The Mask: A Story of Love and AdventureHornblow, Arthur
General
The Mask: A Story of Love and Adventure
Hornblow, Arthur
Adventure stories; Twins -- Fiction
"Away uptown. I had business up in the Bronx. I was driving my car
and was near 200th street and going north when suddenly I had to steer
to one side to allow a taxicab to pass. There were two men in it. I
just chanced to glance inside and, to my surprise, I recognized your
husband and Keralio."
"What time was that?"
"Very early--about nine o'clock."
"What direction?"
"They were coming south."
"Then he must have been with Keralio all night, for he didn't come
home."
The lawyer was silent. Certainly here was a mystery which needed more
detective talent than he possessed to clear up. Yet he would not rest
until it was solved. To-morrow he would get Dick Reynolds busy, and
they would go to work in earnest. The first thing to find out was what
took Keralio and Kenneth to the Bronx.
"Does Keralio live in the Bronx?"
"I don't know," said Helen.
"I'll find out," said the lawyer, grimly.
At that moment Ray returned, holding out a new ten-dollar bill.
"I was right," she cried. "The name Abraham is spelled with an 'e.'
Do you really think this is a counterfeit?"
The lawyer took the bill and examined it critically.
"I have no doubt of it," he answered. "There are other
indications--the general appearance, the touch of the paper. Where did
you get it?"
For a moment the young girl was puzzled.
"Let me think. Where did I get it. Oh yes, I know. Francois gave it
to me."
"Francois!" exclaimed Helen.
The lawyer started and looked up in surprise.
"Francois, your brother-in-law's valet?"
"Yes--I wanted a $20 bill changed to pay for some things that came home
from the store, and he went out and brought me some old bills and this
new one."
The lawyer gave vent to a low, expressive whistle.
"Francois gave it to you, eh? Where is Francois?"
"I discharged him to-day for insolence," said Helen.
"He's gone!"
"Yes--he went shortly before you came in."
The lawyer jumped to his feet, a look of exultation on his face.
Quickly, he said:
"Didn't you say that this Francois was formerly with Signor Keralio?"
"Yes--he was with him for years."
The lawyer gave a wild whoop of joy.
"Then we've got it--at last."
"Got what?" cried the women.
"A clue--a clue!" cried the lawyer, excitedly. "Can't you see it?
Francois is hand in glove with Keralio--the master rogue who is making
this counterfeit."
"What do you propose to do?"
"Find where Keralio lives--then, perhaps, we'll find the lost diamonds."
CHAPTER XVIII
"This way," whispered Dick, as he darted swiftly from door to door,
"keep close behind me, and stick to the wall, or he'll see you."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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