Evening star., 1926-09-21

That's still more serious for him,
for Somebody must have the rings.
No, he isn't going to kill her off yet.
Maybe hard to trace, though. He'll
get into Mexico and then it's the devil
to pay. Still, as 1 said before, you can
the motive behind this game. What
is it, big reward of some kind ?
Blackmail? Something connected with
you people, all right, isn't it?"
I'm afraid it is" Mr.. Burns re-
Piled 1.-The Reynolds family, like
many others, has a skeleton. Mr..
Reynolds was estranged from his
oldest son, and although he treated
him most handsomely in his will, in
| addition to previous settlements upon
| him, we have reason to think that
this son is about to make trouble, fore
| ing an additional sum of money from
| the estate rather than to reSurrect the
skeleton. Naturally we are all eager
to prevent such an occurrence. Mr..
Carr, a brother-in-law of Mr..
Reynolds and his law partner. is on
his way out here now"
This son is the Walter Reynolds
| who featured in your story?" the
chief inquired.
Yes. And there is one other point.
The will contains a codicil which is to
be opened in about 10 days. Reynolds
evidently is planning to spring some
thing at that time. We feel that this
! is part of his scheme"
Then a young girl might be used
you have reason to suspect-I'm
rather new in the city here, Mr.. Burns
but it seems to me that l recall an echo
of some startling events Of a few
years back-events that were hushed
up-am 1 right?"
,Jr..
"think it over and I'll be glad to talk
with you later at, my office, or if you
prefer. / can come back here. Well
leave you for the present; Hyatt and
1 have things of Importance to look
after. Thank you for your co-opera
ton. Come, Paul"
Nov them" Burns said, as the trio
emerged into the street, suppose you
go on to Santa Barbara, Paul. There
is nothing you can do here, and
| Cynthia wants to see you. This
affair has been mighty hard on you
| I'm sorry, my boy. It'd do any
thing in the world to help you--you
know that"
| Mr.. Burns" said Paul, Il want
YOU and Frank to understand that
am not going to give up this search
| for a single second. l know you both
| think I'm love-sick youth, caught
| by a pretty face, in a, quick infatuation.
I'm telling you once and for all that
| love this girl who has risked her
| life, perhaps given it, to save me from
| some unknown danger!-loved her
| before she made this sacrifice for me
| I love her doubly for 1t now, and il
| she is to be found on the face of
Gods earth I'm going to find her. if
! It takes the rest of my life. I'm not
going near Santa Barbara or anywhere
else. I'm going to my room and think
| this thing out. Then I'm going to
hunt that other ring. After that Ill
| go after the Salvation Army lasses.
I'll dine with you tonight anywhere
YOU say, but I want to be alone now.
The two members of the firm OF
Burns & Hyatt stood watching Paul
as he swung off down the street, and
J the older mans eyes were misty.
! Poor kid" he said. Poor Gym
| thia"'
"Burns-there's no chance at all.
, of course"
NO chance at all. Frank. Some
| new devilment of Walters, that's all.
Well sift it out. like all the rest"
The two men made their way back
to the office in silence, each absorbed
| in his own thoughts, while in his room
at the club Paul threw his hat upon
the bed, lit his pipe and sank into n
chair, his brows knit.
| An hour passed and he had not
, stirred Two hours. Still he remained
immoVable, lost in thought. The sun
. began it's downward course, shining
! full into the window. and Paul became
| conscious of the fact that he was
wearing his overcoat. He arose to pull
| it off. His hand strayed into his
pocket and halted there, then came
! rushing out again. clasping a tiny
chamois bag, sewed tightly together
and with a cry Paul reached for his
pen knife.
Beads of perspiration stood out
upon his brow as he cut the threads
and let his fingers slip into the bag.