The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-03-26
CHAPTER xTx.--contitfued.

"A" oVoh as the DafOn 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 p gurgled. "On the
train Not for miIe He's down.
stairs in this house, hiding--he was
here when your baron came with q
warrant to arrest him!" And punctu-
ated with Billy's astonished exclama-
ttons, | poured out my own tale of
woe and romance and wound up with
monsieur's explanation-that it was
plot of the French government to hold
up the Mexican deal by keeping
Claire's father from going to Mexico
and putting it through.
Don't believe it," cried Billy. Mon
sieur's made mistake-he didn't see
the man. Why, old Follow-up admit
ted to me he was working for the EN-
perOr William! De Ravenors got the
wrong scent. But say-We must see
him right off and put him wise to this.
Say-ft's awful tOugh-her father in
: such hole. 1t most looks as if we
ought to give him back the dia-
monds."
Before we could discuss it and how to
communicate with the gentleman him
self, he appeared at the front door.
He'd gotten out in the basement, in
stead of his own fiat, because he'd
heard voices and had taken his chances
on slipping upstairs unobseryed.
| hurried him in, a chastened spirit,
and Billy plunged into the recital of
his interview with Baron Won Follow
up and the clever way he thought ho
had got rid of him by saying monsieur
had gone to California.
thought had seen monsieur at the
top notch of emOtionalism already, but
was mistaken. He actually tore his
hair-nOt a great deal, but enough to
see.
MY life is ruin wis zis revelation"
he walled. "Wisout to obtain zose dia-
monds mmedfately-wisout to be able
to return zem to zefr owner when he
sens for zem-I am lost. Mon Dieu! |
am regarded re same as robber.
"And how do tell him zey get lost?
it is my young beautiful daughter
Claire who let's get lost zOze diamonds?
God forbid tell him zat e..
"But how does he answer when |
tell him re truse? Does he say, De
RavenoI, am sorry you lose zoze most
precious diamonds, but accidents will
happen and l know you are a good
mann"
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, know you
steal zose diamonds while you pretend
zey are lost. Sings like Eat don't come
lost so easy as you say. So | punish
you for a robber and see Eat you gain
Messing from stealing my jewels.
Monsieur heaved a great sigh. "Zis
morning if have zOze diamonds,
am already on my way to Mexico, but
now"
"Hide man. hide for a couple of
days" urged Billy, trying to cheer him
up. "We1l 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. l srow myself on your mercy
II trust you wis my honaire-wis
what is dearest to nevis my life"
Billy was deeply affected, / could
see, and hurried monsieur off, return
ing in 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.
saw by the dim light it was early
too early for anything but fresh
calamity--and hoped out of bed and
rln to the door,
who's there?n called through.
'sBilly. Open quick"
Billy tumbled in. "Claire's kidnap-
ed" he shouted in my face.
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 l finally got a coherent account
out of him he told me that Claire had
been alittle light-heade& through
the evening.
''Then she's just wandered off In
half-delirious state" | affirmed posi-
lively,
.'She's kidnapped" Billy affirmed
more positively. "0ld Follow-up has
enticed her out on the pretext of find
y ~ * = III hos