Serial Story

Southland Times, Issue 22993, 12 September 1936, Page 22 (Supplement)

Serial Story

THE MYSTERY OF THE RUBIES. CHAPTER VII. When Alan stepped out of the tunnel he soon hid himself, for about ten yards away the four ruffians who had been searching for him were talking quickly and excitedly, and one of them pointed to a large hole in the ground. Alan stood behind a clump of bushes which screened the mouth of tire tunnel, thus hiding it from the view of any rough people. While he stood there Alan listened to the men talking and was able to catch these few scraps of conversion. “Do you think we should take the box to the chief now?” “If we do, we shall have too much to carry.” “I vote that we leave it here,” said a third, and as the fourth was of the same opinion the men carefully covered the hole and measured the distance that it was from a large oak tree that had been struck by lightning. The men then took their departure, but Alan did not venture into the open until they had been gone for about a quarter of an hour. Making sure that no one was about Alan left his hiding place and went across to the hole. As he had seen a man put a spade in the hollow trunk of the oak tree he took the tool and began digging. After some minutes his spade touched something, making a ringing sound. By the noise he knew that he had found what he was seeking. Alan knelt down on his knees and drew the box up to the top of the hole with trembling hands. He had a little bother getting the lid to open, but after forcing it with the spade it soon opened. Imagine his surprise and disgust when he saw only pebbles and dirt in the box.

He was not to be daunted, however, for he put in his hand and took most of the rubbish out of the box, then noticed a little tin in one corner. Alan picked this up, opened it, and found—what do you think? —wrapped in a piece of paper. A ruby!—the sun shone brightly at the time and the colours from the precious stone were really beautiful. Alan left the ruby wrapped in the paper, put it in the small tin and dropped it into his pocket. He then lowered the box of rubbish into the hole and carefully covered it, as the ruffians had done before him. He put the spade where he had found it and hastened back towards the building where Paulina was kept a prisoner. As he did not wish to be caught a second time he went very carefully, so that he would

not be seen by any of the people from the building.

Meanwhile what had Paulina been doing? She had been put in the same cell that had been used for her the previous time. Fortunately her captors had not searched her, or otherwise her daring plan would not have taken effect. She allowed herself to be bound and gagged, but, unknown to the person who did this, she had in her hand a very small, but very sharp, blade. When she had been alone for some time she set to work., Paulina soon cut through the ropes, freed her arms and legs, and removed the gag. She then tiptoed to the door, where she stood listening for a few moments. Being satisfied that no one was about, the girl took a packet from her secret pocket. This packet contained a mixture of stuff that would not allow anyone to see the objects in a room, until an hour after it was thrown in. Paulina scattered particles of the mixture all over the cell, then, shutting the door, ran down the long passage-way, out through the main entrance and across the court to the gate in the wall. Alter going through this gate she began to walk towards the place where she had been captured. While she was going in that direction, Paulina’s thoughts wandered to Alan, who, she knew, would not desert her unless he was hurt. Paulina was close to the old well, into which Alan had fallen, when a familiar voice said, “Hello, Pauline.” Looking round, the girl saw Alan who had just come into the clearing. Paulina welcomed him gladly and began asking questions, but Alan told her that he had something to show her. Taking out the little tin Alan opened it and drew forth the ruby and the paper, at the same time, telling Paulina what had happened to him. He opened the paper which had written on it a list of figures. Paulina cried out, “Oh, Alan, this ruby has a mystery attached to it. I wonder what those figures mean, though?” The list was as follows:— 9:6 25:15:21 6:9:14:4 20:8:9:19 18:21:2:25 16:12:5:1:19:5 7:9:22:5 20:15 16:1:21:12:9:14:1 8:5:18 21:14:3:12:5. —4 marks to Cousin Daphne Shields (14), Kennington. (To be Continued). The next chapter will close this exciting serial. Don’t forget that the next entry is the last, and bring the story to a good conclusion. —3 marks to Cousins Irene Smith C.A. (12), Bluff, Albert Moore A.C.. (10), 57 St. Andrew street, Mary Lobb A. C. (12), Box 28, Edendale.