The Jasper news., 1920-01-08

the emperor, HranuietneE 70 the pfcD
ent William. thence 10 william the
present.
To this legend Billy and had us
tened with uhblinking interest. Mon
sleur told itrfu the sustained manner
Of one immupcd to secrets Of state. II
was he who broke the spell OF our
silence BY ssking me for a glass OF
water. wi
5 carried the water to him and
turned away my eyes while he held the
glass with his two hands to his lips.
That's quite O yarn" observed
Billy, blowing out cloud.
"'Yarnf" questioned monsieur.
"Story--tale--narrative." Billy cx-
planned. 'Une hlstoire.' on which
monsieur frightened and declared !
"C'est une veritabIe historic" ~
True when It happened" translated
Billy. "E3ut what don't see Is. where
you come in on the diamond deal"
"If' said monsieur, giving me look
that asked: Els there anything have
not beautifully explainedr
"Yes-you; / don't seem yet to see
where you belong in this veritable his
toire,'" returned Billy, looking about
for an ash tray, but driving at bis
polnt--"I don't see what part you play
In II at allf Granted that the dia-
monds belong to the Emperor William
now. then, what are you doing with
themf'
at" again be looked at me. II am
trying TO tind zem for ze Emperor VIII
| liam."
"An right. But what are you doing
with them-in. American" Billy's tone
was severe. f"That Is what you have
to answer"
Billy looked the man straight In the
eyes, dehantly. and ! thought. for Just
the fraction Of second, that he
Quailed under the boyish honest stare.
"Yes. sir" continued Billy, as mon-
sieur did not Immediately reply.
"there's quite a gap between the en-
peror'S owning them and your having
them. Very possibly ] am lacking In
Imagination. but to be quite frank. !
can't see the connection"
II was to me monsieur appealed
"Ah. madame. what more can sayf ]
am at your mercy" and he held ou,
his manRcled hands.
I hardened under BIIly's look at me
and replied coolly: 81 think you'd bet
ter tell us how you came by the dia
monds. ! can't see the precise connec
tion between the Emperor william anC
| vnuRooIf
Monsieur appeared to choke back I
number Of emotions saud then de
claimed. Madame must pardon me
but zoze-are secrets--of statei"
He did II really magnificentiy-al
tcgether the great man, the con6dRn
Of kings. and that-on top OF the res
convinced me of his sincerity. BE
fore could reply, Billy pulled m
sleeve and demanded: where's a
ash tray?-I'm getting this stuff al
over your best rug. Get me a plate o
something out Of the Kitchen" an
with his eyes be said: Leave thi
man to me for a minute, will your
, l stepped into the kitchen and hear
Billy say to monsieur In a low voice
II see don't need to point out to 20
the position you're placing yourself
by refusing an explanation as to ho'
you came to have those diamonds |
,. | your possession. There's only on
thing left for me to think"
He paused and thought, Heavens
Is he going to accuse monsieur" An
: he did.
YOU STOLE THEM"
was rooted to the door. The repl
came like shot-"Monsieur !" and Z
Ravenol leaped to his feet. The tw
= : men had given and taken mortal bio
I. for monsieur. In his single word. ha
. returned as good as he got and ths
= now measured each other.
Billy broke the silence and recells
!. me with: "Say--where's that al
. trnyr
!. The scarlet that had leaped to mo
sieur's cheeks faded as entered Il
room. He stood. He lowered. Yet
- spoke with humility.
= TT is not as De Rayenoi I expia
4 how It is I am seeking Se diamonds Z
= a belong to re Emperor William--it Is
" Ee emperor's messenger to re court
j, Mexico. And yet--it IL as plain
Rayenol-ze fazer Of Claire whom y
know--zat impiore you to keep o
!. confidence Eat give you now at
" ! peril Of my life"
- He paused. and we both felt ca
~ strained to assure him we would ke
= his confidence. and he proceeded.