Evening journal., 1922-10-19
CHAPTER III


rise to his knees. AS he crouche
there peering after ouintana. ma
came swiftly out of the forest be
hind him and nearly stumbled owe
him.
Recognition was instant and mu
tual as the man jerked the trap-rob
her 10 his feet. sitting the muffie'
yell in HIS throat.
u want that packet you picked VI
on clinch's versnda." said Ha
Smith.
@M-my Cod" stammered Leverett
"Quintana just took It of me. HI
amt been gone a minute"
"You liei"
Il amt lying Look at hts foot.
marks there in the mudw
"Quintsna"
YRas, Qulntanai He TUX my gun
too
which wayi" whispered Smith
hercely shaking Leverett hill his
jaws wagged.
Drowned Valley. 49,. Senne
loosel-pm chokin'-"
Smith pushed him aside.
you rat" he said II you're "
ing to me III come back and settle
your affair And Kloon's. too'
"Quintana shot Jake and stuck
him into a sink-holel" sniveled
Leverett. breaking down and sob
bing; oh. Gawd-gawd-he'
down under all that black mud with
his brains spilhn' out"
But Smith was already gone, run
IL . rs~ 80 >
prints which led straight away across
slime and sphagnum toward the
head of Drowned Valley.
In the hrst clump OF hardwood
trees Smith saw Quintana. He had
halted and he was fumbling at the
twine which bound a fiat, paper
wrapped packet.
He did not start when Smiths
sharp warning struck his ear:
Don't novel I've got you over my
rife. Quintanai"--
Qulntana's fingers had instantly
ceased operations. Then, warily, he
lifted his head and looked into the
muzzle OF Smiths rife.
-Ah. bahi" he said TRANQUILITY.
There we're three Of you, then"
Lay that packet on the ground"
MY frien'-"
Drop it or I'll drop youl"
Quintana carefully placed the
packet on bed Of vivid moss.
Now your guni" continued Smith.
Quintana shrugged and laid Lev
erett's rife beside tho packet
"Kneel down with your hands up
and your back toward mei" said
Smith.
MY frlen'-"
Down with you!"
Quintana dropped gracefully into
: the humillating attitude popularly
indicative OF prayerful supplication.
Smith walked slowly up behind him.
relieved him OF two automaties and
q dirk.
stay put" he said sharply, as
Quintana started 10 turn his head.
Then he picked up the packet with
its loosened string. slipped It into
his side pocket, gathered together
the arsenal which had decorated
ouintana, and so, loaded with wea-
pons. walked away a few PAGES and
seated himself on fallen log.
Here he pocketed both automatics.
showed the sheathed dirk into his
belt placed the captured rifle handy. |
after examining the magazine and
laid his own weapon across his
knees.
you may turn around now, ouin- /
tana.' he said amiably.
Quintana lowered his arms and I
started to rise.
tcff dor-,,f 10 eofa cr.f4r
Quintana seated himself on the
moss, facing Smith.
Now. my gay and nlmble thin
ple-rigger. said Smith genially.
while take ten minutes rest wen
have little polite conversation. or,
rather, a monoiogue. Because I
don't want to hear anything from
you
He settled himself comfortably on
the log
Let me assemble for you, senor
QuiDtana, the interesting history Of
the Jewels which so sparkingly re-
pose in the packet in my pocket.
In the first place, as you know, /
Monsieur Quintana, the famous
Flaming Jewel and the other gems
contained in this packet OF mine. |
Belonged to Her Highpess the Grand |
Duchess Theodorica OF Esthonia.
VERY interesting More interest
Ing still--along comes Don Jose
Quintsna and his celebrated gang Of
international thieves, and steals
from the Grand Duchess OF Es-
thonia the Flaming Jewel and all
her rubiee, emeralds and diamonds. /
Yes?"
Certainly" said Quintana. with
a polite inclination Of ackDowledg-
ment.
"Bon' Well, then, still more in
teresting to relate, a gentleman |
named Ciinch helps himself to these
famous jewels. How very careless
of you, Mr.. Quintana." :.
Careless certainly" assented
Quintana politely.
We'll" said Smith" laughing,
~C1inch was more careless still. The
robber baron, Sir Jacobus Kloon,
swiped--as Froissart has 1.-THE Es-
thonlan gemss and, under agreement
20 deliver them to you. I suppose,
thought bettsr sf It and attempted