Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1920-03-27
CHAPTER xIx.-continued.

"AS soon as the baron 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 traia-he went
to California in the morning"
california - gurged. "On the
train Not for a milel He's down
stairs in this house, hiding-he was
here when your baron came with a
warrant TO arrest him." And punctu-
ated with Billys astonished exclama-
tons poured out my own tale of
woe and romance and wound up with
monsieur's expIanation-tha il was n
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 a miStake-he didn't see
the man. Why, old Fonow-up admit.
ted to me he was working for the En-
perOr William, De Ravenol's got the
wrong scent. But say-we must see
him right off and put him wise to this.
Say-it's awful tougher father in
such a hole. 1t most looks as if we
ought to give him back the da-
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 unobserved
l 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 to California.
| thought had seen monsieur at the
Cop notch Of emouonalism already, but
1 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 70 obtain zose dia-
mOnds ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to he able
to return zem to zeir owner when he
sens for zem-I am lost Mon Dieu
am regarded re same as a rObber.
and how do tell him zey get lost?
lit is my young beautiful daughter
Claire who lets get lost zoze diamonds?
God forbid l tell him zat
But how does he answer when |
tell him re truse? Does he say De
Ravenol, am sorry you lose zoze most
precious diamonds, but accidents will
happen and | know you are good
manY"
He paused for a bitter laugh and to
wipe his face with his handkerch.e Of.
perhaps You sink he says Eat. Non!
He tells me-'De RavenoI, / 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 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 couple of
days, urged Billy. trying to cheer him
up. "We1I help YOU | think you
ought to be down in your den now
Tn afraid every minute that man may
turn up here again"
Later, l remembered the alacrity
with which monsieur accepted the Of
fer. assuring us fervently "Oniy to
hide saves me and my child from dis
grace. srow myself ON your mercy
i trust you Wis my houaire-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"
| fell asleep and was dreaming that
the dome of the national capitol was
topping over IN all Of us, when was
awakened by the ringing Of the front
bell.
saw by the dim light If was early
too early for anything hut a fresh
Calamity-and hoped out Of bed and
ran to the door
who's there called through
Billy, 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; bur the next minute
we were cingiug together and his
chest was beaving with hard dry sobs
When l finally got q coherent account
out Of him he told me that Claire had
been little light-headed" through
the evening
Then she's just wandered off in a
half-delirious state" I affirmed posi-
lively.
shes kidnapped" Billy affirmed
more positively. "Old Follow-up has
enticed her out on the pretext OF find
ing her fsther. and now he'll use her
as bait 20 get him ont. can't decide
whether 10 see him and tell him now.
or wait"