The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-11-01
EPISODE NINE
The Forest and Mr.. Sard
CTTA DTT-T1


secured what he had been after for
years his trouble really began.
In his pocket he had $4,000, 900 worth
of gems, including the Flaming Jewel
But he was in the middle Of a vii
derness rlnged IN by hostile men, and
obliged to rely for aid on a handful
of the most desperate criminals in
Europe.
Another matter worried Jose Quin-
tana; he was not only short Oh pro
visions, but what remained was cached
in Drowned Valley; and Mike Chnch
and his men were guarding every out
let to that sinister region, excepting
only the rocky and submerged tran,
by which lie had made his exit
Now, how to keep his loot; how TO
get back to Europe with 1t, was the
problem that confronted QUintana,
after robbing DarTagh, And he de-
ternined to settle part Of that quas.
ton at once,
About five miles from Harrod Place
within a hundred rods Of which he
had held up Hal Smith, Quintana halt
ed. seated himself on a rotting log,
and waited until his men came UP
and gathered around him,
For a little while, In utter silence,
his keen eyes Travelled from one visage
to the next, from Henri PicQuet to
Victor Georgiades. to Sanchez, TO Sard.
lis intent scrutiny focused on Sard
fingered.
II there were anybody he might
trust, a little way, It would be Sard.
Then a polite, untroubled smile
smoothed the pale. dark features of
Jose Quintana:
"'Blen, messieurs, the coup has been
success. Yes? Yer well; in turn,
then, en- accord with our custom, 1
shall dispose myself to listen to your
good advice"
He looked AT Henri Picquet, smiled
and nodded invitation To speak.
Picquet shrugged; For me. mon
capltaine. eet ees YER simple. We
are five. Therefore. divide into five
- gems. After Eat, each one for
himself TO make his way out"
Nick Salzar and Harry Beck are
~ the Drowned Valley" interrupted
Quintana.
PicqUet shrugged again. SANCHEZ
laughed. saying: If they are there
it is their misfortune. Also, we others
are in a hurry"
Picquet added: Also five shares
IRE sufficient division"
1T is propose, then. that we
atandOn our comrades Beck and
Salzar TO the rife Of Mike CIinch?"
Why not?" demanded GeorEiades
sullenly-''we shall have worse to
face before we see the Place de
rOpera-"
There remains. also. Eddie
ABRAMS remarked Qulntana
Crooks never betray their attorney.
Everybody expressed a willingness to
lave the five shares Of plumber prop
crly assessed to satisfy the fee due to
SIR Abrams.
Yer well" nodded Quintana. ARE
YOU satisfy, messieurs. TO divide an
disperse?"
Sard said. heavily, that they ought
20 stick together until they arrived
in New York.
SANCHEZ sneered, accusing Sard Of
wanting % bodyguard to escort him
10 his own home. In this accursed
forest" he insisted. five Of US would
attract attention where one alone.
with sufficient stealth. can slip
through into the open country
Two by two is better" said Pic.
quet. You, Sanchez. shall travel
alone II YOU desire"
Divide the gems fsst. growled
Georgiades, "and then let each do
what pleases him"
That" nodded Quintant. is also
my opinion. It is so settle. Atten-
tion,' Two pistols were in HIS hands
as by magic. With a slight sm.se he
laid them on the moss beside him.
He then spread a large white hand
kerchief on the ground: and. from his
pockets. he poured out the gIlttering
cascade. Yet, like a feeding panther.
every sense remained alert TO the
slightest sound or movement else
where; and when GeOrgiades grunted
from excess emotion. Quintana's right
hand held a pistol before the grunt
had ceased.
1t was serious business. this d.
vision Of loot; every reckless visage
reflected the strain Of the situation.
Quintana, both pistols I'm his heads,
looked down at the scintlTlaung heap
of Jewels.
II estimated two and one quartaire
million of dOllaires.'' he sad simplv.
1T has ben agree that accep' for
me the erosite gem known as the
Flaming Jewel. In addition. mes
sieurs. it has been agreed that / ac-
cep' for myself one part in five If the
remainder"
a fierce silence reigned. Every wolf
ISL eye was on the leader. He smiled.
rested his pair Of pistols on either
knee.
rs there" he asked softly, ANY
gentleman who shall object?"
Who demanded Ccorgiades
hoarsely. is "is to divide for u.s."
1T is for such purpose" explained
Quintana suavely. that my frien'.
Emanuel Sard has arrive. Monsieur
Sard is a brokaire of diamon's. as all
know YER well Therefore. it shall
be our frien' Sard who will divide for
us what we have gain today by our
industry"
The savage tension broke with a
laugh at the word chosen by Quin-
lana to express their efforts Of the
nnrnipg
I'D had been standing with one
at hand fiat against the trunk of
a tree. Now. at a nod from Quin-
tana. he squatted down and. with the
same hand that had been resting