Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-23
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BY J. U. GlEsY a.. 3. SMITH (
Authors of Semi-Dual Stories Z
Copyright. !
The Frank A. Munsey 60. Z

He told me several times that its
value was immense. but its sentimen-
tai value was ten times greater"
They could have overheard that"
Eyes"
"CIpldity is a dreadful thing Men
have killed to gain wealth or jewel
Men have. hired others to kill for
them, for the same purpose said
Dual. Abruptly he switched the sub
ject. Now this image YOU mention
ed handle by which you thought it
was held. Was the handle an actual
part of the bronze casting"
Just how do you mean" Dayton
inquired 1T seemed TO be-"
You don't know whether it was a
part of the figure or joined to it
Could It have been removed as a sepa.
rate part?"
Il don't know
81 once saw an Egyptian image Of
Bast.' Dual continued. something like
this idol you describe. That also had
handle, but it could be detached
How large was this idol?'
"About six inches long, without the
handle. That was perhaps three inch
rs long and as big around as my mid.
die finger"
"Wra ped Up It would have made
quite a parcel to conceal about one
commented llal. II wouh have. been
easily felt taroueh the clothing, One
desiring to steal it could have aseer-
tanned easily enough if it were upon
the person Of his victim before leading
him away"
"Senor." Laredo cut in. you are
clever. Can we doubt that if murder
has been done this is how it happen
ed"
Semi smiled as with pleasure, 1--WE
must see what the house detective
thinks OF the natter he replied. "a
light fingered hand could surely have
gained the information as have sug-
gested'
Quite right" exclaimed Dayton.
II remember now that the Indian
who came for the professor stood very
close to him while talking. especially
at the beginning. In fact Wingarde
stepped back bit right after the
first"
"Hah," said Laredo, now we are
getting at it, senores,"
IT'S been my idea from the first
that that chap was crooked" declared
Dayton
From now on we must seek not
for beliefs but for proof said Semi
Dual
II seemed the last word. Laredo said
nothing. Dayton sighed. | looked at
nv watch II was three O'Clock in the
morning.
Dayton had risen again and gone to
the edge of the porch to stand gazing
off into the night Abruptly he spoke,
lifted hand and pointed. There
They're coming back now! saw a
light"
Laredo and rose and stood staring,
BY and by dim point of radiance
flashed out OF the dark. 1t bobbed up
and down, and was followed in a mo.
ment by another. There could be no
doubt that The searchers we're return.
ing. And they moved slowly, at what
seemed like measured pace.
! glanced back toward Dual. He.
too, had risen and was standing. As
turned TO him he also shifted slight.
ly and looked into the lighted room at
our back
My eyes followed his glance. They
fell upon Evelyn Wingarde. She had
come half down the stairs from above
and stood tall and slender. a white
clad figure, crowned with a mass of
golden hair and white face, from
which her eyes were searching the
empty lobby
Her hand rested on the rail of The
stairs, and behind her | caught a
glimpse of Connie. holding her other
hand. and seemingly speaking TO her,
for all at once. as If in answer. the
girl shook her head in determined ne.
cation.
saw In moment how, unable TO
stand the suspense longer. she had
left her apartments and crept out to
gain some report If she could. And
out there In the night the lanterns
were coming closer. The best or the
worst was coming fast to her now.
Ny heart sweIIed.
shall I 60 M" Whispered to