Part 46 (1/2)

”They were actually hungry and penniless; the only clothing they possessed they were wearing. These ladies were the Countess Orloff-Strelwitz, and a young girl, Theodorica, Grand d.u.c.h.ess of Esthonia.... I did what I could for them. After a while, in the course of other duty, I found out that the Bolsheviki had had nothing to do with the arson and robbery, but that the crime had been perpetrated by Jose Quintana's gang of international crooks masquerading as Bolsheviki.”

Stormont nodded: ”I also came across similar cases,” he remarked.

”Well, this was a flagrant example. Quintana had burnt the chateau and had made off with over two million dollars worth of the little Grand d.u.c.h.ess's jewels--among them the famous Erosite gem known as The Flaming Jewel.”

”I've heard of it.”

”There are only two others known.... Well, I did what I could with the Esthonian police, who didn't believe me.

”But a short time ago the Countess Orloff sent me word that Quintana really was the guilty one, and that he had started for America.

”I've been after him ever since.... But, Jack, until this morning Quintana did not possess these stolen jewels. _Clinch did!_”

”What!”

”Clinch served over-seas in a Forestry Regiment. In Paris he robbed Quintana of these jewels. That's why I've been hanging around Clinch.”

Stormont's face was flushed and incredulous. Then it lost colour as he thought of the jewels that Eve had concealed--the gems for which she had risked her life.

He said: ”But you tell me Quintana robbed you this morning.”

”He did. The little Grand d.u.c.h.ess and the Countess Orloff-Strelwitz are my guests at Harrod Place.

”Last night I s.n.a.t.c.hed the case containing these gems from Quintana's fingers. This morning, as I offered them to the Grand d.u.c.h.ess, Quintana coolly stepped between us----”

His voice became bitter and his features reddened with rage poorly controlled:

”By G.o.d, Jack, I should have shot Quintana when the opportunity offered.

Twice I've had the chance. The next time I shall kill him any way I can.... Legitimately.”

”Of course,” said Stormont gravely. But his mind was full of the jewels which Eve had. What and whose were they,--if Quintana again had the Esthonian gems in his possession?

”Had you recovered all the jewels for the Grand d.u.c.h.ess?” he asked Darragh.

”Every one, Jack.... Quintana has done me a terrible injury. I shan't let it go. I mean to hunt that man to the end.”

Stormont, terribly perplexed, nodded.

A few minutes later, as they came out among the willows and alders on the northeast side of Star Pond, Stormont touched his comrade's arm.

”Look at that enormous dog-otter out there in the lake!”

”Grab those dogs! They'll strangle each other,” cried Darragh quickly.

”That's it--unleash them, Jack, and let them go!”--he was struggling with the other two couples while speaking.

And now the hounds, unleashed, lifted frantic voices. The very sky seemed full of the discordant tumult; wood and sh.o.r.e reverberated with the volume of convulsive and dissonant baying.

”d.a.m.n it,” said Darragh, disgusted, ”--that's what they've been trailing all the while across-woods,--that devilish dog-otter yonder.... And I had hoped they were on Quintana's trail----”

A ma.s.s rush and scurry of crazed dogs nearly swept him off his feet, and both men caught a glimpse of a large b.i.t.c.h-otter taking to the lake from a ledge of rock just beyond.