Evening journal., 1922-09-23

MES.
De Lorgnes is murdered by Dupont
and later. In Paris. Lanyard finds the
countess. He learns that her rea
LANE DELoRME and believes sh,
has the jewels.
CHAPTER XIV
The Vampire and the Jewels
Lanyard left Athenais at hei
apartment and Immediately followed
her directions TO the house of Lame
It stood four-square and massive
on corner between the avenues dc
Friedland ct des Champs Elysees. 6
solid stone pile of town-house in
the most modern mode.
Heavy gates of wrought bronze
guarded the front doors. The sin
gle side or service door was slmi.
larry protected II more simply. And
stout grilles Of bronze barred every
window on the level of the street.
Tomorrow night would .be too
late. Tonight, If there We're any
warrant for his suspicious. the
Jewels Of Eve de Montalais lay in
the dwelling of Lame Delorme: or
if they were not there, the secret
of their hiding was.
But tomorrow Lame would be on
the wing; or Lanyard had been
sorely mistaken in seeing in her as
badly frightened a woman as he
had ever known. when she had
learned OF the assassination OF de
Lorgnes.
He must adventure the conse-
quences.
Poised to leave his shelter with
his point of attack selected, he
checked and fell back into the shad
ow. Something was happening in
the house across the way.
A man had opened the service
door and paused behind the bronze
gate.
Following little wait. It swung
slowly out. perhaps eighteen inches,
the man advancing with II and again
hating 10 peer up and down the
street. Then quickly, as II alarmed,
he withdrew
Listening intently. Lanyard heard
no click OF latch such as should
have. been audible in that dead hour
of hush. Evidently the fellow had
neglected TO make fast the gate.
What was he up to? Why this
furtiye appearance. why the retreat
so abruptly executed?
BY way OF answer came the soft
drona OF a high-powered motor.
Before the corner house Il stopped.
A iackey alighted with an umbrella
but LANE Delorme would not wait
for him. The car had not stopped |
when she threw the door open: on /
the Instant when its wheels ceased /
to turn she jumped down and ran
into the house.
Now II only 1t were true that the ]
man at the service-door had failed
to close it securely
II proved so. The gate gave readi-
ly 10. Lanyard's pull The knob OF
the small door turned silently. He
stepped across the threshold. and
shut himself into an unlighted hall.
To-one side broad flight of stairs
ascended: Lanyard went up with the
activity OF a cat, making no more
noise.
The second floor proved to be de-
voted mainly TO a drawing room, a
lounge. and library. all furnished
In a weird, inehoate sort OF magnih-
cence with money rather than with
taste. If one might Judge fairly by
the htful and guarded beam OF the
torch.
Lights were burning on the floor
above. and a rumor OF feminine
voices drifted down, interrupted by
an occasional sibilant rustic OF silk,
o. a brief patter OF high-heeled feet: !
noises which bore out the conjecture /
that madame's maid was undressing |
and Putting her to bed.
A change in the tenor OF the talk |
between mistress and maid was con-
veyed by a sudden lift of half an |
octave In the latter's voice. sounding |
a sharp note OF protest. to be an
swered by Lame in accent of over
bearing anger.
One simply could not rest without |
Knowing what that meant: Lanyard |
mounted the second flight OF stairs |
as swiftly, surely and soundlessly
as he had the first. Just below a
landing he paused. crouching low,
his head lifted just enough to per-
nit him TO see a section OF glowing
rose-pink wall-it would be rose
pink
He could see nothing more; and
Lame had already reduced the maid
to responses feebly submissive
And why should you not go with
me to that America II I wish it?"
Lanyard heard her say. rs it likely |
i would leave you behind to spread |
scandal concerning me with that
Cabling tongue in your head?"
1T is well. madame. I say no
more. will 60"
Fetch my jewel-case-the large
one.
MADAME takes all her Jewels,
them" the maid inquired. moving
about the room.
But naturally. / shall pack them
tonight, before 1 Sleep"
('Damnationi'-f LANYARD.
beneath his breath. More delayD |
And we leave tomorrow, ma
dame, at what timer"
1t matters not. so we are in Cher
oourg by midnight"
Lanyard slipped like a shadow to
he floor below. and took shelter be-
lind a jog IN the wall
The maid came down, carrying an
iectric candle. Its rays illumined
rom below one OF those faces OF
rude come1inese. She hesitated
y 4