Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1920-03-13
CHAPTER xViI.-continued.

muzzer is unable 10 give it. Madame,
II you are her friend, you can save her
now. L give you two hours in which
to bring me zoze diamonds"
And the diamonds lay on my table
beside him! had only to reach out
my hand and say, Here" and the mat
ter was settled. Yet something in me
kept saying. No - no - no you
Mustn't :"
l said nothing and monsieur repeat
ed, IF In two hours zoze diamonds are
not in my hands will have her son ar
rested" and / sat there looking at the
box and thinking that in two seconds
If so willed 1.-THE diamonds would
be In his hands!
No-I dared not do 1t without at
least exacting some proviso that
should prevent their use in the treaty
with Mexico-it would be treachery to
my country, cowardice We had two
hOurs-we could do something in that
time-wed not, the three Of us, give
up without a struggle.
WELL" he asked.
'But just what do you wish me to
do?" asked, finding my tongue again
Il don't seem to be clear on it,"
Il have been telling you" he showed
signs of Impotence Il wish you to
call upon her immedately-she is at
home, for my daughter is wis her"
he smiled at that, remembering how
he'd used Claire TO checkmate Billy
and me the night before. Repeat zis
interview Eat you have wis Neon
vince her Eat l am ready to have her
son put under arrest"-he drew for
ward to the edge of his chair and con-
tinued in the tone of one addressing
a partner-'T assure you Eat when you
have communicate zis wis her, she
does one Of two sings If she have al
ready confess to you she have re dia-
mOndS she release you instantly from
re obligation to keep her secret: and
if she have not already confessed oil
to you, she does sO-She is obliged TO
do so to protect herself--to ask adj
vice of friend who comes to warn
her"
BY this time / had perceived that
my one feasible line Of action lay in
pretending to fall in with his plans,
thus gaining time in which to consult
Billy as well as Mrs. Delario, and /
said smoothly:
II appreciate the delicacy with
which you have put the case to me
and relieved me Of the necessity Of
talking to you about my friend--I
can't tell you how l appreciate it"
and there I stuck
What did mean TO do?-tell him
I'd go? And if J md was to take the
diamonds or Leave them behind in the
house? AZ that instant of indecision
and perpexity my eye lighted upon the
note sent up by my recent mysterious
caller-the supposed detective My
counter-move I drew it from the en-.
velope and with it 1 made a fresh
start in conversation.
II appreciate it So much that treat
you with a corresponding confidence
and ask you to explain one or two lit
tie matters so that I may avoid any
difficulties that may arise while I'm
discussing the natter with Mrs. De-
lario."
wis pIeasure-anysing-
Well this-I should like an expla-
nation Of this note"
| put it in his hand.
He read il, frowned, turned 1t over
to see if there were anything on the
other side and still frowning said, "Zis
note? | know Messing of ziS note y
And be read aloud" 'Mademoiselle
Claire de Ravenol has disappeared =
My daughter has not disappcared-ex-
cept so far she has disappeared zis
morning to Madame Delario's house"
His words and manner to my mind
at once disposed Of the hypothesis that
the new man was monsierr's accom-
plice; but / went on THE ma1 who
sent this up-and whom I saw
claimed to be a detective in your en-
p,oy."
NJ laur gave a start. "a detec-
tiye-in my employ--looks for my
daughter Impossible, When do you
receive zls note?"
About two hours ago."
"a detective-two hours ago tells
you I employ him to seek for my
daughter! What does 1t mean? /
have employ no one to seek for my
daughter-nO one. He tells you an IN
truse. What have you sought is his
object 70 tell you Eat he seeks my
daughter?"
Il thought it was a plot against
her"
"a plot against Claire Mon Dieu !
lis l am not prepare for
He was too genuinely shocked and
astonished for me TO doubt his word
and went on, 'Yes-and Mrs. Delario
thought so. too-and Mr.. Rivers. they
both sew the note and thought it was
a plot against Claire. The same man
was at her house last night looking for
Claire just after you had left to 90 10
the hotel for her Perhaps her faint
Ing here actually saved her from him, g"
I added cutie keen On tie dramatic