Evening star., 1928-08-01
THE EYE of LUCIFER

lsved them? She did not dare turn
about, but leaned with sttd pre-
tense Of preoecupstion above the pots, In
one water was lust beginning 10 boil.
Dullv she watched the tiny bubbles
waver up 10 the surface, "A watched
not" her mind told her fatuouSly. The
! footsteps came nearer, A board COM
! planned beneath them. She could not
/ stand this much longer. Desperately
she fought back the impulse 10 scream
A door slammed open violently,
/ Walker srunted in triumph, There
was a feeble scuffie, gasp.
She turned about now. They stood
In the doorway. The thick arms of the
police chief we're clapped about the
woman from behind! pinning hers TO
her sides. In his bear-iike grip she
appeared so fragile. so helpless. An
unreasoning t1roh OF sympathy stirred
the girl. Almost unwillingly she looked
into Ana Lyoff's face. The stark terror
she saw there frightened, her, the rigid,
mute despair Of the trapped animal.
She made no effort TO move. but ley.
almost relaxed, against the police
chiefs chest. seemingly sustained by
his clasp. Only her eyes stirred. They
were vide and black in her Sallow face
and ffickered here and there rapidly,
Esthers II them she read no hint Of
recognition.
Above the fur toQue the woman wore.
the broad face of Walker loomed like
the rising moon Immense self-Satis-
faction was upon IT, He shifted his
grip slightly and spoke to Esther,
Where's she hid this gum"
1T was. II was in her blouse front
the girl faltered.
she saw his arms swell as the big
muscles tightened. Ana Lyoff gave a
half-stiied cough
"I'll hold her" the chief proclaimed,
''find that gun"
She advanced unwillingly. The eyes
Of the captive did not meet hers. In
stead, they seemed fixed upon the stove
where the pot seethed and grumhled. She
eid not speak or finch as Esther opened
her coat and passed her hands along
the thin waist with its cruelty protu-
nerant bones, The bulk OF the pistol
itself seemed no more unyielding. The
girl drew II forth and held 1t ont to-
ward Walker.
stick 1t in my pocket" he ordered.
That's right Now then
He relaxed his grip and caught It
quickly again as Ana Lvoff sagged
toward the floor.
"Fsking." the chief diagnosed, but he
half carried her to chair and let her
down into IT, Then he stepped back
with q wide. fierce grin Not quite SO
smart as you thought you were, eh?"
he tainted.
Ana LvofT gave no sign that she had
heard She raised one hand feebly and
passed it over her brow. From the stair
way the child called: Esther, what bag
shall I take?"
The girl ran into the hall and saw
her sister leaning over the banister.
Nelly" she directed quickly. Il
want you to so To your room and stay
there Mind me. dear, And don't
come out until I call you. Remember" p"
She saw her small sister hesitate and
then climb back up the stairs. Walker
still stood above his captive when she
returned TO the kitchen, She was tren-
bling and her teeth chartered noisily
There's no use stalling now" Wal
ker clustered. Answer me"
For the first time, the woman spoke
She raised appealing eyes to Esther
and said in a shaking voice:
I'm Geld
Let her sit nearer the stove" Es-
ther begged and with an impatient
grunt Walker lifted the woman. chair
and all. and pumped, her down f1eav-
ily before the oven door.
Have you got that stone-a big,
green stone?" Esther asked
NO | haven't" the chief responded,
but I'm goin TO. Now listen" he said
turning % the wennan with a fiat note
of menace IN his voice. Il want that
jewel, understand? You might better
hand II over without any fuss II not
I'll have To hold you again while Miss
Somers searches you. You've run out
your string, Ana You better be nice
Gonna give II over?'
The woman sat straighter in her
chair and controlled her trembling lips
with an effort. Her hands were clenched.
Nc" she said.
Walker gave short coughing laugh.
Have 1t your own way then,' he
said and leaned over TO pin her arms
10 the chair back.
At once she sprsng at him. almost
overttrowing him with the fierceness
of her leap He clutched at her clum-
silly and gasped in pain as her finger
nails clawed his face. She fought him