, 1922-10-26
Continued From Yesterday.
EPISODE NINE
Tho Forest and MIR. Sard.
CHAPTER L

CHAPTER 1.
When at last lose ouintana had
secured what he had been after for
years, his troubles really began.
In his pocket he had two million
dollars worth OF gems. including the
Flaming Jewel
But he was IN tbe middle of a wild
erness hinged in by hostile men. and
Obliged TO rely for aid on a hanCcui
of tho most desperate criminals In
Europa
Another matter worried Jose Quin.
tana: he was not only short on pro
visions. but what remained WIS each
ed In Drowned Valley; and Mike
Clinch and his men were guarding
every outlet to that sinister region,
excepting only the rocky and sub
merged tra by which he had made
his exit.
Now. how to keep his loot. how to
get back to Europe with 1t, was the
problem hat confronted Quintana
after robbing Darragh. And he de-
termined to settle part of that ques-
ton at once.
About five miles from Harro6
Place. within q hundred rods Of which
he lad held up Hal Smith. Quintana
halted seated himself on a rotting
log. and waited until his men came
up n gathered around him.
For a little while. in utter silence.
his keen eyes travelled from one Wis
age to the next. from Henri Picquet
to Victor G~eorgiades, to Sanchez, to
Sard. His intent scrutiny focused on
Sard; fingered
II there wers anybody he might
trust, a little way. it wou.d be Sard.
Then a polite. untroubled smile
smoothed tine pale, dark features of
Jose Q%uintana:
'Bien, messieurs. the coup hfs
been success. Yes? Yer well; in
turn. then, en- accord with our Gus
tomb L 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
capitaine. eet ees YER simple. We
are five. Therefore. divide into five
re gems. After zat each one for
himself to make his way out
mick salzar and Harry Beck are
in the Drowned Valley" interrupted
ouintana.
Picquet shrugged again; Sanchez
laughed. saying: III they are there
it is their misfortune. Also, we 9TH
ers are in a hurry"
PIcquet added: "Also five shares are
sufficient division"
1T is propose. then, Ne
abandon our comrades and ---r to
the rifle of Mike Clinch?"
why not?" demanded Georgiades
sulIenly-"we shall have worse to
face before we see the Place de T.
Opera"
There remains. Eddie Alb
rams remarked Quintana.
Crooks never betray their attorney.
Everybody expressed a willingness TO
have the five shares Of plumber prop
eriy assessed to satisfy the fee duo
TO Mr.. Abrams.
VERY we'll" nodded ouintans,
are you satisfy, messieurs, TO divide
an disperse?"
Sard said. heavily. that they ought
to stick together until they arrived
IN New York.
Sanchez sneered. accusing Sard of
wanting q bodygurd to escort him to
his home. IN this accused forest
ho insisted, five of us would attract
attention where one alone, with SUIT
fIcient stealth. can slip through into
tho open country"
Two by two is better" said Pic
quet. you, Sanchez. shall travel
alone IL you desire"
divide the gems first" growled
Georgiades. land hsn let ach do what
pleases him.
That" nodded ouintana, 'is also
my opinion. 1. is so settle. Atten'
tom Two pistols were in his hands
as by magic. With a slight smile he
aid them on the moss beside him.
He then spread a large. white band
ksrchief on the ground: and from
his rockets. he poured out the viittcr.
ing cascade. Yet. like a feeding pan
Their. every sense remained alcr- q
;he slightest sound or movement else
whc-c; and when ficorgiades g-unte,
from excess emo'i,i.. ouinsleai
right hand held a pistol before tn
grunt had ceased.