Evening star., 1924-07-24
RIPPING RUBY
A Thrilling Mystery Story
By ]. S. FLETCHER

Copyright, 1874. g G. P. rut..n.. Sons.

and went off to find Cheng. I found
him-in Paris. And 1 persuaded him
to sell all his and his friends rights
paid him forty thousand pounds.
signed in Chinese and in English
And so the ruby's mine.-mine.-and
Ripping Ruby will wear 1t tomor-
| row as her mascot. / stand to win
Ruby
She suddenly pushed the belt of
green leather across the table to-
ward Peggie.
you'll put that round her neck
| when she's saddled tomorrow after
| noon, Peggie Manson" she said in
her old imperious manner. 'Then-''
Miss Hepple rose from her seat
| quickly.
'If you leave that thing in this
house tonight, Lady Renardsmere,
out Of this house 1 go. and my niece
! with me" she said quietly. II won
der that you can ask any decent per-
| SON to look at it, much less handle
1t! There's blood!-lives and men,
on it.. Peggie!-not a finger near it,"
I've no intention, Aunt Millie."
| said Peggie. IT wouldn't touch it for
all that Lady Renardsmere gave for
it,
Peyton gave me a kick under the
table. l knew what he meant Put
TO be a row between the three women.
And one of them, jim our masculine
| opinion, II not wholly mad, was as
mad as halter on one point. But
did the other two fully realize it?
1 took a furtive glance at Lady
Renardsmere. The strange glitter
had gone out of her eyes, and she
looked, suddenly. her old masterful
ordinary self. Once more she pushed
the green belt closer to Peggie.
no
when she runs tomorrow" she said.
You'll pit it on her when Medder-
fead,s Ids ~ up" ,,s , ,,
Il will not"
Lady Renardsmere began to drum
the table with her jeweled fingers.
She always wore a Tot of rings, but
that night she was wearing more
than usual, and the diamonds flashed
and glittered as her hands moved.
NO, I'm not!" retorted Peggie.
I'm your trainer! But I'll be no
party to your horse carrying that
beastly thing: There-that's fat"
from the stiff, rigid figure. Suddenly
Lady Renardsmere turned to me-
"Cranage!-tell this girl she's a
fool"
yon "Yo~ said aid firmly yia She isnt %
Then" she twisted round on Pey-
| ton and gave him a steady stare, to
which he just as steadily responded.
You lock like man of common
sense, you American" she said. Talk
sense TO these people-'
! Peyton clasped hts hands on the
table in front Of him. and sitting
bolt upright, gave Lady Renardsmere
a long. calm look.
Well. If you've no objection, Lady
Renardsmere." he said quietly, I'll
! q tn
| You're aware. by your own confess
sion, that lives have already been
taken by the Chinaman, Chuh Sin, in
his efforts to get that thing back.
a fourth to add-your solicitor, Pen
nithwaite. And-the Chinaman's at
hand! He looked through that very
| window not two hours ago. And If
advise Miss Manson to stick to what
she's just said. and have nothing to
do with that ruby-Its accursed!"
| II will have nothing TO do with it"'
said Peggie, firmly. "rll give up all
| and her stable first! That's final"
was scarcely prepared for what
followed. But suddenly, and with an
agility which would have done credit
to a younger woman. Lady Renards-
steps to the door. unlocked 1t. and
turning to the electric bell at it's side.
pressed the button. Within half a
| minute Joycey stood before her. She
swept her hand round at the rest
| Of US.
| "Joycey, turn all these people out
of my house!" she said in sharp. firm
tones. Every one! out they go! Give
them ten minutes to pack their
things, and then-out"
my LADY," said Joycey in his soft
| est tones. IF your lAdyship-"
| do as I tell you" she stormed.
| "Out!-the whole lotr'
| Then, snatching up the green belt
from the table, she thrust 1t into her
| gown, and walking out into the hall
| to the two big men. motioned them
to follow her into another room. All
three disappeared.
We lost no time in obeying Lady