The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-23

"a very strange letter." answered Nendale.
''The matter has taken a new turn ana the
letter ipssts-Without excepting anybody on
my keeping our next proceedings profound
secret"
Obenreizer, As he said the words, he walked
away again, thoughtfully, TO the window at the
other end of the room, looked out for moment,
and suddenly came back to Vendale, Surely
they must have forgotenp he resumed, ''or
they would have excepted meW
at is Monsieur ROLAND who writes" said Ven
dale. "And, as you say, he must certainly have
forgotten. That vie OF the matter quite
escaped me. l was just wishing / had you to
consult, when you came into the room. And
here am tied by formal prohibition, which
cannot possibly have been intended TO include
you. How very annoying"
Obenieizer's flmy eyes fixed on Yeudale at
tentvely.
perhaps II is more than ANNOYING ~ he said.
II came this morning not only to hear the ne VS.,
but TO otier myself as messenger, negotiator-
what you will. Would you believe 1T? l have
letters which oblige me to go to switzerland i'm
mediately. Messages documents, anything-I
could have taken them all 10 Defresnier and
ROLAND for you.n
"You are the very man ] wanted returned
Vendale. Il had decided, most unwlllingly,
on going 10 Neuchatel myself, not five minutes
since, because | could find no one here capable
of taking my place. Let me look at the letter
again.
He opened the strong room to get at the letter.
ObenTeiZer, after first glancing round him to
make sure that they were alone, followed a step
or two and waited, measuring Vendale with his
eye. Vendale was the tailest man, and unmis-
takably the strongest man also of the two.
Obenreizer turned away, and warmed himself at
the fire.
MEANWHILE Vendale read the last paragraph
in the letter for the third time. There was the
plain warnlng-there was the closing sentence,
which insisted on a literal Interpretation of 1t.
The hand which was leading Vendale in the
dark led him on that condition only. A large
sum was at stake; terrible suspicion remained
to be verified. II he acted on his own responsi-
blity, and If anything happened to defeat the
object in view who would be blamed I? As q
man of business, Vendae had but one course to
follow. He loo ked the letter up again.
ut is most annoying" he said to Obenreizer,
''it Is piece of forgetfulness on Monsieur Rol-
lands part which puts me to serious inconveni-
enCe, and places me in an absuldly false posi-.
ton towards you. What am / to do? I am
acting in very serious matter, and acting
entirely in the dark. have no choice but to be
guided, not by the spirit but by the letter of
my instructions. You understand me, / am
sure? You know, If / had not been fettered in
this way, how gladly 1 should have accepted
your services 2?
Say no morep returned obenreizer ''Iu
your place / should have done the same. My
good friend, take no ottense. thank you for
your pliment. We shall be travelling com
panions, at any ate added Obenreizer. you
go, as go, at onceW
''At once. must speak to Marguerite first, OF
coursew
"Surely! surely! Speak to her this evening.
Come and pick me up on the way TO the station.
We go together by the mail train to-night"
"By the mail train tonight
1t was later than Vendale had anticipated
when he drove up to the house in Soho Square.
Business difficulties, occasiOned by his sudden
departure, bad presented themselves by dozens.
| A cruelty large share of the time which he had
hoped to devote to Marguerite had been claimed
by duties at his Office which 1t was impossible to
| neglect.
TO his surprise and delight, she was alone in
| the drawing-room when he entered it.
1--WE have only few minutes, George" she
! said. But Madame Dor has been good 10 me
and we can have those few minutes alone" She
| threw her arms round his neck, and whispered
! eagerly, Have you done anything to offend
| Mr.. ObenreZerW
"I!" exclaimed Vendale, in amazement.
| Hush ~ she said 81 want TO whisper it.
| you. This afternoon 1t happened to be on the
chimney piece. He took itup and looked at ii
@ have SE oended de- @ 6im ae IS S meroiless; he 3G i
| revengetul; he is as secret as the grave
Don't go with him, George-don't go with
| him !"
my own love-" returned vendale, "you are
letting your fancy friehten you Obenreizer
and were never better friends than we are al
| this moment"
Before a word more could be said, the sud-
den movement of some ponderous body shook
the floor of the next room. The shock was
followed by the appearance OF Madame Dor
''0benreizer! ~ exclaimed this excellent person
in a whisper, and pumped down instantly IL
her regular place by the stove.
0benreiZer came in with courier's bag
strapped over his shoulder.
''Are you ready Z" he asked, addressing Ven
dale. "Can take anything tor you? You have
no travelling bag. l have got one. Here is the
compartment for papers, open at your service
''Thank you," said Vendale. 81 have only
one paper of importance with me; and thai
paper l am bound TO take charge of myself
Here it is" he added, touching the breast-pocke
OF his coat, land here it must remain till we ge
! to Neuchatel."
AS he said these words, Marguerite's hauG
caught his, and pressed it significantly. She
was looking towards Obenrezer Before Ven
dale could look, in his turn, Obenreizer haG
wheeled round, and was taking leave of Ma
| dame Dor.
"Adieu. my charming niece !" he said, turning
| TO Marguerite next. ''En route, my friend, tol
Neuchatel" He tapped Vendale lightly ovel
the breastpocket of his coat, and led the way tC
| the door.
Vendaes last look was for Marguerite
Mareuerite's last words to him were DON
go!"
ITO be continued