The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1920-06-18
CHAPTER xIx.-Continued.

"As soon as the baron asked me
where De Ravenol was saw the
chance to get rid of him SO he
wouldn't be Fostering around any
more. said yes-I knew about
where he was-On the train-he went
to California in the morning"
california !" gurgled. ION the
train! Not for a mile! He's down
stairs in this house. hiding-he was
here when your baron came with
warrant to arrest him." And punctu.
ated with Billy's astonished exclama-
woe and romance and wound up with
'n"nsieur's explanation-that it was !:
plot Of the French government to hold
up the Mexican deal by keeping
Claires father from going to Mexico
and putting it through.
Don't believe It," cried Billy. "Nlon-
sieurs made miStakp-he didn't see
the man. Why. old FollOw-up admit.
ted to me he was working for the En-
reror William! De RavenOl's got the
wrong scent. But say--we must see
him right off and put him wise to this.
Say-it's awful tough-her father In
such hole. 1t most looks as IL we
ought TO give him back the dia
monds."
Before we could discuss 1t and how to
communicate with the gentleman him.
self. he appeared ut the front door.
He'd gr.ten ont in the basement. in
stead Of his own fiat. because he'd
heard voices and had taken his chances
on slipping upstairs unobserved.
l hurried him in, a chastene,l spirit,
and Billy plunged into the recital of
his interview with Baron Won Follow
up and the clever way he thought he
had got rid Of him by saying monsieur
had gone to California.
thought had seen monsieur at the
top notch Of emOtiOnalism already. hut
l was mistaken. He actually tore his
tair-not a great deal, but enough to
see.
MY life is ruin wis zis revelation"
he walled. "Wisout to obtain zOse dia-
monds NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to be able
to return Zein to zeir owner when he
sens for zenl--I am lost. Mon Dieu!
am regarded Ze same as rObber.
And how do l tell him zey get lost ?
lit is my young beautiful daughter
Claire who lets get lost zoze diamonds?
God forbid tell him zat.
But how does he answer when
tell him re truse? Does he say. DE
Ravenol. l am sorry you lose zoze most
precious diamonds. but accidents will
happen and know you are good
MANI"
He paused for bitter laugh and to
wipe his face with his handkerchief.
Perhaps you sink he says Eat Non
He tells me-'De Ravennl. ! know yO,,
steal z"se diamonds while you pretend
zey are lost. Sings like Eat don't come
lost SO easy as you say. s" punish
you for a rohber and see Eat you gain
messing from stealing my Jewels
Monsieur heaved Il great sigh. "Zis
morning. If | have zOze diamonds. |
am already on my way to Mexico, but
now"
days" urged Billy. trying to cheer him
up. "We'll help you. l 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 tc
hide saves me and my child from dis
grace. srow myself on your mercy
II trust you wis my honaire-wis
what is dearest to nevis my life."
Billy was deeply affected. l coulG
ace. and hurried monsieur of. return
Ing in about half an hour to report
"All serene
l fell asleep and was dreaming thai
the dome Of the national capitol was
tOppling over on all of us. when I wal
awakened by the ringing of the from,
bell.
saw by the dim light It was earl,
too early for anything hut a fresi
calamity-and l hoped out of bed ant
ran to the door.
"Whos th-re:' called through.
BILLY. Open quick"
Billy tumhle,i in. ''Claire's kidnap
ed" he shouted in my face.
don't know whether l put my arm,
around him. or he put his around me
Both. probably: but the next minut,
We were clinging together and hi,
chest was heaving with hard dry sobs
When finally got n coherent accoun
cut Of him he told me that Claire hat
been little light-headed" through
the evening.
'Then she's just wandered of in ,
half-deliriOus state" ! affirmed posi-
lively.
"She's kidnapped" Billy ahirme,
more positively. "Old Follow.up ha
enticed her out on the pretext Of find
ing her father. and now he'll use he
as bait to get him out. I can't decide
whether to see him and tell him now
or watt"
A~0n