The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-10-15

Oh watched him enter the house |
h the Chinese cabinet clasped in
Toby" he remarked to that worthy,
ON he found mournfully eating a
ID sandwich in the garage, Lets
on the roof"
silently they both climbed the lad
which had been placed in readi-
IS, to find Peter Darrell and the
lerican detective already in posi-
n. A brilliant light streamed out
'ough the glass dome, and the in
e OF the central room was clearly
aDle. In the three chairs sat the
kioniess, bound figures so swathed
afope that only the tops of their
were visible just as darlington
ft him and Toby and Algy earli-
1.-THE evening. The only moving
IN the room was the criminal
and at the moment he was
sN the table with the Chinese
capA front Of him. With a quick
lurnA6s wrist he pried open two
maps pod. and folded them back
again side. Then he lifted out
parcEold and silver tissue from
MY muttered Hugh, what a
iooi i W. to think of it! Just
lalse - actuated by closing
the lid" I'D
But the Acan, whistling gently
to himself. his eyes fixed on the
iope VI "o pearls which LAX
ihs'oh was Ag lovingly in his
hands.
$50 easy, youA continued Lax.
ington. land yonA chit TO nj, your
selves against me- roso and stood
in front of the. ,,ar, ho hoa
last left Drummonk rho. Zoo, ~.
chauffeur failed to- or, INV or-
ders, and create d ors;o, W.,
will see what happeH1A noon,o WIZ
fail to carry out my in min.
ute. And after that VI never 600
anything again"
"Say, he's a dream-thn mut-
tered the American. noor,s
are those he's got?"
"The duchess of Lampshh u,;s
pered Hugh. Lifted right y ,ao
nose of the whole bally, hou2 WV "
The four watchers on the re- ,,ad
their eyes to the glass. And H..
they saw a moment or two aftAs "a
stirred even the ptlegmatic Mr.. Z
A heavy door was swinging 81
open, apparently Of its own VOLT
though Hugh, stealing a quick giai
at darlington, saw that he was pre-
ing some small studs in a niche
one of the walls. Then he looB
back at the door, and stared du
founded. 1t was the mysterious Ct
board Of which Phyllis had spoken
him, but nothing he had imagined fir
her words had prepared him for
reality. 1t seemed TO be literally era
med to overlooking with the nj
priceless loot. Gold vessels of FAINT
tic and beautiful shapes Uttered
floor; while on the shelves were I;
ranged the most wonderful collect
of precious stones, which shone a
scintillated in the electric light
their glitter almost blinded I
watchers.
The pearls were carefully placed
a position Of honor, and for Fl
moments Lexington stood gloati
over his collection.
"Do you see them. Captain Dru
mondg' he asked quietly. Each thi
obtained by my brain-my hands.
mine-minei'' His voice rose to
shout. "And you pit your puny W
against me-" With a laugh he cross
the room, and once more pressed |
studs. The door swung slowly to a
closed without a sound. while Lakil
ton still shook with silent mirth.
sAnd now'-he resumed, rubbing
hands-"we will prepare your ba
Captain Drummond. And while it
getting ready. we will just deal "
the chauffeur who neglected his
ders."
For few minutes he bent o.
the chemicals, and thenthe poured |
mixture into the water which n
filed the long bath at the end of I
room. about five minutes beft
we're quite. ready" he announc
aJust time for the chauffeur"
He went to a speaking tube. do
which he blew. Somewhat natura
there was no answer. and Lakingt
frowned.
"A stupid fellow" he remarked sc
IL. But there Is no hurry; / "
deal with him later"
darlington returned to the CHI
which contained. as he thought,
chief enemy. and was standing besi
1t with an unholy JOY shining on
face.
|. And since I have to deal with b
later, Captain Drummond, D. s.
NJ. c., may as wen deal with =
new. Then II will be your frien'
turn. I am going to cut the rop
and carry yen, while you're SO numb
that you can't move, to the bath. tn
l shah drop you in, Captain Dru
mond, and when. afterward. yoa pr
for death, shall mercifully spa
your life-for a while"