Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-10-18
CHAPTER XVI.
The First Wayfarer Visits a Shrine,
Confesses. and Takes an Oath.

Confesses, and Takes an Oath.
How was he to find the courage to
impart the appalling news to herr He
was now convinced beyond all doubt
that the so-called Sprouse had made
off with the priceless treasure and
that only a miracle could bring about
its recovery. He realized to what ex-
tent he had been shaped into tool to
be used by the master craftsman. he
saw through the whole Machiavellian
scheme, and he was also now NOR
ally certain that Sprouse would have
sacrificed him without the slightest
hesitation.
In the event that anything went
wrong with their enterprise, the man
would have shot him dead and earned
the gratitude and commentator Of his
associates! He would have been
glorifed and not crucified by his
friends.
With a heavy heart he mounted the
stairs. At the top he paused to DELHI
crate. Would it not be better to keep
her in ignorance2 What was to be
gained by revealing to her the But
Miss Thackeray was Turing him on to
destruction. She stood outside the door
and beckoned. Then she closed the door
from the outside, and Barnes was
alone with the cousin of kings and
queens and princes.
II feared you had deserted me-"
she said, holding out her hand to him
as he strobe across the room.
II saw no occasion to disturb your
rest" he mumbled.
II have been peeping," she said,
looking at him searchingSy. where
is Mr.. Loeb going, Mr.. Barnes?"
"ODowd says he is to be gone for a
few days on business" he equivocated.
'He win not return" she said quiet
ly. "He is a coward at heart. Oh, /
know him WELL" she went on, scorn in
her voice.
"Was wrong in not trying to stop
him?" he asked.
She pondered this for a moment.
mo" she said, but he caught the dubi-
GUS note in her voice. cit is just as
well, perhaps, that he should disap-
pear. His fight today spares-but we
are more interested in the man
Sprouse. Has he returnedT
mo, Miss Cameron" said he rue
fully. And then, without single res
ervation, he laid bare the story of
Sprouse's detection. When he inquired
If she had heard Of the man known as
Chester Naismith, she confirmed his
worst fear by describing him as the
guard who watched beneath her win.
dow. He was known to her as thief
Of international fame.
''You were no match for Chester
Naismith. Do not look so glum. The
shrewdest police officers in Europe
have never been able to cope with
him. Why should you despair"
He sprang to his feet. "By CAD, hi
hasn't got away with it yet" hs
grated. Il win run this scoundrel dowH
if have to devote the remainder Of
my life to the task"
| She sighed "Alas, fear that
shall have to tell you a little mOrl
about this wonderful man you know
as Sprouse. Six months ago tn,
friends and supporters Of tire legiti
mate successor to my country's thron
consummated plan whereby TIL
crown jewels and certain document
Of state were surreptitiously removes
from the palace vaults Instead Of dc
posting the treasure in Paris, It wa
sent to this country In charge OF
group Of men whose fealty could no
be questioned. The man You know a
Loeb Is Ia reality my cousin. I hav
known him all my life. He Is n
youngest brother Of the pretender {
j the throne, and a cousin OF the primo
who Is held prisoner BY the Austrian
This prince has brother also. and
was to him that ! was supposed to d.
liver the Jewels Travelled from Nel
York. but not alone as you mny SUI
] pect. ! was carefully protected frol
the time ] left nay hotel there until
E wei. until I arrived ia Boston.
While there resolved seer.
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