Evening star., 1933-01-04
INSTALLMENT XIV.


rate" said Alacia, "and we may
Il overtake him before he gets
there"
What do you mean, We? he asked,
smiling down at her.
We'll, you didn't think you could
leave me behind, did you?" she de-
manded Because there's not a chance
in the world of your doing thatl"
But, darling!" he protested. This
is no job for a grill"
That's why I called on you'll" she
admitted. Besides, it's your affair.
You've been accused of stealing those
rubies, so it would be a particularly
charming joke for you to catch the
real thiei. But I can drive, Armand,
and I'm coming along to help you. We
may have to keep going all night, ana
if so, one of us can grab off some
sleep"
Look here, sport!" he said. DO
you mean it? Are you really game 70
go?" She stood on tiptoe to KISS MN;
I'VE haven't got time TO run out anu
hire a mechanic" she reminded MN
"Dont be silly. of course I'm going
along M. Piron!" she demanded then.
Its all right if he goes, isn't 1t? ABOUT
the bond, 1 mean?"
1T wouldn't matter If he jumped
ten thousand bonds!" roared the cid
man. furiousIy. "Of course, it's all
right If he can't get back, Ill pay
the blessed bail: it would be worth II,
to see him bring those Jewels nome!
And how about getting little co,
operation out OF the pohce? asked
Armand. "Just so they'll know what
we're dolng?
I'm attend to that" Piron promised,
his usually calm old face working fu-
riously W tn excitement. There may
be some formalities If Santini gets 10
Monaco ahead of you, although they
generally hand over French criminals
without much difficulty. However,
count on me. I'll see Jessant before
he's had a chance to swallow his petit
dejeuner in the morning"
"Santini will never get as far as
Monaco" Alacia hooted. We'll catch
him a long way ahead of that!" M
Piron had gone over to a desk in one
corner and was busily unlocking an
inside drawer, from which he presently
took an exceedingly busInesslike looking
automatic, which he handed to Armand.
Sometimes / have valuables in the
apartment overnight" he explained,
"and this gives me comforting feeling
1t will doubtless give you the same"
Thanks" said Armand, slipping it
into the pocket of the raincoat he was
already pulling on. 1T Is an excellent
form of argument at times
Anybody got any money!" the prac-
tical-minded Alacia spoke up. I've got
travellers cheques on me, but no cash. !"
Armand, it seemed had thousand
francs, and M. Piron produced two more
from the depths of decrepit pocket
book with heavy elastic band. Then
there didn't seem anything left TO DO
but go. The old jeweier took Alacia
by both hands and kissed her on the
cheek.
MY dear" he said. 'I am troubled
for YOU. The night, the late hour, and
this wild journey! know you are in
good hands, but I would be happier II
you were remaining behind" Alacia
laughed gayly.
Don't forget that I'm headed on
a much longer journey with the same
escort" she reminded him, "and that,
after all, I am the only one who has
a right to stop Santini and question
him. For one thing, I'm his publicity
director and, next to mother, his boss.
Never fear, I'll think up an excellent
excuse of some kind between here and
Auxerrel" Piron frightened visibly. .
That's it, use peaceable measures II
possible" he cautioned. Then he seized
upon Armand and embraced him In the
French fashion.
''Eh, mon filsl" he exclaimed. "Fais
ton possiblel Bonne chance!"
The street below was deserted as the
two emerged and the rain had Ightened
to a thin mist which hung over the
city lights like yellow veil. The man
climbed into the drivers seat, and
Alacia, smuggling into the place at his
side had a curious feeling that they
were the only two people In the uni
verse who remained awake and in touch
with reality. Somewhere down the long
ribbon of road which led to the Medi-
terranean was the object of their
search, as unreal and fantastic now,
as a figure in a dream. Even Armand
and herself, though Of warm flesh and
blood, seemed carried along in
phantom car through city Of fantas-
tic lights, peopled with stray ghosts In
cleaning rain-soaked garments. Passing
through back streets and deserted by
ways, they crossed the city, heading
out at last on the road to Fontainebleau
on the stroke of midnight Here there
was traffic enough; to be sure. The
road was dotted with numbering carts,
piled high with farm produce headed
for the markets, the cumbersome We.
hicles drawn by giant percherons form
ing a familiar and seemingly endless
caravan, plodding toward the bazaars
which at daybreak would be spread
with treasure of field and croft. The
Europa disturbed sleepy drivers into
cultural cries of "Yurrup, Lat" and the
harmless crack Of long whips against
the carts high wheels.