseer Plggott. and
put an extra man on the seat With
the driver"
4 thank you. sir" replied NJ.
plgot. Eravcly An reYoir. mon.
sieur." and with a bow 10 me, he
followed simmonds into the outer
room.
Grady sat down and got out
fresh cigar. lie had just got II 10
burning nicely when Godfrey burst
In upon us.
He cast a rapid glance NJ the
Boule cabinet, M the secret drawer
standing open. empty; and then his
eyes rested upon Grady.
so he got away with Il. did
hef" he inquired.
What do you mean BY thats"