Emmons County record., 1920-03-25

tell him ze truse? Does he say, DE
Ravenol. l am sorry you lose zoze most
precious diamonds, but accidents will
happen and I know you are a good
manY"
He paused for bitter laugh and to
wipe his face with his handkerchief.
Perhaps you sink he says Eat. Non
He tells me-'De Ravenol, I know you
steal zose diamonds while you pretend
zey are lost. Sings like Eat don't come
lost SO easy as you say. So l punish
you for a robber and see Eat you gain
nossing from stealing my jewels.'"
Monsieur heaved q great sigh. "Zis
morning, If have zoze diamonds, I
am already on my way to Mexico, but
now"
"Hide man, hide for couple of
days." urged Billy, trying to cheer him
up. "We'll help you. think you
ought to be down in your den now
I'm afraid every minute that man may
turn up here again."
Later, remembered the alacrity
with which monsieur accepted the of.
fer, assuring us fervently, "Only to
hide saves me and my child from dis
grace. srow myself on your mercy
Il trust you wis my honaire-wis
what is dearest to nevis my life."
Billy was deeply affected, I could
see, and hurried monsieur off. return.
Ing n about half an hour to report
"All SERENE"
i fell asleep and was dreaming that
the dome of the national capitol was
toppling over on all of us, when was
awakened by the ringing Of the front
bell.
I saw by the dim light it was early
too early for anything but fresh
calamity-and hoped out Of bed and
ran to the door.
"Who's there7" I called through.
"Billy. Open quick"
Billy tumbled in. "Claire's kidnap.
ed!" he shouted in my face.
1 don't know whether put my arms
around him, or he put his around me.
Both, probably; but the next minute
we were clinging together and his
chest was heaving with hard dry sobs.
When finally got coherent account
out Of him he told me that Claire had
been a "little light-headed" through
the evening.
"Then she's just wandered off in q
half-delirious state" I affirmed posi-
lively.
"She's Kidnapped" Billy affirmed
more positively. "Old Follow-up has
enticed her out on the pretext of find
ing her father, and now he'll use her
as bait to get him out. can't decide
whether to see him and tell him now,
or watt"
"Don't tell him yet" I advised
promptly. you're all upset and you
think she's Kidnapped know she isn't
she's just lost. She's wandering
about the streets now looking for her
father"
I dressed. What could I do? Moth
ing but stay home and wait-as I had
been doing all through. was hardly
through my simple breakfast when
George came up.
"Why, that gen'lem'n-the one sent
the note you wouldn't see yestiddy-
he say he got an appointment with you
fer nine O'clock"
The very man Billy believed had
kidnapped Claire!
"Show him up," I instructed with
alacrity; and when he came I greeted
him so affably he looked afraid to en-.
ter.
almost flung the question at him
''Where is Miss de Ravenol ?'-before
l thought, but saved it just in time.
He sat down in the chair pushed for
ward; sat opposite. He seemed at a
loss to begin; said not one word.
He opened fire on me thus: II feel
I owe you an apology for my uncere-
monious call yesterday"
merely bowed in acknowledgment.
II shouldn't have insisted, you know,
only we had traced the man to the
house, and since he had called on you
the evening before, it was natural
conclusion that he was calling on you
then, also. They drove from their ho-
nv,