The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-09-03
THREE.

moud decided that Il was safe to start |
exploring. First he took of his shoes |
and tying the laces together. he slung
them around his neck. Then. as ST.
Ilently as he could, he commenced to
scramble upward.
II was not an easy operation; one
slip and nothing could have stopped
him sliding down and finally crash
ing into the garden below, with
broken leg. at the very least. for his
pains. In addition. there was the
risk of dislodging slate, an unwise
! proceeding In a house where most OF
the occupants slept with one eye open.
Rut at last he got his hands over the
ridge of the roof, and In another mo-
ment he was sitting straddlewise
across 1t.
A sudden rattle close to him made
him start violently; only to curse him
self for a nervous ass the next mo-
. ment. and lean forward eagerly. One
\ Of the blinds had been released from
inside the room, and q pale, diffused
: light came altering out into the night
from the side of the glass roof. He
was still craning backward and for
n ward to try and find some chink
Is through which he could see, when
a with a kind Of uncanny elaboration
!; one OF the panes Of glass slowly
D onened. II was worked on q ratche
d, from inside, and Hugh bowed his
1f thanks to the unseen operator below
ir Then he leant forward cautiously, ant
peered In.
re The whole room was visible to MIN
g and his jaw frightened as he took Il
Il the scene. In an armchair. smokin
: as uncOncernedly as ever. sat Peter
son. He was reading letter. an
occasionally undertaking some poin
with a pencil. Beside him on a taOl
was a big ledger, and every now an
then he would turn over few page
L and make an entry. But II was nc
Peterson on whom the watcher aboS
was concentrating his attention;
| was LakinRton. taxing a red velv'
A box out Of a drawer In the desk. 3
opened It lovingly, and Hugh saw Il
n flash Of diamonds. Lexington let Il
n stones run. through his hands. glitte
III ing with a thousand. flames, while 2
III terson watched him cOntsmptuously
"Baubles," he said, scOrnfuli
NJ sPretty baubles. What viii you
81 for themr
"a "Ten, perhaps fifteen thousand"
a turned the other. "But IT'S not
N money l care about; It's the delis
III In having them, and the skill requir
N to get them"
4n Peterson shrugged his shoulders.
"SkIIl which would give you hi
ID dreds Of thousands II you turned
Y into proper channels"
Lakington replaced the stones, q
threw the end of his cigarette II
the CRATE.
possibly. Carl. quite possibly. I
Il boils down to this, my friend, 4
you like the big canvas with brt
effects; I like the miniature and
well-drawn etching"
(Which makes us very happy q
- bInatiOn," said Peterson. 'SThe pea
don't forget, are your job. The
thing'-he turned to the other,
iced trace Of excitement came into
E Of voIce--the big thing Is mine"
the The sound of the door opening m
nres. both men swing round instantly; {
nifty Peterson stepped forward with
lgar. smile as Irna entered
sntly "Back, my dear. l hardly expe'
King you 20 soon"
ming In q few words he told the
very- what had happened. and she claE
her hands together delightedly.
.nan rArsursdly / shall have 70 "a