Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-09-22
Go On With the Story
XIV

-
The Vampire and the Jewels
Lanyard left Athenais at her APP
artment and Immediately follow
ed her directions to the house OF
Lame.
It stood four-square and massive
on a corner between the avenues de
Friedland ct des Champs-Elysees,
a solid stone pile Of q town house
in the most modern mode.
Heavy gates Of wrought bronze
guarded the front doors. The single
side or service door was similarly
protected if more simply. And trout
grilles of bronze barred every win
dow on the level Of the street.
Tomorrow night would Q too late.
Tonight, If there were any warrant
for his suspicious, the jewels of Eve
de Montalais lay in the dwelling of
Lame Delorme; or If they were not
there, the secret of their hiding was.
But tomorrow Lame would be on
the wing: or Lanyard had been sore
ly mistaken in seeing in her as bad
ly frightened a woman as he had
ever known, when h had learned
Of the assassination of de Lorgnes.
He must adventure the conse-
quences. -,
Poised to leave his shelter with
his point of attack selected, he
checked and fell back into the sha-
dow. Something was happening IN
he house across the way.
A man had opened the service
loor and paused behind the bronze
gate.
Following a little wait, 1t swung
slowly out. perhaps eighteen inches
the man advancing with 1t and again
hating to peer UP and down the
street. Then quickly, as If alarmed.
ne withdrew.
Listening ~intently, Lanyard heard
no click of latch, such as should
have been audible in that dead hour
of hush. Evidently the fellow a
neglected to make fast the gate.
What vas he up to? Why this
furtive appearance. why the retreat
SO abruptly executed? :.
BY way of answer came the soft
drone of a high-powered motor.
Before the corner house 1t stopped.
A Iackey alighted with an umbrella
but Lame Delorme would not wait
for him. The car had not stopped
when she threw the door open; on
the instant when its wheels ceased
to turn she jumped down and ran
into the house.
Now If only it were true that the
man at the service door had falleo
to close it securely!
It proved so. The gate gave readi-
ly to Lanyard's pull. The knob OF
he small door turned silently. He
stepped across the threshold, n
shut himself into an unlighted
To one side a broad fight of stairs
assembled: Lanyard went up with the
activity of a cat, making no more
noise.
:. The second floor proved to be de-
voted mainly to a drawing room, a
lounge, and a library. all furnished
in q weird, inchoate sort OF magnin-
cence, with money rather than with
taste. If one might judge fairly by
the fitful and guarded beam OF the
torch.
Lights were burning on the floor
above, and a rumor of feminine
voices drifted down, interrupted by
an occasional sibilant rustic of silk
or a brief patter of high heeled feet;
noises which bore out the conjecture
t.that madame's maid was undressing
SAND putting her to bed.
A change in the tenor of the talk
between mistress and maid was con-
viewed by a sudden lift of half an
octave in the latter's voice, sounding
a. sharp note of protest, to be an
Swered by Lame in accent of over
bearing anger.
One simply could not rest without
knowing what that meant; Lanyard
mounted the second flight Of stairs
as swiftly, surely, and ~soundlessly
as he had the first. Just below a
landing he paused, c%rouching low,
his head lifted just enough to per-
nit him to see a section of glowing,
rose-pink WALT would be rose
pink" g,
He could see nothing more; and
Lame had already reduced the maid
to responses feebly submissive.
"And why should YOU not go with
me to that America IL ! wish it?"
Lanyard heard her say. "Is it likely
T would leave you behind to spread
scandal concerning me with that
cabling tongue in your head?'
at is well. madame. l say no
more. l will 60"
"Fetch my jewel case-the large
one"
+ MADAME takes all her jewels.
then?" the maid inquired, moving
>Lout the room.
"Eut naturally. I shall pack them
tonight, before I sleep"
("Damnation!" from Lanyard,
. beneath his breath. More delay!)
land we leave tomorrow, madame.
ut what timer