Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-19
Hands unw he snapped.

Drayton and Carter whirled about,
their hands instinctively obeying the
command. On the dining table stood
% empty champagne bottles. and two
unopened. Also on the table stood
two large punch-bowls, filled almost
to their brins with wine.
X X X
4 T that moment a heavy voice
"A sounded at the front door. Cliff
ford knew that voice; it was the voice
of the man he had been hoping would
appear Quick, boys, behind that
screen"' he whispered, and instantly
he and the two Government men were
behind a high screen of mounted tap
estries that sheltered the door of the
buffers pantry. Clifford kept one eye
on the doorway of the dining room.
Almost at once, there appeared the
powerful figure of Bradley. Bradley
gaZed menacingly at Drayton and
Carter.
"You sweet pair, you" Bradley
sneered at them. $50 you tried to
double-cross me. But instead of my
split. take all. Get that. Drayton?"
Clifford stepped out from behind the
screen, pistol in hand. You stick
'em up, too. Bradley" he snapped at
his old enemy.
Bradley turned pale in his surprised
rage. but his hands went toward the
ceiling.
Search him, Rafferty," Clifford
continued. 'and go through the other
two also"
Rafferty, took an automatic from
Bradley and another from Carter.
Drayton was unarmed The three
were then permitted to lower their
hands.
j,Yct faIIipnr @Ta0,
ley" began Drayton. in a wavering
voice. that 1 was just preparing for
little party"
Sure, and l was one of your guests"
said Bradley, picking up the cue.
That's right. l guess l must be the
first to come. / think I get the idea
of this little situation. Rafferty,
thought some bootlegging was being
done and that 1t was his official job
to interfere"
Clifford did not heed him. liar.
ford. draw the cork of one of those
unopened bottles. Now pour the
Pour very slowly. for 1 think there
may be some dregs. Carefully, care
fully-stop! Now pour the dregs into
this glass"
With his left hand, Clifford held out
champagne glass. Hartford upended
the bottle and the dregs cascaded
clinkinglY into the glass, half filing
it-dregs that threw off every bril-
liant hue of the rainbow
Great heavens-diamonds" ejacu.
lated Hartford.
Just so--diamonds." said Clifford
Now open that second bottle"
Hartford obeyed. The dregs were |
another glass half filled with Jewels. |
you've got the direct evidence of |
how the trick was worked. Hartford" |
said Clifford. Now have a look at |
what was in the other g bottles" |
He showed forth that which until now |
he mad kept out of view, a smaller |
bowl heaped with coruscating light.
Diamonds" calculated Hartford.
Clifford turned sharply on Drayton,
now pasty-white, and on Bradley, who |
looked black defiance. "Bootlegging-
rum running. eh?" he snapped at |
them. Diamond smuggling This
explains the unusual quantity of dia-
monds in the hands of the trade"'
Till then Clifford had had eyes only
for Drayton and Bradley. Now he
glanced at the doorway In it stood
two women. Mary cried Clifford.
Marcia breathed Mr.. Drayton.
* X
MARY REGAIN stepped into the
room. her arm still about the
girl. Il think it's my turn TO say
she began. First let me
say that / have overheard most of |
what has been said. Second, let me
say to you, Mr.. Drayton," and her
dark eyes blazed at him, that your
daughter is not the incorrigible
haoitue of wild resorts that you told
me she was. but one of the simplest,
incest girls have ever met"
Mr.. Drayton gulped but did not
reply.
Marcia has told me everything"
Mary continued Her father told her.
he was in very serious danger and
only she could help him. She could
help him if she would secretly go
away and remain away few weeks in :
4 quiet place. When she returned {
mere was to be by way of eXplana- 4
non story of her having wandered {
off during lapse of memory. The |
)ld story which most people now ac-
'ept. TO save her father, Marcia con.
'eileu' She was driven at night to -,
ne mouse OF former nurse in the
atskllls. That's where / found her
While there she never saw n news. t
PAPER. and she's wholly innocent in Z
his business. There you have it an
ne entire mystery of the mysteriors ! c
ina sensational diSappea rance of d
Marcia Drayton. a mystery caca / c
ramed on the chance of framing me "
Drayton had slumped into a chair +
sllfford gripped his shoulder and q
hook him wrathfully How about v
t. Drayton?" he demanded. a
'Marcia--didn't know thing" 4
'roaned Drayton. "As for the rest b
III. Clifford. you We're right in what d
'ou said about my smuggling dia. a
nonds. l saw my chance OF making Il
millions. And the rest is that Mr..
'radley found out and forced me-" Il
Its lie!' screamed Bradley. Il
Cllnord moved in a pace nearer. 81
You are trapped in your own trap" II
e cried. Your criminal career is I'll
nded. I've smashed you at last. d.
radley--smashed you at last! For II
on III long. long term in prison." e.
Bradley giowered at C1irtord with Il
lack, choking hatred. Then his right IL
ana snatched the pistol from the un- a
Inspecting Rafferty, and his left hand fiji
not out to the light switch i'm
I've said I'd get you, Clifford" he as
houted. o.,
There was flash and a roar, and. CO
the same instant, the lights went m
Ut Clifford slumped down in a m
cap. o.
WHEN Clifford came to himself, he ! in
was In his own bed, and Mary sc
1t beside him. He blinked at her, 70
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