The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-11-03
CHAPTER III


all around him ran dogs-big. pow
erfuI dogs. built Ike foxhounds but
with the rough, wiry coats of Aire-
daI-s. even rougher OF ear AMI fea-
lures.
He had been seated there for ten
minutes possibly. with his tired dogs
lying around him. when just above
him he saw a State Trooper emerge
from the woods on foot, carrying a
rife over one shoulder.
Jack" he called in a guarded
voice.
Trooper Stormont turned. caught
sight of Darragh, made a signal Of
recognition, and came toward him.
Darragh said: Your mate, Troop
er Iannis. IS down stream. I've two
Of my own game wardens at the
crossroads. two more on the Ghost
Lake Road, and two foresters and
an inspector out toward Owl Marsh"
Stornont. nodded, looking down at
the dogs.
What are they. Jim?"
"Otter-hOunds." said Darrah. "a
breed of my own - But that's
all they are capable OF hunting, I
guess" he added grimly
StormOnt's gaze questioned him.
We'll" said Darragh, Il left my
Two guests at HarrOd Place to amuse
each other, got. out three couple Of
my otter-hounds and started them
rs I hoped and supposed-on Quin-
tana's trail"
What happened?" inquired Stor-
mont curiously.
we'll don't know. I think they
were following some of Quintana's
gans-fOr a while anyway. After
that. God knows-deer. hare. cotton
tall don't know. They yelled their
bally heads off on the run-they're
slow dogs, you know-and whatever
they We're after either fooled them or
there were too many trails.
made mistake. that's all. These
poor beasts don't know anything ex-
cept an otter. I just hoped they might
take Quintana's trail if I put them
On it."
They had been walking for twenty
minutes, possibly. exchanges scarcely
a word. and they were now nearing
the billy basin where Star Pond lay.
when Darragh said abruptly:
I'm going to tell you about 5hings.
Jack. You've taken my word so far
that It's al right"
Naturally" said Stermont simply.
The two men. who had been brother
officers in the great war. glanced 1T
each other. slightly smiling.
Hero is -,s7
When 7 was on duty in RIGA for the
intelligence department, I met two
ladies' in dire distress. whose mansion
had been burned and looted, supposed
" by the Bolshev1kI
They We're actually hungry and
penn-less; the only clothing thev
possessed they We're wearing. These
ladies We're the Countess Orion
Strelwitz, and a young girl. Theo-
dOrlcay Grand Duchess Of Esthoufa.
did what I could for them.
After while. I found out that the
crime had been perpetrated by Jose
Quintana's gang Of International
crooks masqUerading as BolsheviEi.'
Stounont nodded; q also came
across similar cases" he remarked.
We'll this was a fragrant example
Quintara had burnt the chateau and
had made off with over two million
dollars worth Of the little Grand
Duchess's jewels among them the
famous Erosite gem known as The
Flaming Jewel"
I've been after him ever since.
But Jack, until this morning
Quintana did not possess these stolen
jewels. Clinch didr'
What"
'Clinch served overseas in O. for
estry regiment. In Paris he robbed
Quintana Of these jewels. That's why
I've been hanging around Cunch."
Stormont's face was flushed and
incredulous. Then 1t lost color as
he thought OF the Jewels that Eve had
concealed-tbe gems for which she
had risked her life 49,.
He said: But you tell me Quin-
tana robbed YOU this morning"
He did. The little Grand Duchess
and the Countess Orlof-S terlwitz are
my guests at HarrOd Place.
Last night I snatched the case
containing these gems from Ouin-
tana's fingers. This morning. as I
offered them. to the Grand Duchess,
Quintana coolly stepped between
us"
His voice became bitter and his
features REDEEMED with rage poorly
controlled:
BY God, Jack, should have shot
Quintan2 when the opportunity Of
fered. Twice I've had the chance.
The next time I shall kill him any
way can. Legitimately"
of course" said Stormont grave
". But his mind was fun Of tho
Jewels which Eve had What and
whose were they-if Quintana again
had the Esthonian gems in his pas
session.
A few minutes later. as they came
out among the willows and alders on
the northeast side Of Star Pond, StOr-
mont touched his comrades arm.
Look al that enormous dog-otter
out there in the laker'
And now the hounds, unleashed. /
lifted frantic voices. The very sky
seemed full Of the discordant tumult:
wood and shore reverberated with
the volume Of convulsive and dis
sonant baying.
Damn it." said Darragh. disgust
ed, that's what they've been trail
ing all the while across-woods- that
deviHsh dog-otter yonder. And
I had hoped they We're on Quintana's
trail"