The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1919-11-06
CHAPTER ~.
The Wicked Flee.


confess l was frightened when |
thought Of the diamonds and only two
women alone in the house-appar-
ently-to guard them, but Mrs. Della
rio was terrified.
"These stones"-she looked about
the room despalringly. "Where can
hide them? And we two women alone
In the house"
Again the ring-a long, long rattle;
whoever 1t was meant to get In. Fol-
lowed pounding on the door.
Mrs. Delario, though deathly white,
was now composed and ready to meet
the emergency, whatever 1t was. Me-
chanically she slipped the elastic over
the box and rose.
"Ill go to the door," she decided.
ITS better to see who 1t Is, anyway.
Perhaps it's only district messenger.
If It isn't-lf 1t should he officers
they might break in the door"
And with that she whisked up her
skirt and tucked the box down into her
stocking.
had risen and was preparing to
follow her out, feeling she might need
me, but she turned and said for me
to wait behind the door out of sight
and listen.
She left me. heard the front door
open just as the pounding began again.
She asked, "What is it?' and a mans
voice answered, "Does Eugene Delario
live here?" She said he did, and de-
mnnded what was wanted of him. The
mans voice said. 81 must see him at
once"
And then, TO my amazemcnt, | heard
her tell the man, I'm sorry, but you
can't-tonight he's sick In bed"
II rather think l can see him, then,'
was the retort. "And ! WILL"
There followed, well, not quite
scuffle but very active shuilling of
feet, and the man pushed his way into
the house In spite Of her, pushing her
inside from the door, which he shut
with n bang and "Now, then" Sen
sations began to trickle down my
spine.
"In which room is the young man
sick?" demanded the voice.
~ tell you you can't see llm-l re-
fuse to let you go upstairs. What
my house this way and demanding to
see my sick SOM" she asked angrly.
"Now, lady, be reasonable and m
show you." he replied in tone meant
to conciliate. | heard rattle of pa
per.
"A warrant" she gasped.
"That's what" he said. "Want TO
see my badger There was q slight
rustic as l assumed he showed 1t to
her, for she gasped. "An officer-a war
rant!" and seemed to sway on the
stair.
"Now, lady," he began. still concIli-
ating. "you don't want to make any
more trouble for yourself than's nee
essnry. ! got to do my duty-and 1t
amt always pleasant-but got to do
It. 1t amt my fault If got to arrest
your son-I amt doing 1t to spite you,
nor him-he didn't steal any diamonds
OFF me, you know"
"Steal any dlamonds!" she inter.
rupted. "He never stole diamond In
his life. Never"
fancied the man struggling as he
answered, $50 much the better for him
II he didu't steal them-I'm sure
hope for your sake he didn't. though
II looks bad, him trying to sell them
TO the very parties that knew all about
them"
"Ohi" and could see her clinging
10 the banIster. She was evidently at
O loss what to do.
I understood in a fash what had
happened-this man or an accomplice
was the one who had followed her son
home from the Maiden lane dealers
yesterday. He evidently thought he
was making headway, for he went on.
"Now see here, lady, you take 1t
from me--the parties that are press
ing this case don't care for publicity
any more than you door your son
does 1t would ruiz him Il It got Into