The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-07-25
SIXTH EPISODE
The Queens Necklace.

tinderlike superstructure of the air
plane. before 1t had fairly landed In
the tree-top. The terrifying position
they were In, compelled the three pas
sengers to act with extreme prompt
ness to save their lives. Phil Kelly.
who had been stunned by the blow
w1ngs Of the machine just as 1t began
its ascent, was now regaining con-
oc1oumess.
Pat hauled the Sphinx from his re-
cumbent position ON the burning wing
Of the airplane. Then she clambered
Into the branches Of the tree herself.
The girl cfawled down to the low
est branches and Jumped to the ground.
Kelly followed her. and there imme-
diately appeared upon the scene q
group Of excited and astonished farm
efs who had been attracted to the
scene BY the brilliantly burning air
plane. Willing hands assisted the
giFi into Q nearby house, while others
carried the partly unconscious detec-
uvs Into another turner's home.
Pat soon recovered her composure
and asids from . few scratches that
would soon be forgotten, discovered
that she had escaped miraculously
from terrible death. Then. rejoicing
In her good fortune, the girl left the
friendly shelter her good samaritans
had provided and made her way, In
'the early dawn. to the hangar where
her automobile was waiting.
When Kelly had collected his senses
and started to investigate. he found,
In the room where Pat had been shell
tered, only one sign that she had ever
been there. On tie sofa was q purple
ma1k
Fooled again, and by this slip Of
4 GIRL" Kelly said to himself as he
started back toward Paris, walking
to the nearest railroad station. That
morning safely at home. Patricia re-
called her aunt with an incomplete
version Of her adventure.
But It was several weeks before Pat
again entered a contest of wits with
the Sphinx.
However. unknown to the beautiful
Patricia, there were certain conspir-
ing elements mt work that would soon
bring her into activity-that would
give her a chance to exercise her char
liable instincts and do something in
the interest Of the oppressed. Pats
fame had extended beyond the con-
fines of Paris. She was becoming
known. among certain classes, through
out Europe.
In the principality Of Dufrane there
were certain conspiracies fomenting.
King Fergus had aroused the enmity
OF his people, by appropriating for
himself a necklace of great value that
his queen. upon her death a few
months before. had beQueathed to a
fund she intended should be used to
relieve the distress Of the poor.
These were the outward conditions
when there came one morning to Phil
Kelly a message from King Fergus to
appear at once at his palace. Taking
with him his two most trusted assis-
tAnts, the Sphinx set out Immediately
for Dufrane. King Fergus had de-
tailed his son. Prince Angus, to meet
the famous detective and have him
brought ut once to the council cham
Der in the palace.
nave come, 6f, at your cOmmanO,
said Sphinx Kelly when he was ush-
cred into the presence of the king.
"What are your further ordersf"
The king fixed his steel-gray eyes
upon the famous detective and said:
~Tne Efc OF my dynasty Is threat
ened The people are conspiring
against me. and / want you to fathom
the vlof and roporf IN ma Y0ur flnd-
ings. Prince Angus, who has brought
you here. will give you the full de-
tAils." Then the king indicated that
the audience was at an end and Kelly,
accompanied BY Prince Angus, re-
paired to another room in the pal
ace.
Prince Angus proceeded to impart
shs details Of the plot against the king.