“The Octagon Crystal”

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 63, 4 June 1935, Page 2

“The Octagon Crystal”

f By PEARL FOLEY (PAUL DE MAR of Toronto). *l°

CHAPTER VIII. “In the first place, apparently this crystal is nothing but the most ordinary glass, n’estce pas? “In the second place, we are both assured it possesses no monetary value.

“In the third place, the microscope having proved beyond doubt that there is no line or marking on it, it can contain no secret that these people might be eager to get. “Tres bien, in view of what we have already satisfied ourselves concerning the crystal, and granting these strange-acting persons are of the sound mind, and they surely couldn t all be insane, why, then, I ask, are they ready to move heaven and earth to get possession?”

The Frenchman rose, Ralph glancing toward the timepiece ticking its way toward midnight, followed his example, but Monsieur Martiner motioned him to be reseated.

“I keep you but a few minutes and then I shall myself drive you to your home. It will make no trouble, mon ami—you cannot walk the streets with a bandaged head, and in order to run the minimum risk of arousing suspicion it will be better to order no cab from here, especially in the face of what I am about to suggest.” Ralph waited expectantly while the little Frenchman shifted crane-like from one foot to the other in front of the fire.

Wheeling abruptly, the antiquarian looked down at Ralph. “Tiens, mon ami, would Mademoiselle Sehvyn, do you think, trust that crystal out of her possession for a few days? The reason I ask is I expect a visit from a friend of mine who is a savant on such things as the religious ceremonies—heathen practices. He has lived and studied the Indian half of his life. He has recently published a book called ‘The Redman: His Past and His Present.’

“Now in view of what you have told me of the sachem who confronted you in the apartment suite I should like to show this friend of mine the crystal. If there is any living person, outside this unscrupulous band itself, who can throw any light on the matter it is Monsieur Sartell Prentice.”

“When do you expect to see this gentlerhan, monsieur?” “I received a wire from him to-day to tell me he would be here to-morrow afternoon. His hobby is my living, curios, and whenever he is within a hundred miles of me pays me a visit. He says my collection is to him as good as a trip around the world. He is an English gentleman, is Monsieur Prentice, honourable to a fault, and you need not hesitate to confide in him as freely as you have in me.”

“Such a statement from you, monsieur, is sufficient,” replied Ralph. “I take the responsibility of leaving the crystal in your possession. I shall not be in town again for a few days, but I know it will be safe with you. In fact this is the safest place I know of. No one saw me come here. I can say that with assurance, for, thanks to the fog, I broke the trail completely and took the precaution of dismissing the driver before I got here.”

“Tres bon, a wise precaution,” returned the Frenchman, “but with no reflection on your astuteness, monsieur, I would wager it is the only trail that is broken.”

Ralph looked puzzled. “At all events,” he rejoined, “we expect to break another in the morning when we return to Charmante.” Monsieur Martiner shook his head. “I’m afraid, my friend, it will be a useless precaution.” “You think we cannot escape the Chief’s satellites?”

“I think, rather, some of them are stationed there already—in other words, that the chase started from Charmante. I understand the Sehvyn estate is just a few miles from an Indian reserve—the same reserve that is your headquarters at present. Voila, if we are to believe this trinket is mixed up with Indian superstition, is it not plausible that it was first caught sight of there, eh mon ami?” “It may seem plausible enough, übt it isn’t the case,” replied Ralph. “The man who betrayed such keen interest in Lafleur’s showed plainly the sicrhl of the crystal was wholly unexpected.” “Maybe—maybe, Ido not deny he would. But have you satisfied yourself as to what really caused the surprise?”

Monsieur Martiner removed his spectacles and became engrossed in subjecting them to a vigorous polish with his pocket handkerchief. After satisfying himself they were speckless he replaced them and turned his attention to Ralph.

“My meaning is this, mon ami, don’t make poor coincidence carry too big a bundle of theories —I find it has a way of toppling them over and exploding them when you least expect It.” “Am I to understand you want me to believe these people have been trailing Miss Selwyn indefinitely!” exclaimed Ralph.

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“I wouldn't go quite so far as that, my friend, but 1 am dubious as to that meeting in the cafe being due to mere chance. That sort of thing reads

all right'in the fiction, but in real life as a rule the door is shut tight on the lottery game.”

“How do you account, then, for the man’s strange actions if he was not taken completely by surprise?” “I not deny he was taken by surprise, but how do you know it wasn't the surprise and aggravated covetousness due to realising the object he was after was actually within reach and in a spot where the river of shadow's is sufficiently deep and convenient to receive and bury unscrupu-

lous deeds? In other words, monsieur, I believe Mile. Selwyn was followed to the city this morning, and was kept in view in the hope, but by no means definite knowledge, that the 'crystal was with her.”

“You would have me behove that Miss Selw-yn is on the edge of a precipice until the religious mania of these people is satisfied?”

“Religious mania” —the Frenchman repeated the word softly—“ Yes, it may be only that. I hope with all my heart my friend Sartell Prentice will confirm my theory that it is so, but

“You hesitate —if you are hiding anything, for heaven’s sake out with it l”

Monsieur Martiner’s hand went to Ralph’s shoulder. “It is just an idea —maybe worth not a speck of dust to light on. It came to me with the other, but I hesitated 1o give it to you: but believe me, monsieur, it is done with all due respect to Mademoiselle Selwyn. I have heard the rumour that there is some mystery connected with the young lady’s past, and it has occurred to* me, could this crystal have any bearing on that?”

Ralph’s face flushed hotly. “I am absolutely sure it could not,” he replied emphatically. “The crystal, I admit, is wrapped up with past, but judging from what has occurred to-day I feel certain the crystal flone is the centre of interest. Miss Selwyn is the legally adopted ward of Scarthe Sehvyn, one of America’s outstanding artists —is that not enough protection?”

“I hope so—l indeed hope it is so. It was merely an idea, but on.? that I thought would do less good if unspoken. But," in a tone betokening a desire to dismiss an unpleasant topic, “it grows late, Monsieur, and you need rest to tlx that head of yours. I go immediately and get the car." (To be Continued).