Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-24

LAR AIN fHANClS NEWCOMBE, ex-
officer in the great war. who breaks
into society. but who is really
Shadow Varne. noted figure of under
world. and in charge Of various big
steals that have set London agog.
PAUL. CREMARRE noted French
the back waters of the war, along
with
RUNNELLs. a valet, who has done
some big th1fts on his own account.
THE FOURTH sTRAGGLER, who
hears the crooks agree to combine
after the armistice and who disap-
POLLY wIcKEs. a fower-girl, whom
Newcombe has adopted and sent TO
America to a. finishing school. with
the idea of insuring social contacts
of the best before he leaves England,
after executing some big hauls. She
DORA MARLIN. daughter Of an eccen-
trio millionaire, and her guest on a
big show place on the Florida keys.
MR. MARLIN. the mad magnate. has
buried more than half a million dol
lars. the existence of which New
combe learQs inadvertently from
his beautiful ward.
HOWARD LOCKE, son Of big bust
ness man, who takes NeWcombe and
Runnells to Florida on his steam
launch. He falls in love with Polly.
There was no sound from within.
Softly he began to turn the door
handlc-the door would hardly be
locked; that would be a misplay;
ono didn't lock ones bedroom door
when n guest in a private house.
No; 1T was not locked. He had the
door aiar now. Again he listened.
There was still no sound from with
in Was the man back yet, or not?
Tho absence of any sound meant
nothing, save that NcwCombe was
his suite-he might easily. however,
be in either the bathroom or the
bedroom beyond.
Locke swung the door a little
wider open. stepped through and
closed it noiselessly behind him.
Again he stood still, his revolver
now outthrust a little before him.
The moonlight played across the
floor. 1t disclosed an open door be-
You'd. Still no sound.
Locke moved forward. He could
see into the bedroom now. The
bed was not only empty but had
not been slept in. He turned quick
~ and opened the bathroom door
The bathroom, too. was empty.
Captain Francis Newcombe had
not then, as yet returned With
grim smile Locke thrust his revolver
into his pocket. 1t was perhaps
just as well-the time while he
waited might possibly he used to
very good advantage. Captain
Francis Newcombe's baggage was
invitngly at ones disposal-the
Talofa, with its confined quarters,
and where, on the little vessel. 1t
was always crowded. as it were.
Locke opened one of the bags.
His smile now had changed to one
of irony. Barring any other Justi-
f1cation. turn about was no more
than fair play. was it? He pos
sessed a moral certainty, If he
lacked the actual proof. that Cap
tain Francis Newcomhe had not
hcsitated to invade his. Locke's
cabin on the liner and so through
his. Locke's effects.
There was little light, but Locke
worked swiftly by the sense of
touch. with fingers that ignored the
general contents. and that sought
dexterously for hidden things. His
fingers traversed every inch Of the
lining Of the bag, top, bottom and
sides. He disturbed nothing.
Presently he laid the bag aside,
and started on another-and sud-
uen'N ne nodded his head Sharply IN
satisfaction. This one was what
was generally known as a Gladstone
bag. and under the lining at one
side his fingers felt what seemed
like folded paper that moved
under his touch. The lining was
intact, of course. but there must be
some way Of getting in under
meath it-yes. here it was. Rather
clever. And ordinarily quite safe
unless one were actually looking
1or something of the Sort
There was a flap. or pocket, at the
side Of the bag. the ordinary sort of
thing. and at the bottom of the flap
Iocke's fingers, working deftly.
found that the edges of the lining,
While apparently fastened together,
We're made. in reality, into double
fold-the lining being stiff enough,
even when the edges were displaced.
to fall back Of it's own accord into
place again.
He separated the edges now,
worked his fingers into the opening.
and drew out an envelope. 1t had
been torn open at one end. and there
was prescription of some sort
on 1t in faded writing which, in the
semidarkness, he could not make
out. He stood up, and went quickly