The Washington times., 1918-04-15
Part One-(Continued)


aEErieved thereby.
It seemed to htm that he had in
some way established a monopoly Of
the useful, information which Lii
lIan had acquired respecting the
shortcomings of certain rich and
influential people. and that these
people were to be exploited by him
alone and for his own advantage.
He looked at Moncrief with sus-
picion as a poacher upon his pre-
serves.
81 hoped TO see the signora
alone" he said, insinuatingly.
"I asked Mr.. Moncrief here to
meet you, Pietro." said Lillian. The
fact is that he has suggested a way
by which there is good money TO be
made-and we are all in need OF II.
We thought that you might possi-
bly, find time before going to Sa-
Ierno to join in the scheme. What
do you say?"
"Certo." replied the Italian. IF the
scheme is one which is possible for
me-" His dark eyes sparkled greed
ily. 81 have always time il there is
money to be made. Explain this
scheme"
They Explain Their scheme.
'Mr. Moncrief tells me-" said Lii
Han slowly. that the present ar
rangement, at Adderly are likely to
be brought to a close"
"The police?" echoed Pietro,
sharply.
Possibly. All the more reason.
Pietro, why we must act quickly If
we act at all. There are many
things in connection with Adderly
Of which never spoke to you; this
Is one OF them. You had your defi-
mite duties down there, and this
matter was outside your province.
Now I will tell you about IL in
few words. There is a large sum OF
money concealed in Adderly vault,
need not tell you how IL got there.
II is : matter of many years ago.
The money naturally belongs TO the
Borradales, but they are not likely
TO claim IT, even II they know of its
existence. It Is a thousand pities
that such q sum should be left in a
tomb when one might get II with a
little exertion, don't you think so?"
"But," said the Italian, a little
doubtfully, you know all this long
ago-and yet" 1t was hardly
possible for him to appreciate the
possibility of anybody with such
knowledge not acting upon it imme-
,diately to their own advantage.
81 had no need of the money
then" returned Lillian hastily. Be
sides. I would not have done any
thing to Mrs. Barradale's detriment
It's different now. Affairs at Adder
ly have changed. and while l was
~ 81 In I
been robbed OF all 1 possess"
"WhRt 1 Gotta DOT" He Asked.
"AlI this money-how can we get
it?"
''It will take the two of you. That
is why Mr.. Moncrief is here. 1t was
he suggested the project to me.
shall not go with you. for I am
weary and utterly done up You
and Moncrief must do the work He.
will explain to you exactly what has
TO be done"
TELL me what has to be done"
hOncrief interposed here mo, Mr.
Renni," he said easily. Its not
likely that we are going to give you
details until you have consented to
act with Us But l can tell you at
once that you couldn't get it by
yourself. Stand in with US and we
divide equally; let II alone, and III
find some one else. But make up
your mind quickly"
Pietro's cupidity was aroused.
His recent experiences in acting
upon Lillian's suggestions had been
so successful that he argued a sim
liar result in the present case Had
he not been so greedy he might
have considered that the cirCum-
stances were different; Lillian was
acting then under cOmpulsiOn, now
she could have no particular rea-
son for wishing to stiII further en-
rich her late jailer. she wants
money" he argued with himself,
"and she knows that ! am the best
worker at this sort Of game" Al
ready he was ponderinE how II
would be possible to turn tho
scheme, when II was expounded to
him, TO his sole advantage.
PietrO Joins In the Scheme.
Il will join you" he said "I
had intended to start for Italy to-
morrow-after seeing Senator Ep-
stone this afternoon-but now I
walt another day-or longer II
necessary"
There need be no delay" said
Goncrief. We will go 10 Adderly
TITS afternoon, and the job can
be done tonight. Tomorrow morn
ing we will divide up the stuff"
How much Is there?" Pictro's
eyes twinkled
II don't know. There's a box.
and IL Is full Of notes and gold
Jewels, too" Lillian was speaking,
and in her eyes. also. there was a
strange glitter. Pietro. seeing II,
attributed It to the lust Of gold:
he did not realize how she looked
at'him, nor how much Of hatred
and desired revenge there was In
her glance.
Their Plans Are Settled.
So the three drew their chairs
together and talked. 1t was a long
while before their plans were defi-
nitely settled, and the afternoon
was well advance when MoEcrief
and Pietro took their departure.
Left alone, Lillian threw herself
back in the most luxurious chair
in her boudoir. reveling in It's COM
fort. Tomorrow one Of two things
would happen, so she told herself
Either Moncrief and Pietro would
return with money-plenty OF 1t
money, too, fthat no one would
claim, and concerning which there
could be no fHss, or Moncrief would
return alone, and instead OF money
nhe would have had revenge.
Almost she wished that the lat