The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1920-01-01
CHAPTER XII.
The Capture.

When nOtnlng happened were more
alarming than when he was boldly at
tacking. You may imagine, II you can,
what went through on Saturday. My
one diversion was to rehide the dia-
monds. THIS tlme-after | had taken
them out cf the hyacirtns and poked
thimble among the stems-I sealed
them In an envelope and thumb-tacked
II to the bottom ola sideboard drawer.
The drawers sIedded In and out on run
ners deep enough to allow the enve-
lope to pass, All day long l kept think
Ing, what will happen If monsieur
doesn't take the bait2" II seems
strange to me now. but / never once
asked myself, "What will happen II he
doesf"
The last half hour before Billy came
was positively the longest in my life,
hnd when the bell did finally ring |
was shot through the heart and ready
TO die
i came to life Immediately, whis-
pered through the door. who's
theref" and heard, "Ann Preswick"-
the password we'd agreed on.
"Then he hasn't killed you'll" were
my first words.
"Who2 Your 'mossooT No II
killed him on the stairs last night
or pretty nearr'
didn't see why Billy should bestow
the proprletorshlp on me-he wasn't
my "mossoo," as reminded Billy while
he was pulling a pair of handouts out
OF his overcoat pocket.
"a mere detail" he returned. "He
will be your own In an hour" He flung
of his coat "Where do we hide these
togs?"
MY wardrobe. But he won't
come"
"Oh, yes, he will-he told me so."
thought Billy was joking and made
no reply.
"Very interesting man." unused Billy.
mot at all the sort of person you'd
expect to find In a diamond robbery.
Wonderful knowledge Of European pol
itfcs--and American politics, too"
BILLY. what do you meant" de-
manded.
"Why, | took your 'mossoo' home
"You didn't" gasped.
"of course l didl Why not7 You
don't suppose I'd go off and leave him
here to murder you. do your Billy
was making the most out Of his story,
could see.
"But - how did you man
ege -it?" ] was still gasping.
81 didn't. He did. BE wasn't going
to give himself away by going up
stairs; he said he was going down. SO
we went down together, and | kept
talking to him. When we got to the
street we just kept on TIL I'd seen
him home. We were thick as thieves
by that time. invited him to see
Chinatown tonight and he accepted"
'Billyl You never"
"Yes. did And It's how / know
he's coming tonight-see1 went
round this morning In time for the
first mail. He was waiting for 1t
oh, he got the letter all right And
as soon as he read II he came over
and told me he couldn't go to China
town tonIght-he had diplomatic bust
ness that might take him to Washing
tOn-which means here. Seer"
'Biily, you're the cleverest thing
ever saww ] cried with real admira'
tion.
"Thanks-coming from you appre
ciate that" He said II In an offhand
way, but ] could see he was feelinl
very set up over himself And dldn1
blame him. He added, "What tbs
'mOssoo' was really after-why hS
wouldn't let me go out In the darA
alone--was to know who was calling
on. told him II was the people II
the front fiat and l couldn't get In.
told him II was their cousin from Bos
ton | was calling on and maybe they'C
gone TO the theater. That led to Oul
talking sbout plays; that led to an In
spiration OF genius and asked him q
he'd seen Chinatown; that led to my
Invitation and-the rest you know
BILLY. you are positively the clever
est man knOwI"
'Didn't think I'd grow up like that
aid your And that's not all. As fol
the pretty daughter-your little Clair,
that you think so much of-don't fain
now-weIl. she's In It up to the necl
and over her ears. She's his accom-
plice. all right Here's her cable mes
sage" He drew out bit OF papel
on which he'd copied u and read:
Born a girl. Mother and child do
4g well. CLAIRE"
"But this is-thls isn't" ] STAN
mered.
@Onita al p aRraad E,fllv. sIt IN an,