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

All Is Expla ned.
The credit of Claire's discovery falls
first to her and second to me-she
found herself at my door late in the
afternoon.
Claire" cried, and at the same
moment she cried. "Have they arrest
ed papa?" and collapsed into my
arms.
"They haven't arrested him-he's
perfectly safe," assured her. LET
me take off your coat and then want
you to lie down ut once"
"No-l muslin stop minute-take
me to papa
''Listen to me. Claire" expostulat.
ed bit sternly. II can't take you to
your father now-it isn't possible"
She obeyed like the sick child she
was and then the bell rang and there
stood Billy and Mrs. Delario-Billy
white and woebegone. Mrs. Delario
white and distracted.
"She's here" l whispered. pointing
in the direction of the study.
Billy stood on no ceremony-he
swept both If us aside and roinped
through the hall and l heard one glad
cry. "Claire!" and found him on his
knees by the divan.
My only comment was maiden
auntie smile that went over his head
Or under his feet. perhaps. for he
was in too lofty state at having
found her to notice such trivial details
as that he found her. in my fiat.
Later he drew ME to one side while
Claire and Mrs. Delario were bubbling
together and told me: "Say-I think
I've made Mrs. D. understand about
those things-l simply had tot was
getting too serious for everybody. But
one funny thing-nOthing I can say
can shake her that our foreign friend
Is thief-says she sees 1t too plain
ly and she can't be mistaken"
I'm afraid she's right" whispered
back. 1.-The Great Unknown was here
this mOrning-he says the diamonds
belong to an American millionaire"
Things were happening that day ex-
actly like stOry-book plot-before
could get out another word of explana-
ton the bell rang and the Great Tn.
known came in. was too much as
tonished at having him pop up in an.
Swer to my speaking his name to keep
him out, and he reached the room and
saw the object of his search reclining
on the divan with Mrs. De!ario sitting
beside her.
! "Well-you've found yourself. I see" "
he said pleasantly to Claire after nod
ding casually to Mrs. Delario and Bill
~. "i've been hunting you all day and
now, II you'll be SO good as to tell me
where your father isl have business
of great Importance to him."
II don't know where he is!" Claire
cried. and then appealing to me. she
hlurted out: But you do. Oh, tell him
and let him save papa"
Tableau!
The cat was ont Of the bag! Every
body looked at everybody and tn.
Great Unknown snapped his eyes and
said. "Ah!" staring very hard at me.
IAN accomplish" And he gave the
word 4 hOrrid twist as he said 1t, ant
l felt was proving it by my cheeks.
'Say-lOOk here! Accomplish il
what?" Billy demanded fiercely.
"Accomplice In what? In the great
est diamond robbery Of modern times.
he replied imperturbably.
He sketched the story rapidly: Al
impecunious Indian rajah visitin,
Paris owned the stones and through
DE RavenOl, an impecunious nOblelna,
and ex.tiiplOmat who'd run through hi.
own money and his wife's dOwry. sol,
them to q Pittsburgh millionaire
name not menttOncd-whO intense.
them as 4 gift worthy himself and
certain lady Of the operate stage. Tn,
stones were SO badly cut that De Raw
en0l induced his friend to send ther,
to Antwerp for recruiting by Van Rou
ten. On the day Of their return the,
mysteriously disappeared. as did ais
one Of the rajah's rettnue. who knew
about the stones and had himspl
taken them to Antwerp. Suspicion
fell upon him and the case was put in
to the hands Of the Great Unknown.
ut il true." said Mrs. Deiar!o earn
estly. "every word of 1t. I see it
hear i'll know 1t. We must give BAG
the diamonds at once"
Her I'VE" gave US away completely
l saw the detectives eyes jump. but h
said suavely. II shall be thankful FL
your cooperation in recovering tn
stOnes-particularly II We can kee
the matter quiet. You see. there is tn
wife in Pittsburgh"
I'm sorry-very sorry to hear tina
1t isn't right" Mrs. Delario interrup
J ed.
The Unknown shrugged. If the &c,
t'eman can be induced BY you ladte
to make voluntary restitution the cas-
; will be dropped. And merely for b
daughters sake"