The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-07-25
the most beautiful mystery in all Para

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rare beauty made her the object Of un-
disguised admiration.
Pat went straight to the meeting
place Of the Peoples league.
Il am going to the king" she said.
''fn your behalf, and to do the work
you expect Of me. Let there be no
trouble until speak to you again
from this platform. / make no prom
ise, but believe that when you next
hear the sound of my voice in this hall
that can tell you the queens behests
have been fulfilled"
There were wild shouts and thunder
GUS applause.
When Pat again called at the palace
she went in the name of the Peoples
league. She demanded that the king
should give her an audience. She was
ushered into the room where she had
conversed with Duke Hestor, and told
to await the kings decision.
To divert suspicion, Pat moved
about the room as If in curiosity, ex-
amining the paintings and decorations
on the wall. She knew that her
chance might come at any moment,
and keeping sharp watch on every
door, she gradually worked her way
to where the secret panel was hidden
in the wall.
In her hand the girl carried small
bag, such as women often have with
them on shopping trips.
Deity she pushed the heart of the
rose. The panel slid back and as she
gazed stealthily into the half-dark-
ened room she discovered that there
was not a soul to be seen. She decid-
ed quickly, her opportunity was at
hand.
She ran swiftly across the room and
pulled the draperies aside. In another
instant she had begun to turn the COM
bination, listening with her ear close
to the lock as the tumblers moved into
place.
When she had completed the speci-
fed number of revolutions. and
stopped the combination on the final
number, she was able to turn the knob
at the first attempt. @-l.l
There was a massive Jewel box
standing on small table in the center
Of the closet-like room. and taking a
chance on getting what she was after,
Pat emptfed the contents of the box
into her handbag. She watched string
after string of pearls and gems fow
into the leather bag.
As Pat made her exit from the vault
she realized to her dismay that she
was not now alone in the kings IL
brary. As she dropped the drapery
over the door to the strong room. she
saw approaching the king himself.
'They told me to wait for you here"
said the girl without a culver Of an
eyelash or hesitating an instant. II
have been amusing myself looking
around, your mxJesty."
Before the king could question her.
Duke Hestor entered and gaxed in as
.tonishment at the girl here in the pres
ence Of the king. At the sight Of the
duke the girl made clumsy move and,
al II by accident. dropped her bag
upon the floor. Duke Hestor picked It
up and politely offered to restore It
to her.
"Tn' thank you to hold the bag for
me few moments, while I speak to
the king" said Pat, smiling her pref
test at the two representatives of roy
atty.
"Tell the young person." said the
king, addPeaQipg himself to Duke Hes
tor, that she cannot talk to me unless
make the appointment. Then see
that she Is ushered from the palace"
The duke bowed low, and Pat made
courtesy. Then, instantly the girl
took the dukes arm and urged him to
lead her from the room. This done,
and they were once outside of the pal
ace. Pat snatched the bag from the
dukes hand and fled rapidly up the
avenue.
MY word, but she is peculiar crea-
ture," said the duke half aloud as II to
himself, while he, watched Pat disap-
pear around the first turning of the
street. And smiling grimly, continued:
Il wonder If she has the jewels in that
bag"
Meanwhile Kelly had again called
upon the king, at his command, enter
ing the palace by different way, Mt
the instant Pat was hurrying of with
the queens jewels safely in her hand
bag. As Kelly entered the kings pres
ence, the ruler was fairly exploding In
towering rage.
1.-The jewels are gone. 1 just dis
covered 1t. That woman leader has
made fool of the king of Dufrane,"
cried the monarch in walls of anger.
"Yes, and she's fooled the Sphinx"
Kelly muttered to himself
Rousing the guard, the Sphinx made
IN effort to apprehend the girl, but
was, Of course, too late. Even while
the king and his household were in
commotion Pat had sold the Jewels to
the banker, who was waiting, ready
to pass over the money, and within the
hour she had enriched the treasury Of