Jackson Gregory

“ Still Kwang-kung's expression was childlike.
“You speak mysteries to me, Mr. Steele,” he said gently.
“Marvella Nevil,” continued Steele, “has long been a diamond smuggler and an extremely capable and clever one; she is—though one should not speak hard words of a lady!—a thief. As, again, you should know. She has done many things which would put her in the grip of the law—if the law could only once get the goods on her! ”

“ For her cheeks were flushed with excitement, her eyes were dancing.
“Bring the car around in a hurry, will you, uncle Abner?” she asked. “I'll be right out. You're to drive—drive right by the Carrington home. And, when we're right in front, the car's got to stall. Understand? Anything; run out of gasoline; that will do. Oh, I'm terribly in earnest, uncle Abner, and I am in a terrible hurry.” ”

“ She is not above making fools of young rich men; she is, I believe, rather fond of the sport. The year before she made this last trip to your beautiful land she persuaded young Phil Wentworth to blow his brains out and leave her the insurance money. So, you see, Marvella Nevil goes a long way on any road to get what she wants. She would even make the trip as far as the ducal palace of Kwang-kung to make sure of the most highly valued ducal jewel.” He paused a moment and smiled somewhat banteringly into the slant black eyes. “A very clever woman to get the best of you, my friend Kwang-kung!” ”