The Ordway new era., 1920-06-11
CHAPTER xix.-con.inued.

Nouluu I De pesteiius aiouhu any
more. said yes-I knew about
where he was--on the train--he went
10 California In the morning"
california r. gurgled. "On the
trainl Not for a mile! He's down
stairs In this house, hiding-he was
here when your baron came with a
warrant to arrest hint" And punctu-
ated with Biiiy's astonished exclama-
tlous. 1 poured out my own tale of
woe and romance and wound up with
nonsieur's explanation-thnt 1t was n
plot of the French government to hold
up the Mexican deal by keeping
Ciaire's father from going to Mexico
and putting It through.
Don't believe it," cried Billy. Mon
sieur's made mistahe-he didn't see
the man. Why. old Follow-up admit
led to me he was working for the En-
yeror Wiliiami De Ravenol's got the
wrong scent. But say-we must see
film right Off and put him wise to this
Say-it's awful tough-her father In
such hole. 1t most looks as II we
ought to give him back the dia-
monds."
Before we could discuss 1t 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.
hurried him in. chastened spirit.
aud Billy plunged into the recital of
al. int DO
up and the clever way he thought he
had got rid of him by snying monsieur
tiad gone to California.
thought | had seen monsieur at the
top notch OF emotionnlism already. but
was mistaken. He actually tore his
tiair-not a great deal, but enough to
see.
"My life Is ruin wis Zis revelation"
ne walled "Wisout to obtain zose dia-
Eaonds NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to be able
to return zem to zeir owner when he
sens for zem-I am lost. Mon Dieu!
am regarded re same us robber.
And how do tell him zey get lost?
1t Is my young beautiful daughter
Claire who lets get lost zoze diamondsf
God forbid I tell him zat.
"But how does he answer when
teii him ze truse? Does he say. DE
ttavenol. am sorry you lose zOze most
precious diamonds, but accidents will
tappen and l know you are q good
man?"
He paused for bitter laugh and to
wipe his face with his handkerchief.
Perhaps you sink he says zat. Non
He tells me-'De Raven0l, / know you
steal zose diamonds while you pretend
Sey are lost. Sings like zat don't come
lost so easy MS you say. So l punish
you for a rObber and see Eat you gain
nossing from stealing my Jewels
Monsieur heaved a great sigh. "Zis
aiorning. II have zoze diamonds,
sm already on my way to Mexico, but
how"
Hide man. hide for couple of
days" urged Billy. trying to cheer him
up. well help you. think you
ought to be down In your den now
TIN afraid every minute that man may
turn up here again."
Later. l remembered the alacrIty
with which monsieur accepted the Of
fer. assuring us ferventiy. "Only to
hide saves me md my child from dis
grace. srow myself on your mercy
i 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 hour to report
'.Aii serene"
fell asleep aTtl was dreaming that
the dome OF the national capitol was
toppting over on all of us. when | was
awakened by the ringing Of the from,
belt.
| saw by the dim light 1t wns early
too early for anything but fresl
cs,am'ty---and I hoped out of bed ant
F~n to the door.
who's thrre!' called through
"Biliy. Open quick"
fiIliy tuiuhied in. "Ciaire's kidnap
ed !" he shouted In my face.
don't know whether put my arm!
around him. or he put his around me
Both. probably; but the next minut,
we were clinging together and hi
chest was heaving with hard dry sobs
D.. When finally got coherent accOun
out OF him he told me that Claire ha,
sseen little light-headed" through
the evening.
Then she's Just wandered of in
saif-deiirious state" I affirmed posi-
Ivs,y.
Shes kidnapped" Billy afflrme,
.ore positively. "Old Follow-up hn
~uticed her out on the pretext of find
Ing her father nnd now he'll Use he
az bait to get him out. | can't decid
whether to see him and tell him now
or wait"
Don't tell him yet" I advise
promptly. You're all upset and yo
think she's kidnapped know she ism
she's just lost. She's wanderin