Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-01
THE RAGGED
PRINCESS
By
Edgar
Wallace

leather satchel to carry the stones.
Il doubt whether that will hold them
ALL, said Stefan idea which secretly
amused Shannon.
Steel had left two policemen on duty
In the room; the third was in the hall,
and the inspector came down from the
upper moor 70 meet them.
Il think we'd best get all the men
IN the room, in case there happens one
OF those curious accidents which invari-
ably occur when we run counter to the
wishes OF friend Malpas," said Shan
non.
He went up to the alcove and drew
the curtain aside. 1t was the first time
Audrey had seen the dread figure of the
idol and she shuddered at the fearful
sight. 1t seemed to her that the emer-
a1d-green eyes OF the cats were fixed
balefully upon her-an illusion which
most people had who had seen them.
Steel tugged at one of the animals;
there was a whirr Of machinery and the
cat moved slowly TO the right and
stopped. He did the same with the
other and a similar movement occurred.
AS 1t came to standsttll the two
breasts Of the figure opened.
Here We are" said Steel with sat-
isfaction. Planting q chair against the
pedestal, Dick mounted.
He thrust his hand into the opening
and brought out heap Of yellow stones.
They are up TO sample, think
laughed Steel, trembling with excite
ment.
They certainly are" breathed Dick.
They most certainly are"
He got down, busted his hands and,
opening his bag, planted 81 on Malpas'
desk.
A sound made him look round. Both
cats were turning 10 their original posi-
ton. Presently they stopped and the
doors closed with click.
Steel was gaping at the statue,
Tneres mechanism there I don't
understand" he said. "Wait-IIl Ak
II again."
He had taken a step wn.n the lights
went out and the room was plunged
into darkness.
Stand by that door" said Shannon
quickly. Let nobody in or out. One
of you men feel your way along to the
buffet and keep your trUncheon against
the paneling. II it moves, hit out!
Where are the lamps?"
He heard Steel curse softly as he
CROPPED in the darkness and then:
THE lamps are on the landing table,
sir" came the inspectors voice.
Get them. You men at the door, let
WIG 4AASHSEIOL Hd0e, anu lildkC CuIE LElAI
1t is he who comes back"
Audrey felt her heart going at double
speed and instinctively her hand
sought Shannons arm.
What Is going TO happen?" she
whispered fearfully.
Il don't know" he answered in the
ssme tone. Keep Close behind me and
take my left arm
The doors shut"
forgotten that the secret controls az
feetsd the doors as well as the illuni-.
nation.
a match. somebody. What Is hap
pen!ng here?"
1t was steels voice, speaking from
the floor, as he crawled toward the
idol.
Did you hear anything, sir?"
Il thought ! heard wailing sound.
Can you feel the idol?"
Il anon. my Cod"
The girls blood froze at the CRY Of
cgcnv which followed.
What is it," asked Dick.
Il touched something almost red-hot,
Til" base Of the idol. think"
Thov heard his stifled cry Of pain.
There's something burning" wlais-
rcred III" girl. Can you smsll-the
scant CT hot iron?"
DICK had already detected the curl
Gus. sickly aroma. He put the girl,
gently from him
I'm going to discover what has hap
pened," he said.
And then policeman at the far end
Of the room struck a match, and at
that moment the lights came on again.
Apparently nothing had been moved.
The Idol still turned its malignant face
to the room; the green eyes of the cats
glared unchangingly.
What has happened to you, Steel?"
The woman was nursing his hand.
Right across the palm was a red and
black veal an inch wide.
IT'S a burn he groaned.
Dick ran forward and felt the base
of the pedestal--it was cold. icelike.
1T wasn't that sir" said Steel. eft
vas something else that came up out
Of the floor. sort of hot barrier"
Barrier or no barrier" said Dick,
I'm going after those stones"
He jerked the cats round, the little
door opened. Leaping on to the ped
estal, he put his hand inside.
The body was empty!
CONTINUED in Tomorrow's starr