Fluette

He watched the two chief actors so intently, in fact, that he failed to perceive Burke snatch up the supposed ruby from the floor; but he did see Page wrest the leather case from Fluette.

The Paternoster Ruby Charles Edmonds Walk

I was obliged to walk fast to get within range of Fluette and Burke again -- not an easy thing to do among the crowd -- but still I could see nothing of my headquarters man, nor of the Jap.

The Paternoster Ruby Charles Edmonds Walk

"Miss Belle Fluette and Miss Genevieve Cooper -- to see Mr. Maillot," announced Stodger, with all the absurd importance of a conscientious flunkey.

The Paternoster Ruby Charles Edmonds Walk

Fluette heard him and came into the hall to learn what was the matter.

The Paternoster Ruby Charles Edmonds Walk

Between the instant he started to follow Fluette down-stairs and the time he stood rapping at Maillot's door, he had consumed much less than

The Paternoster Ruby Charles Edmonds Walk

Fluette had given him the impression that he was hinting at a bribe.

The Paternoster Ruby Charles Edmonds Walk

Fluette came in hastily, his manner wild, his face white and haggard.

The Paternoster Ruby Charles Edmonds Walk

He was armed with a black-jack -- a ball of lead wrapped in leather and with a short, flexible leather handle -- and just as Fluette grabbed up the iron candle-stick he plunged forward.

The Paternoster Ruby Charles Edmonds Walk

There was one discordant element in such a theory, however: namely, how could Fluette hope to retain possession of the gem, once he had secured it?

The Paternoster Ruby Charles Edmonds Walk

This, then, had been the intelligence imparted by the Burman on Friday morning, which had so upset Fluette and Burke.

The Paternoster Ruby Charles Edmonds Walk