Show SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAP CHAP- I A teu feud bAs has existed between n Colonel Arthur Arthur Arthur Ar Ar- ArI I thur Stanley and his bla cousin Judge Lamar Stanley over an heirloom the diamond from tram the tb sky found in la a fallen meteor byan byan by byn an n ancestor Also Abo th the succession to the Stanley earldom tn In England d may como come toan to toan an au American When a daughter Is la born to 10 0 the colonel coronet and the tho mother dies the colonel bU buys buja a gypsy y boy bog and th substitutes him blID Three year later the gypsy mother had bad no part In this thU bar bargain steals the trio girl Esther reared In n secret andl and l Jena her ber son lIOn undetected as oS the heir The gypsy hu ha obtained possession on o of the dial dia diamond mond 4 ruin from the sky aleT and aad a d document ment with the tha Stanley secret Years Yearl later Raga gypsy queen en ret returns rn to Virginia with Es Es- ther Dr L Lee c. c the tho tat late Colonel S Stanleys Stanley's friend adopts Esther Arthur Stanley BOU sou BOUX sf Hagar X falls falla In love with Esther Estber and so so does his bis companion and cousin Blair Stanley rightful male mala heir belr of ot Stanley In stealing the diamond Blair causes the death eath of ot the tho doctor and tries later to put the blame on Arthur who t take kea the tho gem Arth Arthur r Stanley etudes elude etu his hla pursuers and loins joins Hagar who reveals his hia Identity and upbraids him for Cor his bla wild life UCe Needing money honey he pawns th the diamond In hi Rich Rich- mond hond At a ball at which an aD adventures es ass Vivian n Marston MarROn wears the borrowed gem cem em Luke Lovell ell Hagar's gypsy guard teals steals the diamond and to avoid detection drops It Into a mall box Arthur leaves Richmond and goes to the west The diamond diamond diamond dia dia- dia- dia mond passes Into a mall nun bag picked up by organ grinder as a's monkey steals the Ute diamond Hagar takes Esther to Stanley hall ball Tom Blake a detective of ot Richmond rho ho Ls Is hired by Hagar produces finger fingerprints fingerprints fingerprints prints convicting Blair Hagar proposes silence to 1 Mrs Stanley as the pr p co c of or and Esthers Esther's bring being received received In Fairfax society Blare Blair strikes dow down Hagar hagar Ha- Ha gar and steals the fl J 1 vl the gypsy queen demerit Marma larma ke Smythe lawyer arrives to w to Ann announce Arthur U la heir to the deceased Ea I 1 of oC Stanley Learning Arthur Is la a n ri fugitive he seeks Blair Instead To win Vivian Blair teals steals a the diamond later marrying berand her ber herand herand and leaving for the tho west Their train 1 la s robbed Vivian losing the diamond which a slain train robber drops In the desert The he stole Is b found by Arthur now now known as John Powel sheep herder berder Vivian deserts Blair telling him he must regain the dla diamond ond for her Luke Lovell driven from the camp after learning Hagar's Harar Ha- Ha pr gars gar's secret leave lea to to seek Blair Hagar Hagaris is la under treatment and Esther la is In Richmond Richmond Richmond Rich Rich- mond society Abe Bloom gambler knows Blairs Blair's lal s guilt and covets the diamond He calls It the of oC his secrecy The diamond Is la later picked up by an Indian woman Dr Lee Arthur learns died of 1 heart beart eart Becoming very rich he be buys Stanley hall hail sold at auction through gh Blake a and also provides for Haar Ha- Ha ar and Esther Luke Lovell buys the diamond diamond dia dia- mond from Crom tho squaw but loses It In a tight fight on S Santa Santa inta Barbara Darbara bay the gem sink sink- tog ing Vivian desiring I aid d to ensnare Arthur Ar- Ar thur sends for Cor Blair J Esther and also Blair go to the California mines to seek Arthur Smythe Is la sent cent west Iest by Blake Vivian Mars Marston Harston ton Is la saved sa from Crom drowning by Powell Powell Pow Pow- ell Il who Is Infatuated by her r. r Smythe finds the diamond and gives It to Esther 1 i to deliver to Arthur Blair and Luke go goto goto goto to the yacht in Arthurs Arthur's absence and find Ond Esther there I Esther and escape while Blair and Luke battle Blair In the meantime has bas joined Vivian In In- Los Angeles Durand Durand Du Du- Du- Du rand king of ot diamonds a crook crool known to Vivian goes to a saloon near the mines In n hope that he can learn the whereabouts of the diamond There he meets Luke Lovell Esther and Arthur appear on the scene The diamond Is lost In n a melee Esther eaves saves Arthur who Is Injured and be tie goes to Los Angeles In care of oC the phy phy- titian crook Durand Esther follows and ami amila andle la le refused admittance to see him In tn the meantime Smythe has hos hid the diamond In B tree It is la later later- found Cound by two bill posters post post- ers era one of oC whom murders the other Corthe for Cor forthe forthe the diamond Arthur Is doped by Durand Du Du- Du- Du rand De Vaux and Vivian although Blair who has taken charge of oC Arthurs Arthur's business business busi busl- ness mess affairs protests The diamond passes In dice play from the bill poster to Santley Bantley circus owner who gives elves It to La Belle lion tamer Splinters the clown her Jealous husband shoots shoots' Bantley as the