The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-08-19

linen report 10 me In the central
room"
And out Of the corner OF his eye
Hugh watched him enter the house
with the Chinese cabinet clasped in
his hand.
Toby" he remarked to that worthy,
whom he found mournfully eating a
ham sandwich in the garage, Lets
20 on the roof"
Silently they both climbed the lad
der which had been placed In readi-
ness, TO find Peter Darrell and the
American detective already in posi-
ton. A brilliant light streamed out
through the glass dome, and the in
side of the central room was clearly
visible. In the three chairs sat the
motiOnless, bound figures so swathed
In rope that only the tops Of their
heads were visible. just as Lexington
had left him and Toby and Algy earli-
er in the evening. The only moving
thing in the room was the criminal
himself, and at the moment he was
seated at the table with the Chinese
cabinet in front Of him. With n quick
turn Of his wrist he pried open two
flaps Of wood, and folded them back
against the side. Then he lifted out
a parcel of gold and silver tissue from
underneath.
MY hat!' muttered Hugh, what n
fool | was not TO think Of it! Just
a false bottom actuated by closing
the lid"
But the American, whiStling gently
to himself, had his eyes fixed on the
rope Of wonderful pearls which LAX
ingtOn was holding lovingly in his
hands.
$50 easy, you scum" continued LAX
ingtOn, land you thought to pit your
selves against me"-he rose and stood
in front Of the chair where he had
last left Drummond. THAT fool of a
chauffeur failed to carry out my or
ders, and create q diversion. You
will see what happens to people who
fail to carry out my orders, in q min
ute. And after that you'll never see
anything again"
"Say, he's a dream-that guy" NUT
tered the American. what pearls
are those he's gotT"
"The duchess of Lampshire's," whis-
pered Hugh. Lifted right under the
nose Of the whole bally house party"
The -four watchers on the roof glued
their eyes to the glass. And the sight
they saw a moment or two afterward
stirred even the phlegmatic Mr.. Green.
A heavy door was swinging slowly
open, apparently Of it's own volition,
though Hugh, stealing a quick glance
at Lexington, saw that he was press
ing some small studs In a niche in
one Of the walls. Then he looked
back at the door, and stared dunn
founded. 1t was the mysterious cup
board OF which Phyllis had spoken to
him, but nothing he had imagined from
her words had prepared him for the
reality. 1t seemed to be literally cram
med to overlooking with the most
priceless loot. Gold vessels of fantas-
tic and beautiful shapes Uttered the
floor: while on the shelves were ar
ranged the most wonderful collection
of precious stones, which shone and
scintillated in the electric light till
their glitter almost blinded the
watchers.
The pearls were carefully placed in
a position Of honor, and for a few
moments Lexington stood gloating
over his collection.
ado you see them, Captain Drum
mond?" he asked quietly. Each thing
obtained by my brain-my hands. All
mine-mine !" His voice rose to a
shout. "And you pit your puny wits
against me-" With a laugh he crossed
the room, and once more pressed the
studs. The door swung slowly to and
closed without a sound. while Laking-
ton still shook with silent mirth.
"And now"--he resumed, rubbing his
hands-"we will prepare your bath,
Captain Drummond. And while ii is
getting ready, we will just deal with
the chauffeur who neglected his or
,lers."
For a few minutes he bent over
the chemicals, and then he poured the
mixture into the water which half
filled the long bath at the end of the
room. about five minutes before
we're quite ready" he announced.
"Just time for the chauffeur"
He went to a s~peaking-tube. down
which he blew. Somewhat naturally
there was no answer, and darlington
frowned.
"a stupid fellow he remarked soft
ly. "But there is no hurry; l Will
deal with him later"
Lakington returned to the chair
which contained, as he thought, his
chief enemy, and was standing beside
it with an unholy JOY shining on his
face.
"And since | have to deal with him
later, Captain Drummond, d. s. O.,
M. c., 1 may as well deal with you
now. Then 1t will be your friends
turn. l am going to cut the ropes,
and carry you, while you're so numbed
that you can't move, to the bath. Then