Evening star., 1928-04-01
The Devils Mantle
A MYSTERY STORY.
By FRANK L. PACKARD.
risht ie27. hy Frank L. Packard.

thing but a museum, or part OF one!
Don't you know that Rand Is recog-
niged everywhere as an authority on
native life, and that his collection OF
all sorts of things pertaining to the
manners and customs OF the various
races In this part OF the world is quite
famous?"
NO" said peter-and his hands
clenched suddenly at his sides: Il
didn't know it,
"That-that was really the prctext
| for our viSit---to spend few days
on his island and see his collection" "
| Marion was staring wildly now across
the room at the lighted doorway. "Oh.
Peter!"
THE blood was racing madly now
| through Peters veins. SnatcheS OF
what Aghar Pind had told him pound
ed at his brain: The chief that was
above Tatal Ali. the chief. who
was white man. but who was always
disguised as native aboard the brig,
Yes And there had been white
man there that night at MurchiSon's
island---a white mans voice.
The voices were murmuring again,
IF it's true!" The words came In
~
My God. If this is true, then Rand
is the head and front of these beasts.
and the real murderer of Tom Murchi-
son-and it's no wonder Taial Ais
lair has never been found. for the
whole island here is camoufiaged by
Rand's scientific reputation. Who
would ever search this island for the
hiding place of band of cutthroats
under such conditions? And it ac-
counts for more-Something Capt
Mumm told me-of many crimes that
have been committed in the last few
years where certain necessary inside
knowledge was first obtained in a way
that no one could fathom. Rand would
have had the entree anywhere, and
would have been welcomed and even
lionized by men of standing wherever
he went"
"And-and II it's true" said Marion
and now there was sudden horror
sponsible for the whole trip and the
capture of the Isis, though don't see
how he did 1t: and-and-he even
asked me to marry him. why-why
did he do that? Why Is the Isis here
now? Where is father? Peter, Peter,
what are We TO do?"
We're going TO see who's in there
with Rand. If we can" Peter answered
grimly. BE careful now--don't let
them hear us!"
They stole silent across the room
and came to the lighted doorway-and
halted there. crouched back against
the jamb of the door. The door was
little more than ajar, but through the
opening they could see the corner OF
the room where two men sat at a
table.
Peter gnawed at his lips to keep
back a sudden cry. Rand and Lahat
Khan!-and between them on the table
was heap of pearls. Rand was count
ing the pearls, and now the voices OF
the two men came quite distinctly.
:" Not all in Sydney" Rand
was saying. land only a few TO each
man on the list that Tajal All and I
will make out for you when he comes.
You'll have time to go to Melbourne.
for Garth can't pick up 100000 m
gold in hurry. even II 1t Is for his
daughters ransom, and no matter how
much he's worrying about her safety
And see that you get good price!
You're dealing with thieves, but it's
Just as safe for them as 1t Is for us.
There could never be any suspicion
that these were Murchison's-Blake'
standing for that little jobl-and
there's no possible means Of identifying
them. in any case. You don't have to
sacrifice them-and see that you
don'tl"
Lahat Khan grinned avariciously.
II will get the price," he said.
And look out for your own hide"
cautioned Rand bluntly. Down and
back you'll be alone on the Isis. and.
though they'd take intense delight In
throwing you overheard instead of
taking orders from you. you're safe
you've a few little peculiarities ashore
that have sometimes got you into trou-
BILE before. and we can't afford TO
have you found somewhere in the gut
ter with knife in your back You
keep away from drink and the dives!"
Have no fear!" answered Lahat
Khan complacently: and then blandly:
But, perhaps, there is a warning for
you. too. Look out that the girl doesn't
see you here on this tslandl"
Rand laughed contemptuously.
do you think am a fool? That's
why Taial Ali Is staying ashore.
shant go near the place"
And so she viii be with Taial ALI
and you made love TO herl" Lahat was
grinning again. do you think 1t is
quite safe?"
BAH" Rand leaned back coolly.
and lighted a cigarette. Il made love
70 her because 1t was the surest way
Of forestalling even the possibility OF
suspicion. II she'd fallen for 1t,
would have gone back TO Sydney, after
we had got the ransom out Of Garth,
for that had TO be divided amongst
all Of yoti~-and married her"
And after that" purred Lahat Khan,
very soon after that, an accident
might have happened to her father,
and you would have had a great for
tunel Is 1t not so. o TtIan RANDI"
You have an imagination. Lahat
Khan" said Rand smoothly. But. as
It is. In spite even Of that fool Jaffray's
murder that we saddled on him, as well
as Murchison's, believe she Is in love
with Blake"
Lafat Khan'g face seemed 20 light
up with sudden pleased animation.
That was neat tricki" he cx-
claimed THAT paper you wrotew
And blundering, fool trick Of yours
10 talk with an open door near youl"
replied Rand with an unpleasant
smile.
Continued In T0morrow's STAR
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