lion strikes down and kilts kills the woman Tho animal anima seizes Belies the diamond CHAPTER Am I I Not ITH the pandemonium that WITH followed the swift death meted to the Lions struck uck down In W her sins It would seem every very evil e passion ns lon broke loose Joos In ln the panic at Santley's circus Santley struck down in hi hla sin also and Splinters the clown dead by br hl his I own band hand after arter the vengeance of or hl hh frenzied brain were trod hod upon and ami fin further ther disfigured as ns the crowd tou fought hl and rind struggled led Showmen at the performers performers per formers lorme entrance hearing the pistol shot hot and the hoarse e cries of the crowd a UK as I It rose to us Ih feet teet and surged for forthe forthe forthe the exits Imagined n murderous niter alter cadon cation between town roughs and th the men Inca had hod broken loo loose e. e The cirrus circus mens men's r rallying tI ln cry ne Fley Rey Rube was wan raided The n thE swindlers the ache nero nero- bats bate nil nit those e who knew n a tragedy bad happened hut but hud had not sensed r. r nell what It was seized tent pe pegs peg and stakes i ii i r t drew forth brass knuckles and mid slung shots hot J and struck sickening blows right and left lert at every bead In III 8 sight ht Roughs I II cut the ropes and tore toro down the half I vacated seats and added to the general frenzy of ot fright destruction and nod panic But Dut from the first tragic happening I Ithe II the death of La Belle Bello under the lions lion's paw a a. greedy dy eye had been upon the blazing diamond from Crom the sky As Aa the paw of or Lancelot the lion 1100 drew draw a away way I from the scarred dead dear breast of ot his faithful mistress the chain to the diamond dia dlA- diamond mond mood locket clung to his cruel cmel claws As Ate the lion 1100 roaring In his maddened i inte l rage faced laced the frenzied throng at his ca cage e bars the diamond dangled out over the dead deRd faces of or Santley and Splinters tho the clown Foremost In the Wrung throng seeking I escape from the scene of or horror borror was way Sankey keeper of ot tho the stable In which kept his hh outfit Sankey was waR J yv u E Smyth Smythe Called on Blair Stanley and Vivian Ha Ho Smirked at Her holidaying at the circus as was half halt the town He had bad seen tho the diamond brazing on the breast of ot the fair lair and faithless La Ln Belle Belie He lie hid had seen the lion liou strike stake tier her down and drag dlag the diamond to the cage door passed across across the bodies of or the dead men outside e the cage snatched snatcher at nt the bloody bauble anddrew and aull drew it from the claws of or the Lou Ion T The sr li r t and the tle auie surged bout the 4 if e iu tile e fa face of ot death as ay Sankey snatched too at the gleaming great jewel lu In the maelstrom of the struggle Sankey fighting for the diamond whirled whiled just beneath the box where stood the agitated party with Arthur Durand grabbed at the diamond as It II passed beneath him Blair sprang out of the box boa box but some one struck him a stunning blow from behind and the lighting front of ot the throng desperately desperate desperate- ly struggling for tor the dl diamond swirled and und surged on the on-the the accursed heirloom of ot the Stanleys passing close by Esther Esthel and nud C e e u e e eLawyer La Lawyer wyer Smythe searching for tor Arthur Arthur Arthur Ar Ar- thur to whom as John Powell lowell Blake the Richmond detective o had bad sent him when wuen the lawyer first went west on ou Ills quest for the heir to the Stanley earldom arrived at the circus Just as the triple tragedy had occurred Earlier in the day Smythe freshly I clothed and rested and revived after his bis wandering In hi the wilderness had bad called at ot the office of ot the Good Goor Hope nope Oil company Here lIere be had hind met Blair In charge ant anu Vivian Marston He IIo smirked at the young youn woman and Vivian returned the smile deeming it to her ber interest to d dl so But Dut the they gave gac him no clew thai tha the man ho he sought as John Powell for information regarding Arthur Stan Stanley Stanley ley was Arthur Stanley himself Smythe had never er met Arthur Stanle Staple except once briefly In the wilderness and here bere taciturnity on au both sides II li liu u 1 casual meeting had bad prevented enter elthe I the tile purpose of or the o other Briefly at the office Smythe had ills dla dl cussed usser with wab Blair and Vivian the kindred kin 10 kindred dred subjects of or the Stanley carldon and the diamond from the sky had no Interest In the diamond Ti lr was but an nn heirloom of ot doubtful value in his eyes an heirloom pertaining tr tf the he A American Stanleys only But th the English title CUe concerned him much am ant anthe he had har Informed Blair Blah that until It s va a o definitely proved that the fugitive e Arthur Arthur Ar Arthur thur stanle Stanley was dead the claim of ol Blair Clair to both the diamond and the thi Stanley St. earldom In England could not be Ire allowed But Dut Blair Smythe admit admitted admitted admitted ted was next of ot kin Then the En English lIsh lawyer lawer had bad calls calls- nt at the Powell man mansion lon seeking Information and learning here that thE Injured Mr Sir Powell