The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-10-23
CHAPTER XVI.
The First Wayfarer Visits a Shrine,
Confesses, and Takes an Oath.

Confesses, and Takes an Cath.
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
of with the priceless treasure and
that only a miracle could bring about
It's 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 commendation Of his
associates He would have been
glorified and not crucified by his
friends.
With a heavy heart he mounted the
stairs. At the top he paused to delib-
crate. Would 1t not be better to keep
her in ignorance7 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.
"I feared you had deserted me-"
she said, holding out her hand to him
as he strode across the room.
'Tsaw no occasion to disturb your
rest" he mumbled.
81 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.
"He will 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. "It 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 returnedf"
"No, Miss Cameron" said he rue
fully. And then, without a single res
ervation, he laid bare the story OF
Sprouse's detection. When he inquired
IL 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 a thief
of international fame.
"You we're 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 1t yet" he
grated. IT will run this scoundrel down
IL / have to devote the remainder OF
my life to the task"
She sighed. "Alas. fear that
shall have to tell you little more
about this wonderful man you know
as Sprouse. Six months ago the
friends and supporters of the legti
mate successor to my countrys throne
consummated 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, 1t was
sent to this country In charge Of &
group of men whose fealty could no
be questioned. The man you know a.
Loeb is In reality my cousin. ] have
known him all my life. He is th'
youngest brother of the pretender Il
the throne. and a cousin Of the prime,
who is held prisoner by the Austrlans
This prince has brother also. and 4
was to him that was supposed to de
liver the jewels. Travelled from New
York, but not alone as you may sus
pect. I was carefully protected from
the time left my hotel there until
well, until arrived In Boston.
"While there received secre
| messaa n from friends In Ceaada d