The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-04-28

"The cook and butler were here
besides we had visitors-Cnptai7
Lowry and his sister. Madame Je-
vonne. Most distinguished both--that
is the hardest part of it-of course.
they left after insisting on being
searched, trunks and everything. As
If they could be suspected-but Ar
thur-my husband, said 1t was only
right and proper"
"Well, Ma'am-I like the place-but
I cain't stay on wild you, less'n you
lemme sleep out-I got friend lives
| jes' little piece off," Em-Smith said
after ruminant ten seconds. "Som'pD
else mought happen-you got SO much
fine wealthy plunder-my crackter IL
the mos I've got-so l don't mean ter
| git any smears on hit"
| Mrs. Dent objected violently-but.
spent and nerve-wracked, give in ut
last. Two hours later she was gfad-
Em-Smith almost magically had
brought order out of chaos-had min
istered to her personal needs in the
most soothing fashion, withal deft.
Then she had counseled: you better
sleep-a long, nice nap" and vanished
after tucking fiuffs of eiderdown about
the tremulous figure on the couch by
the window.
A butler, several shades lighter than
herself, bade her tidy up the guest
chambers, still In wild confusion. AT
the door he volunteered: "Ef them
'tectives had a-asked me could a-told
'em somp'n."
"Whut somp'n?" Em-Smith asked.
He wagged his head solemnly. IT'D
cut short thar job" he said oracular-
ly. $50 I'd a-got no thanks frum no
body-madame hates her stepson like
pizen-but she'd hate worse ter see
him in stripes-and the Master Lor-
dy, he'd a-kilt me eff hadn't run"
$50 you think that boy" EN-
Smith began looking away.
'I knows-he wus down in town the
day before-never come fer nOthin'
but money-and his papa was gone
Madame wouldn't talk to him even
over the phone"
Better run along-I got no time
fer talk" Em-Smith said brusquely
setting to work like a whirlwind. But
in spite of speed she took note of
small things and great. And when
she left the house around II o'clock
she was smiling over things well done.
go straight to Dad. Curtis-you
owe it to the name." she said little
later to tall fellow who waited for
her at the side gate. "Tell him his
wife is only foolish, not wicked
yet. She let Lowrie take her jewels
to make him pay reward that would
cover her bridge debts to him and
his sister-and leave something over
for debts of his own. Moths isn't
just a hunch His bed has been lain
on. but not slept in-you can tell by
the different feel of the linen. Then
l found up the chimney throat roll
of burnt paper-with the inside one
half legible-a note signed with her
name. There was long-distafce call
while she sept-I wouldn't let the
butler wake her-answered it myself.
1t wasn't Lowry-his valet instead.
My niger talk SO reassured him he
gave message-it was Good news!
Felice returns tomorrow, in tri-
umph'"
mot If l I,can help it-she must have
known" Curtis Dent interrupted.
"Of course-but you'll be foolish to
interrupt--don't you see. she is coming
to reclaim the treasure-it's hidden
somewhere about-they never dared
take 1t away. Let her cOme-call of
the detectives-Tm to stay on. week
maybe-Madame likes my touch. And
so I'll have a chance to be In at the
DEATH"
"You shan't-1 can't stand it-hav-
ing you there amongst servants" Cur
tbs broke in, slipping his arms around
her.
you'll have to-goosey," she WINS
pered back. UNLESS we can turn sur
mise to proof actual they will end by
| putting the robbery on you"
"That is why you" Curtis be-
| gan, holding her tighter. Trembling
little, she freed herself and ran from
him. happy and miserable in the same
breath.
Three nights later she waited pa
tiently outside the back gate until
moondown and chicken crow marked
the small hours. Curtis kept her com
any-low-crouched they saw Felice
slip out. run down the patch. dart into
the woods. reappear clasping to her
a huge hornets nest. She whistletl
shrill but low. an auto answered her
and she began running to the highway !;
but Curtis and Em-Smith were at her
heels. A headlight flashed intermit-
tently. Lowry himself was in wait
Before the woman reached him Curtis
caught her fast. Em-Smith snatched