wa was YaK BO so far recover recO recovered recovered ed that his friends had bad taken him tt tc I he the circus had bar gone fone thither her lIe He t arrived ved as ns lie he lieI I usually arrived n an any anywhere ny where In b bewildering America tor toc to late The circus performance way was end enil ending nl lag ing In tragedy and panic and the Ile ilex dec In tag Ing f fighting bUn frenzied fn men that t out ont from the pal h pandemonium within howled bowled the EulI English lJ Ln lawyer w r over o and trampled upon him When he recover recover- p 1 from flom the tho th excitement and the police were In po possession slon and t th- th h place de deserted except by the dl or employees The protection of ot the box hind bod pr pre Ien-ed Ien Arthur Purl nd bl bis hia parts part frim In in- lury The watchful had lad drawns drawn s Esther R aside aAlde at the tILe first outbreak ol ot olI I ha the panic and the thc riot A slash In ia th the canvas walls of ot the tent bad bud given ghen and Esther egress esless to safety and had led hIs hit dazed young youny mistress away After Arthur had har been conveyed con bj by Duran and nur the others to their waiting motorcar Arthur through h excitement and drugs collapsed But nut he revived re when he be reached his hL rooms It Is his flue fine I new mansion and demanded that Esther be sought forI forI for Cor i I 1 am not crazy r he vehemently de de- de- de dared I saw Esther Bather there and 1 I want you TOU to bring me to her heel herl Now calm yourself Mr Powell said Durand soothingly The excitement excitement excitement excite excite- ment which you have witnessed has baN brought on another attack of ot this recurrent recurrent recurrent re re- re- re current hallucination A man cannot suffer r concuss concussion 1011 of ot the brain and oth other er tr Injuries as RS you have and hope to escape serious mental as well as physical physical cal reactions There there therel We must give giro you something to quiet you I And ADd the hypocritical and unscrupulous lous lons swindler administered a liberal dose of or the tho drug that he be had permitted Arthur to become secretly as Arthur thought addicted to Vivian added her blandishments to the soothing hypocrisies of or Durand and De Vaux Vaur the Jackal kept keIlt up a murmur of or feigned concern and sym sym- pathy Only Blair stood aloof aloot These ways were not nt his Is but Blair Blah 1 coveted the power or of the Powell minions millions whIch Arthurs Arthur's Incapacity placed him In position position post post- tion to administer and so 80 he gave his negative aid to the despicable plot to ruin Arthur bodily mentally spiritual spiritual- spiritually ly lr mid and financially By Dr the dr drug g and the power of ot suggestion tion the conspirators succeeded In ID impressing Impressing Im tin- pressing Arthur again that his s seeing Esther bad had been an illusion of ot his disordered disordered dis dis- dis ordered I mind They further calmed him by convincing him there had been an a accident at nt the circus that had caused excitement but the triple tragedy tragedy trag trag- edy he had witnessed was also wo a figment fig fig- ment meat pt of hI h hysteria s er t.- t. Guarded as Arthur vas u and supplied with soul soul and body destroying drugs It if waS was easy easy for tor the cabal to keep newspapers newspapers news news- papers visitors and end other sources of or Information information in In- formation from him Even his private secretary had bad been sent by Blair as tS a manager of ot distant proper properties so that Arthur might by no chance gain any confirmation n of ot the presence of ot Esther EstherIn In hi Lad LOH Angeles It was not wholly easy to convince Arthur ev even n under these conditions though he was weak willed and his physical strength only returned to him himIn himIn himIn In a measure But to keep him from thinking Durand and ond the others Inetter belted incited belt Inett- er ed him to one folly tolly after another as hIs bis strength came back to some degree Already they arranged arranger for tor a n tallyho party to the races on 00 the morrow The They feared to go too far In their efforts to drive Esther r from Los Log Ao Angeles eles Their efforts were confined to keeping Arth Ar- Ar th tb r separated from her bel to augment h fear com of of 01 j complete c m l se e u t erL 1 o the r uit r hallucinations hal hal- which they endeavored endeavored to convince con him his encounters with Estber Esther Esther Es Es- ther were On Ou the other hand the conspirators knew Esthers Esther's high spirit They hoped she would become discouraged ed and perhaps perhaps perhaps per per- haps disgusted at Arthurs Arthur's eccentric treatment of or her the her the cause of ot which she was not likely to suspect suspect and and return return return re re- re- re turn to Richmond and Hagar But Dut Esther was resolved upon solving the strange mystery of ot Arthurs Arthur's' con con- duct At each encounter since they had bad been parted in the mining town of or Mammoth Just before he was so grievously Injured he had been delighted it rt 81 sight ht of or her and then some Rome strange a a r I I am not crazy I 1 he h. vehemently de declared dared Influence would o overcome him and he be would regard her with a fear tear haunted |