“The Octagon Crystal”

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 58, 22 May 1935, Page 2

“The Octagon Crystal”

5 4* * By PEARL FOLEY (PAUL DE MAR of Toronto). (Copyright)

Two hours later Ralph and Forrest were making their w<iy through the crowded lobby of the theatre. As Forrest’s gaze swept the inpouring throngs it seemed to her the whole audience must have arrived at once. When within a few feet of the ticket gate Forrest became uncomfortably aware of a decided pressure on her left.

At the same moment she had the uneasy consciousness of being under scrutiny. Despite her attempt to shake off the feeling as an attack of “nerves” following the unusual events of the day, the impression persisted and her eyes were involuntarily drawn to a tall angular form whom the influx had apparently wedged in against her. As her glance locked his, the man’s eyes shifted and the next moment he had brushed past her and was mingling with the stream of people ahead. Forrest's startled gaze followed him. The ease with which he glided through the crowds made her think of some panther-footed creature of the woods emerging after prey, and as he disappeared into the foyer beyond she shivered, while her hand closed convulsively on Ralph's arm. However, a few minutes later, as they were ushered to a lower box, the unpleasant was ousted, and Forrest resolutely, gave herself up to the enjoyment of the animated scene about her. The gay hubbub, the carefree atmosphere permeated both gave to things a stability that had been entirely lacking for some hours back, and after being relieved of her cloak she settled herself to enjoy the evening, resolutely thrusting speculation and mystery into the lap of the gods for two houys at least. Ralph was relieved to see her taking things so philosophically, and determined that if he could prevent it no shadow should mar their evening together. Already he was planning a nice little supper after the play. In the midst of his pleasant speculations came a tense whisper from Forrest. “Look— back there by the railing—to the left —isn’t that the man of Lafleur’s?” Ralph’s eyes travelled to the spot designated; he leaned forward. “By George, it is!” “And the man with him!” continued Forrest, her words coming jerkily. Ralph,.shook his head. “Don’t know him —never saw him before to my knowledge.” “I did then —he pushed past me in the lobby. 1 had no opportunity to speak to you at the time, but I caught him looking at me very strangely—in fact the malignity in his eyes

frightened me.”

wasw standing

“Was he with his fanatical friend at tlie time?”

“No—he was alone. Ralph, what can it mean? I thought his actions odd, but I didn’t dream it was the crystal again.” “It may not be. We mustn’t jump to conclusions. It may be coincidence again.”

“I know it isn’t. He is here for some other purpose than the . play. Can’t you see he is out of his element altogether?”

“He’s not a very savoury-looking specimen, that’s a fact,” commented Ralph.

The two men who were the centre of such interest were standing at the rear of the pit, just a few feet from

the railing. The man whom Ralph and Forrest had already encountered at Lafleur’s, was in evening dress, and there was a noticeable air of distinction about him that was entirely lacking in the other. His companion, the man recognised by Forrest as the individual who had crowded her in the lobby a few minutes earlier, was tall, angular, of perhaps twenty-five years. His grey tweed coat hung loosely on his shoulders, and a grey cap was pulled low on sallow, sharp features. . He was talking as if putting forth an argument. His companion of the dress suit replied with a nod, and handed him something which he thrust into an inner pocket.

“Have you your opera glasses, Forrest? I’d like to get a close-up of those chaps,” interjected Ralph, abruptly. Forrest reached for her handbag which, while being relieved of hei cloak, she had tossed to a near-by chair. As her fingers closed on it a cry of dismay escaped her. The clasp had already been sprung. Ralph having taken in the situation at a glance, watched tensely as Forrest emptied the contents of her reticule into her lap. Opera glasses, a bottle of smelling salts, vanity case and a small silver change purse spilled out, but the object she was searching for was not there. Her face paled. “The crystal!”—she murmured blankly—“it’s gone!” Ralph’s glance travelled to the two men at the railing. "That fellow talking to our friend of Lafleur’s must have jostled you.” Forrest nodded. ‘I was in an uncomfortable jam at the time. T don’t think you noticed it—it seemed to be all on my side —my left arm —” “Yes” —Ralph on his feet —“the arm on which you carried your bag, Forrest, that fellow has your crystal! I see Ross Mclntyrp over there with his wife —they have an apartment a few doors from mother’s —I’m going

(To be Continued)

to ask them to take you in charge." ‘But Ralph—” “The fellow is moving away. I’ll send an usher to you, Forrest. He’ll carry a note for you to the Mclntyre box. Don’t worry—l know what I’m about. See you at the house in a couple of hours’ time.”

As the curtain swung into place - after him. Forrest’s eyes sought the railing. The man in' the dress suit was standing there alone.

Ralph gained the theatre lobby just in time to see the adroit pilferer of handbags twist his way past the knots of people out into the misty drizzle that was descending on the city like a curtain of fog.

Despite the fact that his grey cap was pulled low and the collar of his tweed overcoat acted as a sort of screen for the lower part of his face, the man started his journey from the heart of the city with a cocksureness that convinced Ralph he was experiencing no concern as to being followed. Such blatant confidence betokened only too plainly that he was pitting his wits against no mean adversaries.

This conviction grew, and after half an hour's shadowing gave rise to the thought whether it would not be wise to attempt the recapture of the crystal right here in the open where he could a match his strength against even odds, instead of following into some labyrinth infested with unknown dangers and delays.

As he put the question his gaze rivetted speculatively on the misty human contour gliding panther-like half a block ahead. The fellow’s lithe, sinewy movements proclaimed he would be no mean antagonist in a slippery, eel-like way; besides he was evidently armed. Yet, taken unawares, Ralph figured there wasn’t much chance of his squirming out of his clutches until at least he was ready, and that would be when he had gained possession of Forrest Selwyn’s mysterious pendant.

I His eyes searched into the fog. The only sign of life was a motor here and there flickering its headlights from the kerb. No pedestrians in sight: it was as if the throbbing city had rolled aside, leaving for a moment *> a clear path in this by-street for the J staging of his little design. V