The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-06-20
FIRST EPISODE
The Vanishing Jewels.

It is summer, and in old st. Cloud,
mecca Of the Partisan visitor and Of
Parisians, there is no spot SO gay and
beautiful as Pavilion Bleu.
at is lovely to be here" said the
wealthy Eleanor Van Nuys to the
youth who sat beside her on the
veranda, ''but it's not SO nice of Pat
to keep us waiting"
Only a half-human smile spread it.
self over the face Of the sallow-faced
youth as he managed to respond:
"She1l be along soon, I'm sure. Per-
lhaps she has stopped at Longchamps
for look at the paddock"
The lawn was brilliant with its gay
ly dressed throng moving about as the
music played or sitting at tables in the
pleasant afternoon shade. slipping
brandy or coffee ~ individual taste
should elect.
"Pat loves It here-but she's such
Q 'tomboy.' she shocks even these gay
Parisiennes sometimes" Mrs. Van
Euys resumed.
"And that would take bit Of do
Ing" responded the youth at her side.
Perhaps this Is the lively Pat, right
now" the young man continued. his
attention being attracted by an auto
mobile dashing up the gentle slope.
"Sure enough. 1t is she." Mrs. Van
Nuys declared. Her sallow-faced COM
panion rose from the table to greet the
vision of loveliness that fairly danced
toward them, waving her arms above
hnr oy1u In hA
joy Of the moment.
The 'tomboy' Mrs. Van Nuys had
referred to was her niece, Patricia
Aontez-called by her acquaintances
as well as her intimate friends, "Pat,"
because the shorter name seemed to
better flt her hoydenish nature. She
lived with her aunt, who had reared
her from childhood. with all the care
and tenderness a mother could lavish
upon her own daughter.
"Aunty, dear; at last I'm here"
cried Pat, with another gay laugh.
With the veranda crowded. Pat was
most radiantly beautiful OF all the
company Of fair Parisiennes and tour.
lists. si
Small wonder that the gaze Of every
imam In range was directed toward Mrs.
Van Nuys' table.
They stare 30 at me, aunty," the
girl protested in mock displeasure.
"And I don't blame them," the
youth at the table interrupted.
"Silly Maurice" said Pat, taunting-
ly. ~You are only half alive; how do
you known
But I have eyes-and they are all
for you"
"Be STILL" was Pats sharp fetort.
II came here to enjoy myself in my
own way, and not to listen to your
silly chatter"
sauntering toward their table Pat
observed a tall. dark. handsome chap.
His eyes moved quickly over the
assembled crowd, fixing themselves
only for an instant upon Pats pretty
face.
In that fash Of an eye. the man met
a coy and defiant glance from Pat
With coldness and Indifference that sent
the blood coursing to her pretty cheeks
in resentment. Flirtatious and frivo-
lous though she was, Pat kept within
bounds and always relied upon her
aunt as chaperon to keep away un-
welcome intruders.
This dark mans evident disdain net
tied the beauty. and Pat stamped her
dainty foot upon the floor of the veran-
da peevishly.
Maurice. II you must say something
to me. tell me who is that tall dark
man who has just turned away and
is moving toward the lawn?"
That's Phil Kelly" was his answer,
drawled indifferently for Pats informa-
ton.
That's very little news" said Pat.
Every little indeed, / should say"
chimed in Mrs. Van Nuys.
"well. then. he's Phil Kelly, the
Don't be so perverse. Maurice,
urged Pat.
"All right; listen, and I'll tell you
all. Phil Kelly, known as the Sphinx.
is one Of the cleverest detectives in
Paris-yes In all Europe. I've met
him, and have heard all about him
from many sources. He's devilish
clever and lives at Hotel des Am
bassadeurs. Now you know as much
rs do about your hero"
.'Phil Kelly, eh7" the girl kept re
peoting to herself, as II studying q
fanciful situation. AT last she said to
her companion:
Maurice, be good chap and in
troduce me to this wonderful sleuth.'
I'll do 1t. willingly. But 1 warn
you lie is a woman hater, and may
make short shift Of the Introduction
"Never mind me-" Pat said gayly
adding in self-praise. II never saw
the man yet who wouldn't be at least
civil to me, and don't think Sphinx