Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-04-21
CONTINUED from last Week
by JANE BUNKER

AS re crime is a great one-fixed ai
one hundred sousand dollars and his
muzzer is unable to give 1t. Madame.
II you are her friend, you can save her
now. give you two hours In which
to bring me zOze diamonds"
And the diamonds lay on my table
beside hint I had only to reach out
my hand and say, "Here," and the mat.
ter was settled. Yet something In me
kept saying, No - no - no you
mustn't"
I said nothing and monsieur repeat
ed, eff In two hours zoze diamonds are
not In my hands will have her son ar
rested" and sat there looking at the
box and thinking that In two seconds
If I so willed 1.-THE diamonds would
be In his hands!
MOL dared not do It without at
least exacting some proviso that
should prevent their use IN the treaty
with Mexico--it would be treachery to
my country, cowardice. We had two
hours-we could do something In that
time-we'd not. the three Of US, give
up without struggle.
"Well7" he asked.
'But just what do you wish me to
dot" asked, finding my tongue again.
II don't seem to be clear on 1t"
II have been telling you," he showed
signs Of impatlence. II wish you to
call upon her immedIately-she is at
home, for my daughter is wis her"
he smiled at that. remembering how
he'd used Claire to checkmate Billy
and me the night before. Repeat els
interview Eat you have wis me-con-
vince her Eat am ready to have her
son put under arrest"-he drew for
ward to the edge of his chair and con-
tinued In the tone of one addressing
a partner-'T assure you Eat when you
have communicate zis wis her, she
does one of two sings: If she have al
ready confess 10 you she have re dia-
monds, she release you instantly from
re obligation to keep her secret; and
IL she have not already confessed all
to you, she does so--she Is obliged to
do so to protect herself-to ask ad-
vice of a friend who comes to warn
her"
BY this time l had perceived that
my one feasible line of action lay In
pretending to fall in with his plans,
thus gaining time I'm which to consult
Billy as well as Mrs. Delario, and /
said smoothly:
IL appreciate the delicacy with
which You have put the case to me
and relieved me of the necessity of
talking TO you about my friend--I
can't tell you how appreciate it"
and there stuck
What did mean to do?-tell him
I'd go? And If did, was to take the
diamonds or leave them behind in the
house? AT that instant OF indecision
and perplexity my eye lighted upon the
note sent up by my recent mysterious
calIer-the supposed detective. My
counter-movel | drew II from the en-
velope and with 1t made fresh
start In conversation.
IL appreciate IL so much that | treat
you with corresponding confidence
and ask you to explain one or two lit
tie matters so that I may avoid any
difficulties that may arise while I'm
discussing the matter with Mrs. De-
lari0."
"Wis pleasure--anyslng-"
"Well. thIs-I should like an expla-
nation of this note"
| put Il in his hand.
He read 1t, frowned. turned Il over
to see IL there were anything on the
other side and still frowning said. "Zis
note1 know Messing Of z's note"
And he read aloud" 'Mademoiselle
Claire de Ravenol has Disappeared
Ny daughter has rot dfsappcared-ex-
cept so far she has disappeared zis
morning to Madame Delario's house"
His words and manner to my mind
at once disposed of the hypothesis that
the new man was monsleur's accom-
plice: but l went on; "The man who
sent this up-and whom l saw
claimed to be a detective In your en-
ploy"
Monsieur gave start. "a detec-
tive-in my employ--looks for my
daughter Impossible! When do you
receive zis pote7"
about two hours agol"
"a detective-two hours ago tells
you | employ him to seek for my
daughter! What does 1t mean?
have employ no one to seek for my
daughter-uo one. He tells you an I'M
trNlse. What have you sought is his
object to tell you Eat he seeks my
daughtcrf"
Il thought 1t was plot against
her"
"a plot against Clairel Mon Dieu
2is am not prepare for"
He was too genuinely shocked and
astonished for me TO doubt his WORD
and went on. "YeS--and Mrs. DelsriC
/ thought so. too--aud Mr.. Rivers. they
both saw the note and thought II wa:
a plot against Claire. The same mar
was at her house last night looking fol
Claire just after you had left to go Il
the hotel for her. Perhaps her faint
ing here actually saved her from him,
I added. quite keen on the dramati,
side Of 1t all and feeling that 1t wa
an excellent counter-irritant TO dis
monds,
'SIon Dieut What kind Of a plot
And who-Mon Dieul"