Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-08-07
CHAPTER XVI.
The First Wayfarer Visits Shrine,
Confesses, and Takes an Oath.

Confesses, and Takes an Oath.
How was he to find the courage to
impart the appalling news to her? 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 a tool to
be used by the master craftsman. He
saw through the whole Machiayellian
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
glorified and not crucified by his
friends.
With heavy heart he mounted the
stairs. At the top he paused to DELHI
crate. Would it not be better to keep
her in ignorance? 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.
81 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 searchingly. where
is Mr.. Loeb going, Mr.. Barnes?"
"O'Dowd says he is to be gone for a
few days on business" he equivocated.
s'He will not return" she said quiet
ly. 'sHe is a coward at heart. Oh, l
know him WE'LL" she went on, scorn in
her voice.
WAS I wrong in not trying to stop
him." he asked.
She pondered this for a moment.
NO." she said, but he caught the dubi-
Gus note in her voice. SIT is just as
well. perhaps, that he should disap-
pear. His flight today spares-but we
are more interested in the man
Sprouse. Has he returned?"
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, he
hasn't got away with it yet" he
grated. 81 will run this scoundrel down
if have to devote the remainder OF
my life to the task"
She sighed. "Alas, I fear that ]
shall have to tell you a little more
| about this wonderful man you know
as Sprouse. Six months ago the
friends and supporters of the legiti
mate successor to my country's throne
consummated a plan whereby the
crown jewels and certain documents
of state were surreptitiously removed
from the palace vaults. Instead of de
posting the treasure in Paris, it was
sent to this country in charge of {
group of men whose fealty could no
be questioned. The man you know al
Loeb is in reality my cousin | have
known him all my life. He is the
youngest brother of the pretender t.
the throne, and cousin of the prime,
who is held prisoner by the Austrians
This prince has brother also, and i
was to him that was supposed to de
| liver the jewels. / travelled from New
York, but not alone as you may sus
pect. | was carefully protected from
the time / left my hotel there until
well, until / arrived in Boston.
"While there / received secre
| message from friends In Canada hi