Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-04-23
LOST LACE.
PART II.

uo"'' "hcH tecliS attention was at
tracted By tho near automobile acci-
dent.
When they had gained the street
Johnson said, That young fellow
looked suspicious to me. but maybe
1t was just my Imagination. Anyway.
don't get scared: he'll never know
where we've gone"
But suppose he follows us?" asked
Bolts.
Then know he won't trouble
u.s. answered johnson. drawing n
revolver from his pocket
IL wish this thing was done with.
I'm going to tell everything IL tho,
catch U.S. Not for my good. but for
the Kid here. Anybody knows she's
Innocent" said Belts In q broken
voice.
You start some OF your telling
and johnson drew the gun again,
ain't got to tell. I'll hear from those
people tomorrow and you'll be Il rich
man. Just stick II out"
Next morning Cecil was at tho
sherin's Office. and after explaining
everything to him they set out I'm
the direction of River Street, on
which street they walked about tw.
"Three doors r from the nsh store:
that must BIO the place" said Cecil,
pointing to small. weather worn
cottage.
"see\if you're right FIRST. I'll go
around the back. II you need any
help ahoot once" warned the sherifr
as no made hia way UP a small. dirty
allNy.
Taking his revolver out and exam
inlhS 1t. Cecil found II to be loaded
all aro@nh, 30 returning Il to his
coat pocket no proceeded to tho front
door OF the cottage and knocked;
but when shc saw who II was sho
uttered an Exclamation OF surprise
and began to withdraw. Ceci. waa
quicker than she was, though, and
pushing the door open ha entered n
poorly furnished room. but tidy and
clean. On entering there was no
other occupant than the girl; but
just then man appeared from
doorway opposite him and thon be-
gan to back out slowly. He halted
though. for Cecil called. Come on
in II you don't want TO got full OF
lead" and mt tho same time drawing
his revolver.
please don't shoot?" begged the
girl. with hands folded as in prayer.
Il Will II he tries any monkey
business. But first i want you TO
know why I'm here" answered Cecil.
why? Good Lord. man, It's plain
enough. 1 knew 1t was going to
happen though. Johnson's got TO
pay for this"
Johnson Where's Johnsong"
asked Cecil.
He's gone to tho telegraph office
to set telegram"
Just then the sheriff entered from
u near door. II see you got 'em."
ho said.
Yes, two OF 'em. The other ones
gone" anbwered Cecil.
Hes coming back. though. and
want to tell you how it. wasn't our
fault that the lace was stolen" an
swcred Belts.
stole the lace, eh? That saves me
the trouble of asking you so many
questions"
II said 'twant our fault Tha,
scoundrel of Johnsons the one.
IIe worked In the shipping depart
mont Mt the mills, and one day he
wrote me about shipment of lace I.
money. Ife said he would be here
that night. When he came he said
all we'd have to do was to let Lou
hero go in aud get the stuff and we
could wait on the outside. tried
to keep Lou out of 1t, but he said II
would be best. cause they'd never
suspect n girl"
W
you away. You see that vacant place
in your ring, wel!-listen, here
comes somebody now. You step into
that other room, sheriff. I'll stand
behind this door. You two act as II
nothing has happened ma I'll see
that you get out OF this Cecil
stepped behind the door Just as 1t
opened, and Johnson walked IN
leaving the door open.
"Everything's all right. Got tel
egram to send tho stuff on and they'd
send the check. Don't stand there
like dummies. let's got that lace and
sond her on" said johnson. walk
ing to the rear door.
"Bverything's all right. is it?'
cana a yoicc from behind Johnson.
When ito turned he faced Cecil.
who was standing with drawn re-
volvcr.. ,
nd like TO hear something from
you, Johnson" continued Cecil, with
emphasis on the last word.
Johnson evidently did mt want to
stay, for turning the Knob to the
door on which no was leaning, he
stopped abruptly. because standing
before him was tho sheriff. with re-
volver, raised.
walk back In there, IL YOU please"
said the sheriff mockingly.
Perhaps you can find time to an
swer few questions now" added
Cecil.
There's not much to answer. You
got me and my pals here. All we
can do Is co." answered Johnson.
mot much to answer? That being
the case think you'd better. hand
cuff that follow. sheriff, and take
him on. I'll take caro- Of his pals
and SEQ you later" said Cecil.
Tho sheriff soon had JOHNSON
handcuffed and tho two left tho
house.
Cecil turned to the man and girl
and said, II think you are both I'm n
way innocent. at least you're going
to be from now on. Your names
Belts. isn't it? And your daughters
We'll. L tell you. Seeing as you're
our friend. I'm going to tell you
something nobody knows. but me. It
was bout ten years ago when somo
guys got me into fix like this.
There was n high-to- do; family Nv
Ing In fdWnVilie that had pretty
lid. This rang apnfnd rhnr So -.