Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-04-14
CHAPTER xIx.-contInusd

chance TO get rid OF him so he
wouldn't be Fostering around any
moro. I said yes-I knew about
where he was-On the train-he went
to California In the morning"
california - / gurgled. ION the
t-ain. Not for a mile. He's down
stairs in this house. hiding-he was
here when your baron came with a
warrant 10 arrest him." And punctu-
Hted with Billy's astOnished exclama-
lions. poured out my own tale OF
voc and romance and wound up with
monsleur's explanation-that il was n
plot 81 the French government 10 hold
M the Mexican deal by keeping
Ciaire's father from going 10 Mexico
and putting IL through.
Don't believe H." cried Billy. mon
sieur's made n mistake-he didn't see
the man. Why. old Follow-up admit
led 20 me he was working for the En-
peror william. De Ravenol's got the
wrong scent. But say-we must see
him right or and put him wise to this.
Say-it'S awful tough--her father In
such a hole. IL most looks as II we
ought 10 give him hack the dla-
mondS"
Before We could discuss IL and how 10
communicate with the gentleman him
self, n appeared at the front door.
He'd gotten out ia the basement. in
stead OF his own fat. because he'd
heard voices and had taken his chances
on slipping upstairs unobserved.
/ hurried him In. chastened 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 Ia California.
thought | had seen monsieur az the
top notch OF emotionalism already. but
I was mistaken. He actually tore his
hair-not great deal. but enough to
see.
my life is ruin wis zis revelation"
he walled. "wiSout 10 obtain zose dia-
monds neutrality-suspicious. 10 be able
10 return zem to zeir 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?
lit is my young beautiful daughter
Claire who lets get lost zoze diamonds?
God forbid | tell him zat
'But how does lac answer when l
tell him ze truse? Does he say. DE
Ravenol. ann sorry you lose zoze most
precious diamonds. but accidents viii
happen and know you are a good
manT"
He paused FOR a bitter laugh and 10
wipe his face with his handkerchief.
Perhaps YOU sink he says zat. Non
He tells me-'De Ravenol know you
steal 'Zose diamonds while you pretend
Eey are lost. Sings like Eat don't come
lost 50 easy as you say. SO I punish
you Tor robber and see Eat YOU gain
messing from stealing my Jewels
Monsieur heaved a great sigh. "Zis
morning. II / have Z0Ze diamonds. |
am already on my way to Mexico. but
now"
Hide man. hide for n couple Of
days" urged Billy. trying to cheer him
NJ. Wen 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 hlacrity
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
II trust You wis my honaire-wis
what is dearest TO nevis my life"
Billy was deeply affected. could
see. and hurried monsieur OF. return
Ing in about half an honr TO report,
"All serene"
fell asleep and was dreaming that
the dome 81 the national capitol was
toppling over on all 81 rs. when I was
awakened by the ringing OF the front
bell.
/ saw by the dim light IL was early
too early FOR anything but fresh
calamlty-and hoped out Of bed and
ran 10 the door.
who's there" called through.
BILLY. Open quick"
Billy tumbled in. ''Claire's kidnap-
cd = 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 I finally got coherent account
out 81 him he told me that Claire had
been a -little light-headed" through
the evening.
Then she's just wandered on in a
half-delirious state" l affirmed posi-
lively.
shes kidnapped" Billy affirmed
more positively. ~OId Follow-up has
rnficed her ouf on the preteNt Of find
lng her s-ther. and now he'll use her
a. bait 10 GET him ont. I can't decide
whether 30 see him and tell him aow.
nr wait"
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