Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-04-14
CHAPTER Xxx.
All Is Explained.

| ne cFeult OF Claire , discovery IaliS
first 10 her and second to me-she
found herself at my door late in the
afternoon.
'Clairer ! cried. and at the same
moment she cried, Have they arrest
ed papa?" and collapsed into my
arms.
"They haven't arrested him-he's
perfectly safe,' / assured her. "Let
me take off your coat and then | want
you to lie down at once"
"NO-I mustnS stop a minute-take
me to papa"
Listen 10 me. Claire" l expOstulat-
/ ed bit sternly. II can't take you 70
your father now-it isn't possible"
She obeyed like the sick child she
was and then the bell rang and there
stood Billy and Mrs. Delario-Billy
white and woebegone. Mrs. Delario
white and distracted.
shes here" I whispered. pointing
i'm the direction of the study.
Billy stood on no ceremOny-he
swept both OF us aside and rOmped
through the hall and I heard one glad
cry, "Claire!" and found him on his
knees by the divan.
My only comment was n maiden
auntie smile that went over his head
or under his feet, perhaps. for he
was In too lofty a state at having
found her 10 notice such trivial details
ms that he "found her in my fat
Later he drew me to one side while
Claire and Mrs. Delario were bubbling
together and told me: HSay-I think
I've made Mrs. ID. understand about
those things-I simply had tot was
getting too serious for everybody. But
one funny thing-nothing ! can say
| can shake her that our foreign friend
| is thief-says she sees IL too plain
| ~ and she can't be mistaken"
"rm afraid she's right" whispered
back. The Great Unknown was here
this morning-he says the diamonds
belong to an American millionaire"
Things were happening that day ex-
| actly like a stOry-bOOk plOt-befOre l
could get out another word of explana-
ton the bell rang and the Great Un-
known came in. I was too much as
tonished at having him pop up in an-
sweE to my speaking his name to Keep
him out. and he reached the room and
saw the object of his search reclining
on the divan with Mrs. Delario sitting
/ beside her
"Well-yOu've found yourself. see"
! he said pleasantly to Claire after nod
ding casually TO Mrs. Delario and Bill
ly. "rve been hunting you all day and
now, II you'll be so good as to tasl me
where your father isl have business
of great importance TO him"
II don't know where he y" Claire
cried. and then appealing 10 me. she
bIurted out: But you do. oh. tell him
and ct him save papa
Tableau.
The cat was out OF the bag! Every
body looked at everybody and the
Great Unknown snapped his eyes and
said. "Ah!' staring very hard at me.
AN accomplice." And he gave the
word a horrid twist as he said IL. and
| felt was proving IL by my cheeks.
'Say-look here. Accomplish In
j
"Accomplice In what? In the great
est diamond robbery of modern times"
he replied imperturbably.
He Skctched the story rapidly: An
impecuniouS Indian rajah visiting
Paris owned the stones and through
DE Ravenol. an impecuniOus nobleman
and ex-diplomat who'd run through his
own money and his wife's dowry. sold
them 10 a Pittsburgh millionaire
name not mentioncd-who intended
them as gift worthy himself and a
certain lady OF the operate stage. The
stones were so badly cut that De Raw
enol induced his friend to send Them
to Antwerp for recruiting by Van Rou-
ten. On the day Of their return they
mysteriously disappeared. as did also
one OF the rajah's retinue. who knew
about the stones and had himself
taken them to Antwerp. Suspicion
fell upon him and the case was put in
10 the hands of the Great Unknown.
1T is true" said Mrs. Delarlo earn
cstly. every word of II. I see i'll
hear it, know IT We must give back
the diamonds M once"
Her 'we~ gave us away completely
saw the detectives eyes jump. but he
said suayely. II shall be thankful for
your cooperation in recovering the
stones-particuirrly IL we can keep
the matter quiet. You see. there is the
wife in Pittsburgh"
I'm sorry-very sorry 10 hear that.
II isn't right" Mrs. Delario interrupt
| ed.
The Unknown shrugged. IF the gen
tieman can be induced by you ladies'
60 make voluntary restitution the case
VII be dropped. And merely Tor his