The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-07-04
THIRD EPISODE
The Capture.

.Spnln4 nelly natteQ 0Droptly ut MfS.
Van Nuys' tnble. still toying with the
handouts. Pat sat breathless for an
instant. looking Kelly square In the
eye. 81 I.
VERY dramatic. Mr.. Kelly" Pat
Anally said, with a sarcastic smile.
'You seem to want everyone In the
place to know that you are q detec-
tive. or somebody trying to show on"
Kelly's face flushed hotly. He was
on the point of making q sharp retort,
but his better Judgment mastered his
impulse to rudeness. Without word
he returned the hnndcuffs to his pock-
ct. stood looking for a second. straight
into the defiant eyes Of the beautiful
girl and then walked away.
Fastening to the main entrance,
Kelly posted one Of his assistants at
the door and demanded:
'See that no one leaves the place un-
til everybody has been searched"
Then the Sphinx returned to ia
kobski's table.
The old money-shark had only been
stunned by the blow that suddenly
fell upon his head rs the lights In the
Cafe Chic were snapped on at the
switchboard.
.Do you know II 1t was q man or a
woman who struck you," Kelly asked
the still befuddled Jnkobski.
"Oh, 1t was man-nnd q strong
man, too." was Jakobski's retort, as he
rubbed the lump that had been raised
upon the back of his head where the
blow had fallen.
Kelly instructed the walters and at
tendants in the Cafe Chic that every
guest in the room must be searched,
and under direction of the Sphinx, the
work of investigation rapidly proceed
ed While Pat and Mrs. Van Nuys
were Whiting in the ladies' retiring
room to be searched by the girl at
tendants, Kelly stood near the por-
tieres that formed a protecting screen
separating the main cafe from the en-
trance to the ladies' room.
So, Intent was Kelly In supervising
the search TINT he failed to notice a
smnll. white hand. us 1t projected from
behind the portieres. There was an
ipstantaneous flash of cleaning
pearls, set with diamonds. as they re-
fiected the brilliant light, then the
dainty hand quickly deposited its
precious burden in the outside breast
pocket of Kelly's coat.
,Spop Mrs. Van Nuys and Pat
emerged from the retiring room and
resumed their seat at the table. And
when everybody had been searched,
the dlsquietinS report came to Kelly,
from his assistants, that the Jakobski
pearls were still missing.
The bafYied detective was the object
Of derisiye jeers and much mocking
laughter from the merry throng his
actions had 30 unceremoniousiy incon-
venienced.
Kelly stood the haunting and com.
piaint for some time, and then, he
again approached Mrs. Van Nuys' Ia
BILE and said:
'1f you will take my advice. ladies,
insistnnce upon doing my duty. have
angered the crowd and they are apt to
start general disturbance Mt any mo-
n,ent. II you will allow me to escort
you home. my cab IL waiting outside.
and will feel honored II you will per
mit me to serve you"
The Sphinx was looking steadily at
Pat during the time he was speaking.
never glancing at Mrs. Van Nqys. The
g1A seemed conscious Of q genie glow
exer.crcad,ng he- cheeks. Che seemed
to note in Kelly's eyes a CLEAN she
had never seen there before.
ave had better accept Mr.. Kelly's
offer. auntie dear." said Pat, when the
SPHINX had finished speaking. 1--WE
have had excitement enough for one
evening. I'm thinking"
Mrs. Van Nuys agreed, and the trio
moved to the door and made their exit
amid an uproar OF jeers and cat-calls
directed. Of course. at the bafned and
humlliatcd sleuth.
When Kelly seated himself between
Patricia and Mrs. Van Nuys, the girl
Was careful to place herself ON the sads