Manchester Democrat., 1919-09-24
CHAPTER Xxx.

CHAPTER IN.
The First Wayfarer Has One Treasure
Thrust Upon Him-And FORTHWITH
Claims Another.
"What are you doing here?" de
manded Barnes, staring. He seized
the mans arm and inquired eagerly
.Have you got the jewels?"
ANo; but I will have them before
morning." replied SprOuse coolly
AWould you be surprised II ! were tc
tell you that his royal nibs Is hiding
In this town? Well. he certainly Is
The Baroness Hedlund has been here
for q week or ten days. She goes by
( the name Of Mrs. Hasselwein. I popped
down here this afternoon and found
out that she Is at the sanatorium, but
that she expects to leave tomorrow
morning. made another trip out there
this evening and waited. About eight
O'Clock Mr. Hasselwein srrolled up. He
sat on the veranda with her for hall
an hour or 50 and then left. ! fol.
lowed him. He went to one Of the
little cottages that belong to the sana-
torium. couldn't get close enough to
hear what they said, but I believe he
expects to take her away in an auto
mobile early in the morning. It Is a
seventy-mile ride from here to the
junction where they catch the train
for the West. I'm going up now to
make call on Mr.. Hasselwein. By
the way. what Is the number Of your
room7''
"Twenty-two-on the next floor
AGood. Go upstairs now and I'll Join
you In about ten minutes. will tap
three times on your door"
"Why should you come to my room.
Sprousei We can say all that Is to be
said"
IF you will look on the register you
will discover that Mr.. J. 81. Prosser
registered here about half an hour
ago. He 10 in room 80. he left call
for nye O'Clock. Well. Prosser Is an
other name for Ugo. He left the cot
tage IN hour ago. Came In jitney or
could have got to him on the way
over"
Barnes. regardless Of consequences,
dashed over to inspect the register.
Sprouss followed leisurely.
"See!" cried Barnes. excitedly, put
ting his finger on the name Miss
Jones'" aShe's In room S2-next to
his. BY gad. Sprouse, do you suppose
he knows that she Is herel Would the
dog undertake anything
.You may be sure he dosen't know
she's here. or you either. for that mat
ter. The country's full Of Joneses and
Harnesses. Go on upstairs. Leave
everything to me"
Barnes had been IN his room for
twenty minutes before he heard the
tapping on his door. He opened It and
SprOuse slid into the room. The In
slant the door closed behind him. he
threw open his coat and coolly pro-
duced ! long. shallow metal box such
q one finds In safety vaults.
with my compliments. he said
dryly, thrusting the box into Barnes
hands. you'd better have the c0un-
tess check them mp and see II they're
al there. ] am not well enough ac-
quainted with the collection to be
positive"
Barnes was speechless. he could
only stare. open-mouthed. at this
amazing man.
1My God, Sprouse. have ycu been
In that mans room since I saw you
down"
4 "All you have to do IL to keep quiet
and look innocent. Stay out Of the hall
tonight. Don't 90 near the door OF
No. 80. Act like man with brains.
said / would square myself with you
and with him, too. Well, I've done
both. Maybe you think 1t Is easy to
give up this stun. There ID q haif-mil-
lion dollars worth Of nice little things
In that box. small as 1t is."
III cannot begin to thank you
enough" said Barnes. "See here, you
must allow me to reward you In some
way commensurate with your
"Cut that out" said SprOuse darkly.
"Tm not SO virtuous that have to be
rewarded. / like the game. It's the
breath of life to me-"
'The time will surely come when l
can do you good turn, Sprouse. and
you will not find me reluctant" said
Barnes, lamely.