Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-06-08
The Curse|
of QuetZal|
By J. u. GiESY 4 J. B. SMITH )
Authors OF Semi Dual Stories Z
Copyright,
The Frank A. Munsey Co. Z

UsDorne shook his head. There's
youi attempted alibi." he remarked.
God its all checking out"
Heffy reached into a pocket in a
manner entirely suggestive. could
imagine what ne was after. Well,
reckon its my cue. amt it, he
questioned.
Dual glanced briefly in his diree'
ton. FIRST search this room" he
stid.
"SeDOr,' Laredo protested. this IS
an outrage, You accuse. You allow
no iefutaI,on. You order search OF
my room You transcend all bounds
Of endurance shalt appeal 10 my
national representatives in this mat
ter
GO ON an appeal" snarled Heffy.
Il kin get done wild dis coop before
= YOU sit AN answer" He rose heavily
rom his seat and glanced slowly
about the apartment. as though seek
iny point to begin II was an ordl-
nary bedroom with bath. After
moment Heffy walked over and dis
appeared into the latter.
But saw" broke out Dayton, you
wouldn't think chap would hide the
things in his bedroom. You'd think
-"
What YOU were ,Spet ed to thinE,
Mr. layton OF every other place.
Therefore, Tie bedroom. Senior La
redo is a man of no mean intelligence
IN material matters He would have
been successful in this, save tor I'M.
foreseen and unforeseeable conditions
which arose TO confront him. You
must admit his remarkable finesse
and control, in that throughout our
entire association he aroused no sus.
picion in the minds OF any of yOu.
Yet his position was one of the most
trying said Dual.
Quite Unexpectedly. Laredo rose.
He bowed. "Senor, value the com
piiment of your words" He laid a
hand on his heart. 1T is TOO bad we
should oppose one another"
Indeed yes said Semi. Il am
grieved always TO see a good mind dc.
voted to objects unworthy. 1t is such
needless waste of God given power
And leads 10 only ruin in the end"
Mine, OF course, In this natter
the Mexican suggested.
"Yours. Senior Laredo"
"But. no, senior. Admit that your
deductions are clever-that they ap.
pear true. How prove them true.
senior, without the emerald and the
image. which none of us have seen?
l. as | told you'll have heard stories
of this stone. Are stories proof that
II exists"
dayton has seen it," said Semi,
calmly.
"Ah, yes-I forgot! Then il does
exist. But unless found could you
prove me guilty of what you accuse
In a court of law"
mo
"rhen" Laredo paused Md
smiled ihinlv
"Heffy is seeking II now" 1A:d
DUAL.
"Ah, yes. Heffy--" Again La.
redo smiled.
] ielt sudden desire to chuckle.
Gripping az the situation was. could
Not help it. The Mexican's sang.
froid was splendid, and he had said so
mich in the one word "Heffy" It
WAS an expression Of absolute con.
tempt.
threw my eyes toward the bath.
room, from which various sounds ad.
vertised the hotel detectives search.
There was scIapiny Of feet, grunt.
ing, as he doubtless stopped to peer
here and there; the sound of water
running as he possibly tested the
pipes And then he appeared, sha-
king his head to show Us clearly that
his search had been vain.
But be was on the trail, and had no
notion desisting.
As by a common accord, we all fell
silent and watched his effort. With
out pause he attacked dresser and
drew out us drawers He took them
clear out and poked into the space be-
hind them. Without ceremony he
dumped their contents on the floor
and replaced 1t bit by bit in order to
overlook nothing.
In the end he got down and looked
under the dresser itself.
Next he attacked the pictures on
the wall, looking behind them! and