River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-03-22
CHAPTER XVIII.


reused himself from his reverie, gave one
last look at the yacht, with silent prayer
for her safety, and was turning back to
the world and to work, when an iron hand
was land upon his shoulder, and a clear
voice, with a slightly foreign accent,
uttered the self-answered question:
'.Mr Fairfax. believed"
Naturally somewhat startled, Fairfax
looked at the face of his interlocutor. In
the darkness, he could distinguish short,
stout man with strong Nap0leonic nose
and jaw He knew it could be no other
than LOlvait, of St MalO
'sAhl'i said he, quickly, Monsieur Jean
Louvait. I've been expecting you. / am
delighted 10 see you"
LOuvait, in his turn, was surprised. How
did this man know hint Where had he
ever seen himl Again, supposing he had
seen him, how was he aware of the pres
ence in America OF the detective, Jean
LoUvait, who was supposed to be at his
post in St. MalO! HIS respect for the
wonderful cleverness Of this Fairfax in
creased. Recovering himself, he said alb
rupt,y.
s.Where is the Princess NataEe2'
Fairfax made no reply, but pointed to the
scarcely visible lights of the ''NamoTna-"
Loavait looked and understood With an
oath he brought down his cleuched fist
upon his tn; gh, and quickly turning to Fair
fax. he assumed his most pleasant smile and
held out his hand, saying:
Mr.. Fairfax, you are the most clever
man / ever saw. You have spoiled the
making of the finest detective in all Europe.
am beaten, but respect you with respect
l give TO no other man. How did you accom-
plish iti''
A little flattered by such praise from
man himself so able, Fairfa- entered into
more pleasant humOr, and putting his arm
through L0uvait's, said:
''Friend Louvait, you have not dined You
must be hungry. Come with me and we II
talk il all over together over bottle of wine
and cigars. Tomorrow morning l leave.
We may not meet again"
The two. detective and detected, the one
unsuccessful, the other successful, yet de-
feated, passed leisurely over the meadow
toward Glen Gore cottage.
As they neared the house tall, muscu-
lar figure, with long. firm strides, came
swinging down the road that wound up TO
the cottage. LOIvait disengaged his arm
from that of Fairfax, with the remark:
StOpi think l see friend coming"
Picking up the dead branch of tree he
planted himself in the newcomers path,
shouldered the limb as he wOIld musket,
and assuming a bombastic attitude, called
out in hooking tones:
- All. who art thou that's crossed the sea,
That dark and stormy waterf
The bird has flown, far Natalie,
It's all in vain we've sought her.
. Advance, friend, and give the counter
sign. or I'll shoot you on the spot. Ny very
dear, much respected and clever brother
detective, allow me to inform you that
although have beaten you in every point,
here is 4 gentleman who has beaten me, and
consequently both of u.s.
Mr.. Fairfax, allow ne to present my
greatest rival. Jean Leroi''
Monsieur LerOi, you must come with US
for bite and glass of wine," said Fair
fax, shaking hands with the new conner.
Arm in arm the trio, Fairfax in the CEN
ter, sauntered down the avenue and en-
tered the cottage, where they were duly
presented to Miss Strong.
There was brilliant, if small party at
Glen Gore that evening.
LOuvait and LerOi could assume at will
the role Of a gentleman or a peasant with
such cleverncss that the genuine members
Of either class could with difficulty be per-
suaded that they beheld only veneering.
Each man of the company was seeking to
cover up his own individual disappointments.
Each man had risked a great deal in this
affair of the abduction. Each recognized in
the others men of unusual ability, of
extraordinary courage and determination;
and each was bent upon creating in the
others favorable opinion as regards him
self.
That little dining-roOm re-echoed with
such brilliant sallies Of wit. such astonish-
ing anecdotes. such marvellously keen
opinions of men and matters in general, that
Miss Strong listened in pure delight and
wonder. She afterward declared that, al
though it had been her good fortune to
hear some of the brightest wits and table
takers of the day, she had never before
listened 20 such meteorically-b brilliant dis
play Of conversational ability.
After dinner the men fingered over
their wine and cigars. Fairfax took ad-
vantage Of a temporary lull in the CONVEX
satiOn to say:
Mr. Louvait, you are anxious to hear
my story. l will tel you with pleasure,
but only on one condition. First, however,
let me inform you that the Princess Natalie
Radziwill Is now on her way back TO Europe
under the protection of the Lady Lydia
Broadacres.''
Louvait and Leroi both stared at this.
s'She viii prefer no charge whatsoever
against me. On the contrary, she and lady
lydia both desire 10 keep the matter as
quiet and secret as possible. ! have the
laster's own word for it. Furthermore, no
effort viii be made even TO discover who
were my coadjutors in the abduction. They
will endeavor, IN every way, 10 protect
from the law the owner of the yacht that
brought Us hither- and yoI, gentlemen, of
course, know al about that and also 10
protect al others directly o. indirectly con-
nected with the affair. You see it will be
futile 10 attempt anythir e farther.
''Wlll You, gentlemen, give me your prom
ise that yOa viii let the matter dropi'
For a moment there was silence. Louvait
was the first 10 speak.
Il WILL said he, but only upon one con-
dition. as I consider il useless 10 pursue
the business farther. And then, again,
I'm anxious TO learn if your story comedies
with nv theory"
Il viii. also, Mr. Fairfax, and for the same
reasons" added Leroi.
What Is your condition, Mr.. Lcuvaitl'
inquired the American
THAT, il your story agrees with my
theory, Of which / have copy in my pocket
II Il agrees with my theory, You viii prom
ise 70 write il out in full, secure the sigma
lures Of all participants therein and APP
pend your own, together with that Of the
proper magistrate. in order TO attest the
genuineness o. the document which you
must promise 10 send ne. Is it not justice
that should desire 10 advance my reputa-
ton among those Of ny prOfessioni'
At the close Of Fairiaxs recital. Louvait
vehemensly struck the table with his fists
ard calculated:
Good! Nv theory to t. The theory
that precisely one month ago sent 10 the
head Of the police department"
''Whatg'' interrupted Lcroi. ''you sent
your theory 10 Paris a month agoi did
the same thing, but only Just before left
France
Vow said Fairfax, Il have tod my
story. Let me hear yours
Whereupon both Louvait and Leroi mar
rated their adventures. their various haps
and mishaps. Il was long after midnight
when the party broke up Fairfax insisted
rrrlnn his n-llasfs sleaninc AZ Glen Gore