The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-06-27

spehs Jacques nat silently nstsntns
stoically to all she aejd.
"Givs me up, II you like, Miss Pat"
he finally mumbled. II guess can
stand prison term II you insist"
'But don't insist" Pat chimed In.
And then she made to Jacques an as
tonishing proposition. The crafty
Frenchman's eyes fairly snapped as
end a compact was formed between
this beautiful girl and the crime-hard-
ened Apache that was destined to set
Paris agog, lead the police a merry
chase and. most OF oil, to involve Pat
and Sphinx Kelly in many adventures.
you must make me queen Of the
Apaches," Pat demanded. from the
proceeds Of our work will take only
a percentage for charity-that is all I
am going to work for; that is all I
shall demand. My position In society
will protect me and your influence with
the Apaches will do the rest. Keep
this bargain and your reward will be
abundant; betray me and will turn
you over to the authorities"
Patricia Montez and Jacques then
shook hands, binding their strange
compact. And to each, the word of the
other was all-suficient.
"You and will start working to-
gether tonight. The Cafe Chic will be
a good test Of our skill as n begin
ming" And Jacques promised that he
would be at the Cafe Chic. prepared to
do the bidding Of his leader.
Old Jakobski drove q hard bargain
and devoted his attention to getting
rich at any deal where he could turn a
banknote. He bought art subjects
from struggling students. forged Sig
natures to them and sold to gullible
buyers the cheap works at extraordi-
nary sums. He dealt in Jewels. made
loans and conducted 4 general business
in securities.
his vanity made him anxious to be
seen in public places, and to be pointed
out as ''the rich Mr.. Jakobski''-and
Cafe Chic was one Of his favorite
haunts. Pat noticed him when she en-
tered with her aunt and took a table
near the wealthy broker.
There's Jakobski now" Pat whis-
pered to Mrs. Van Nuys. "Tm glad
he has not seen us"-and as Pat looked
toward Jakobsk's table she saw him
draw from his pocket string Of beau.
tiful pearls.
"Just look. auntie, dear" Pat whis-
pered. "That string of pearls would
alone give us money in plenty for char
ity." And the girl continued to watch
closely as Jakobski fondled and dis
played the pearls to his companion,
with the evident purpose Of effecting
a sale.
1t was a few moments later that
Sphinx Kelly entered the Cafe Chic
and looked over the crowd. passing
carelessly down the aisles, in a man
ner to attract as little attention to
himself, n possible. But Pats quick
eyes discovered him before he had
been In the spacious cafe many mo-
ments.
there's the Sphinx. auntie," said
the girl. indicating by q glance the d.
rection in which Mrs. Van Mugs might
look to find the man who had returned
her Jewels.
And there was one among the wait.
ers who Pat knew was Jacques.
The brilliantly lighted cafe was q
scene Of revelry. The space cleared
for dancing was filled with nashily
dressed denixens Of the Partisan cafes.
The bands played. walters scurried
here and there flling orders, and the
scene was altogether one of gayety
typical of night life In the brilliant
city.
When Pat raised her handkerchief to
her lips Jacques saw her signal and
was soon standing behind her chair.
Instantly he caught Pats instructions
Ito watch and walt his chance to get
the pearls that Jakobski was still, in
his great vanity. displaying to his COM
panion. The two men were interested
~ talking, evidently about the pearls.
Jacques moved away. He had ar
ranged that another Apache should be
near to respond to signals, and in q
few moments the plotters had made
their plans. While the band was play
ing, the guests were dancing and the
scene of revehy was gayest, the cleo
trfc lights were suddenly thrown of
and the place was thrown into dark.
ness.
There was great confusion. and in an
instant the Cafe Chic was in an uproar.
Sphinx Kelly had seen the Apache ap-
proach the switchboard that controlled
the lights, but was too far away to in
tercept the move, and when, in an in
credible short space OF time, the lights
again flashed up, Jakobski was lying
prone upon the table. his head resting
on his forearm and his companion
his alarm.