The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1920-04-30


house. She didn't know what was In
the b0x-she thought it a cipher on
tissue paper to save her fathers life,
and IL 1t was found on her he'd be
put to death; but If it was found on
you or me-all right-we couldn't ex-
plain. for we didn't know anything"
"And do you believe that?" Mrs.
Delarfo demanded, her face q picture
of amazement-at me!
With that I went through the whole
story Of my experiences with mon.
sieur, adding no comments on her
story. but telling only his and Claire's
and the legend of the diamonds.
1t took long time-it took long
nerve. While ] .alked l did not once
look at herr would not witness the
defeat Of her deep religious convic-
lions and the dissolution Of her hopes.
l ended apologeticallv, $50 you see. &C.
coriiing to that. the diamonds really
belong to the Emperor William" l
could not bring myself to come out
with it f1at.footedly aud say they posi-.
lively did.
"Wcll?"
Her tone was so peculiar that I
looked up quickly. And her face was
study. She was obviously puzzled,
but amazement still held it's ground
amazement at me; pity at me, too. for
my credulity. And a moment before
l had been almost ready to shed tears
over her!
"He's cleverer than I thought" she
commented. "Much. Oh, very much
cleverer-if he can deceive you like
that.
"And he's much more dangerous
than I thought-he must have very
powerful occult influences working
with him, or very remarkable psychics
on the earth plane who can get names
and dates. And it all shows how care
full I've got to be. I'm glad you
told me. see how I must guard my.
self"
l experienced strong revulsion of
feeling toward her-her manner of TAX
ing what I'd told her gave me a posi-
tive shock. I'd wasted both my SYM
pathy and my reasoning powers on
her. And saw the Vaccinations she'd
be the center of-the wrath of the
Emperor William, that I'd been
threatened with, bounding her, perhaps
to death. I must save her from her
own folly-I must convince her in
spite of herself and for her own good
If l didn't De Ravenol would before
he got through with her, and l hated
I" think what he'd do: he had too
much at stake himself to care what
happened to her.
"But wait minute" I struck in
boldly: 'you're forgetting that you
wore the slippers on the steamer-that
knocks Paris: the diamonds could not
have been In the slipper when you
bought it-or while you were in Paris"
''Why, so did" she admitted. And
l thought for second that she wa
vered-that l had given her belief a
serious blow. But If I did it rebound.
ed Immediately. "And that makes It
only the more wonderful" she cried,
and repeated it with delight at the
clenchins discovery. She did not no.
tice my dry and somewhat disguised.
ut certainly does" but dubbed on:
ut only goes to show their powers
their all-seeing, all-helping powers!
They made me the gift in Paris, and
then. seeing it might be discovered too
soon-at time the knowledge I pos
sessed such wealth and was smuggling
it-though l didn't know was SNUG
Cling it--but should have felt ought
to say something at the customs house
If had known it on the steamer"
l cut in with positive violence: "You
mean they-whoever they are-put the
box in your slipper in Paris. then took
1t out on the steamer so you could
wear the slipper-and then put it back
after you had worn the slipper? You
mean that?"
Certainly. Why notY' she answered
calmly.
l declare l could almost have sworn
at her! "Why not!' l gasped.
"Why-not?" she repeated. looking
ut me darkly. If they can put it
there they can take it Out-that is
simple everyday reason. Why:-you
yourself gave me The proof you told
ne 1t was once in the other slipper
the one you carried off"
In the face of such arguments. seri-
"usly put, was helpless.
~
'nanded. Remember - Claire never
told you she did-that's what he says
ind he's q consummate scOundrel.
of any fabrication Of the truth
to gain his ends and rob defenseless
Her question and her face both chal-
|enged me-deluanded the blow direct
r I.~-n ~