The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-10-18
CHATTER III.

When Quintana disappeared
among the tamaracks, Leverett
yentured TO rise TO his knees. AS
ne croucheed there, peering after
Quintana, q man came swiftly out
" the forest behind him and near.
~ stumbled over him.
Recognition was instant and mu.
ttal as the man jerked the trap.
roberto his feet, sitting the NUT.
He'd yell IN his throat.
II want that packet you picked
up on Cllnch's reranda," said Hal
Smith.
M.my Cod" stammered Leverett.
sQuintana Just took 1t Oh mo. He
amt been gone minute"
Yotf let" i.
4 amt lyin'. Look at his foot.
marks there in tho mud!"
'Quintana!"
''Yaas, .Qutntana! He TUX my
gun, too"
which way!" whispered Smith
hercely, shaking Leverett till his
Jaws wagged.,
Drowned Valley Lemme
looseiI1'm chokin'-"
s; Smith pushed him aside.
you rat" he said, II you're ~.
ing to me Ill come back and settle
your affair. And Kloon's, too"
Quintana shot Jake and stuck
him into sink.hole!" spiveled
Leyerett, breaking down and sob.
hing; OH Gawd-Gawd-he's
down under all that black mud with
3 hiS brains spillin' out"
But Smith was already gone, run.
ming lightly along the string OF foot.
prints which led straight away
3 across slime and sphagnum toward
the head Of Drowned Valley.
In the first clump OF hardwood
trees Smith saw Quintana. He had
halted and he was fumblIng at the
Irvine which bound q, flat, paper.
wrapped packet.
He did not start when Smiths
sharp warning struck his ear:
Don't move! I've got you over my
rifle. Quintana!"
Quirtana's fingers had instantly
ceased operations. Then, warily,, he
lifted his head and looked into the
inuzzie Of Smiths rifle.
All bahi" ne said TRANQUILITY,
Therc were three Of you, then"
Lay that packet on the ground"
Ny frien'-"
Drop 1t or I'll drop you!"
Quintana carefully placed the
packet on a bod OF vivid moss.
Now your gpn!" continued
Smith,
Qntntana shrugged and laid Lev
serett's rifle beside the packet.
iSneels down with your hands up
and your back toward met" satd
Smith.
tsaiys frien'-"
Down. with Sou!"
Qnintana dropped gracefully into
the shumiliating attitude popularity
indicative Of prayerful suppllcation,
Smith walked slowly up behind him,
lrelieyed him OF two automatIcs and
asdirk.
Stay put" he snId sharply. as
QGintana started to turn his head.
Then he picked up the packet with
ts sloosened string, slipped It into
his side pocket, gathered together
the arsenal which had decorated
Quintana, and So. loaded with
weapons, walked away O. few PAGES
AVID seated himself on a fallen log.
Here he pocketed both automat.
les showed the sheathed dirk into
shis belt, placed the captured rifle
handy, after examining the maya.
zine, and laid his own weapon
across his knees.
You may turn around now, Quln.
stana," he said amiably.
Quintana lowered his arms and
Started to rise.
! sit down." said Smith.
Quntana' seated himself on the
moss, facing Smith.
y Now, my gay and nimble thin.
blertgger," said Smith genially,
While I take ten minutes rest
Ven have little polite conversa.
ton. Or, rather, a mouologue. Be.
cause 7 don't want to hear anything
he settled himself comfortably
ION thellog:
Let me assemble for you, Senior
sQuintana, the interesting history Of
1.-THE Jewels which so sparklingly re.
spose 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 Highness the
Grand Duchess Theodorica of Es.
thonia.
Very interesting. Moro interest.
ms still+along comes Don Jose
Qnintana and his celebrated gang
Of International thieves, and steals
from the Grand Duchess Of Els.
thonta the Flaming Jewel and all
her rubies, emeralds and diamonds,
Certainly" said Ouintano With