The Washington times., 1919-02-12

OF thieves the "A" Band, plots 10 GET
them They lease an adjoining apart
DeIOrms comes to see the jewels.
which have been offered As security
for the loan, and to the surprise Of the
cOInte and ht1 associates announces to
them that the safe supposed to con-
tain them IL empty. How does he
know-he has never been shown the
inside OF the safe? The "A" band decide
to force an entrance to the saie. Ac-
complIshing their purpose, they find
the vault empty OF jewels.
For an instant the two accom-
pIices listened an&iously. their ears
strained to hear any sound. But
their victims despairing cali had
not been noticed. They could work
in all safety.
Vainly the young man, in final
effort, tried to struggle. He could
not escape from his assailants. and
was quickly subdued.
The tussle was short. Half stirled,
he was pushed violently into :he
open safe. There was no interior
division, no compartment that could
prevent him from entering. 1t was
a steel coffin, whoes sides would
not even allow his cries to pass
The door was closed on him-
The comte turned the knobs. then
the key in the lock. and, having
replaced It in the drawer OF his
desk, from which he had taken 1t
a few minutes before. he sat down
in his armchair exclaimins:
"Ahr' -
Now" said Nam calmly, taki1g
a seat opposite. "the main thing IS
TO think the matter over; what do
YOU mean to dO?"
Il am thinking OF it," replied the
comte. AT any rate. for a ruined
business, it is certainly thoroughly
ruined!-And yet il was so we'll
planned" he went on in a tone Of
dull rage. What was that fools
idea in plunging into the midst
OF our speculation. like a dog into
a game OF nine-pins here Is
the million lost"
Perhaps he did not do it lnten-
tionally. That's the reason we need
not yet despair"
Nam?'
Let US reason a little. Remem-
Der, has that individual at any time
threatened US with the police? Has
he told US that his papers were N
a safe place. that we should be
arrested tomorrow, that he would
soon be avenged? Vague phrases:
you are robbers-you are murder
ers'-and vet he wasn't always very
sure Of itm
From which you conclude -"
That he has acted on his ow7
idea. without having spoken OF his
Intention to anyone. and that we
can once more sleep sOundly!"
so, in your opinion. he came here
without even speaking OF it to the
baron?"
Certainly. The baron. who is
less simple. would have prevented
him from doing so without taking
precautions. There would have been
been police officers in the neighbor-
hood. and we are the ones who
would now be caught. But no, this
chap came to your house TO make
q little personal investigation on
his own account, and the turn Of
your conversation led him farther
than he meant TO go. the impudent
fellow! Believe me. he's one OF
those amateur policemen who. be-
coming informed accidentally OF
certain items concerning US, has
longed to reveal himself. by a mas
ter stroke, A great detective, by dis
covering single-handed the crimi-
nails upon whom. until then, the
whole force had been unable to
seize. The race is not very danger
Gus. and we have nothing TO fear"
He took up LuCien Delorme's hat
and looked az the lining. then his
OverCoat. which he examined at the
back OF the neck
What did I Say"' he exclaimed.
tailor in Eu-hatter in Eu-this Is
a fellow who. landing straight from
his province In the Armelin house,
had his head turned by Mrs. Tank
sry's murder"
And how do you explain the
baron's not coming:"
The Hindoo was about to answer
when Juliette came in, bringing q
telegram.
The comte eagerly opened It. and
uttered a cry OF astOnishment as he
read:
Dear Sir:
ct learn from your secretary that
you are i'll and cannot receive me
today. as was arranged.
81 hope it is nothing serious and
remain entirely at your command.
Yours very sincerely.
"PLUCKE.7
what aid I say?' cried Nam.
THAT follow preSentd himself to
the baron as your secretary. Just as
he passed himself on 10 you as the
haron's. Doesn't :his confirm, In
the most striking way, all my con-
jNctureS?"
Turning toward the safe, he con
tinued:
He richly deserved what has
happened to him. People WhS want