Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-02-09
S1APTER XVIII.

Tho sun had sunk below tho horizon; the
sky became darkenod, and the lights of the
"Namovnan more and more dim. Fairfax
reused himself from his rcverie, gave one
last look at the yacht, with a silent PRAYER
for her safety, and was turning back 20
the world aud 10 work, when an iron hand
was land upon his shoulder, and q clear
voice, with slightly foreign accent,
uttered tho self-answored question:
"Mr. Fairfax, believed"
Naturally somewhat startled, Fairfax
looked at the face OF his interlocutor. In
the darkness, he could distinguish a short,
stout man with strong Napoloonic nose
and jaw. He know II could be no other
than Lonvait, OF St. Malo.
"Ahr' said he, quickly, "Monslcur jean
Louvnit, I've been expecting you. am
delighted TO sec you"
Louvait, In his turn, was surprised. How
did this man know hint Where had he
ever seen hint Again, supposing he had
seen him, how was he aware Of the pros
ence in America Of the detective, Jean
Louvait, who was supposed 20 be at his
post in ST. Maloi His respect for the
wonderful cleverness Of this Fairfax in
creased. Recovering himself, he said alb
ruptly.
"Where is the Princess Nataliem
Fairfax made no reply, but pointed "a the
scarcely visible lights Of the "Nauovnan
LouvRit looked and understood. With an
oath he brought down his clcnched fist
upon his thigh, and quickly turning TO Fair
fax. he assumed his most pleasant sraile 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
| give 10 no other man. How did you accom-.
plish iti"
A little lattered by such praise from
man himself 20 oble, Fairfax entered into a
more pleasant humor, and putting his arm
through LOuvait's, said;
"Friend Louvait, you have not dined You
must be hungry. Come with me ana won
talk II all over together over bottle Of wine
and cigars. Tomorrow morning loave
We may not meet again.
The two, detective and detected, the one
unsuccessful, the other successful, yet dc
feated, passed lolsurely over the meadow
toward Glen Gore cottage.
Al they neared the house tall, muscr-
lar figure, With long, firm strides, came
swinging down the road that wound up 10
zoe cottage. Louvait discngagcd his arm
from that Of Fairfax, with the remark:
"StOpl think see a friend coming"
Picking up the dead branch Of n tree ho
planted himself in the newcomers path.
shopldered the limb as he would muskct,
and assuming q bombastic attitude, called
out IN mocling tones:
"'Ah. who art thou that's crossed the sea,
That dark and stormy watcri
The bird has flown, fair Natalie.
'Tis ell In vain we've sought her.
Advance, friend, and give the counter
sign, or III shoot you on the spot. My very
dear, much respected and clever brother
detective, allow me 10 inform you that
although have beaten you In every point,
here Is q gentleman who has beaten me, and
consequently both Of us.n
Mr.. Fairfax, allow me TO present my
greatest rival, Jean Leroi."
monsieur LeroL you must como with US
for bite and a 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 on
tered tho cottage, where they were duly
presented 10 Miss Strong.
There was brilliant, II small party at
Glen Gore that evening.
LOuvait and Leroi could assume at win
tho role OF a gentleman or a peasant with
such clcyerness that the genuine mcmborB
suadod that they behold only vcneering.
Each man Of the company was seeking 10
cover up his own Individual ldisappointments.
Each man had risked a great deal In this
anair Of the abduction. Each recognized In
tho others mon Of unusual ability, OF
extraordinary courage and determination;
and each was bent upon creating In the
others favorable opinion rs regards him
self.
That little dining-rOom re-echood with
such brilliant salies 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 Il had been hcr good fortune 70
hear some Of the brightest wits and table
tallfcrs OF the day; she had never before
listened 10 such meteorically-brilliant dis
play OF conversational ability.
After dinner the men fingered over
their wine and cigars. Fairfax took ad-
vantage Of temporary lull in the conyer.
sation 70 say;
'Mr Louyait, you are anxious to hear
my story. ] win tel you with pleasure,
hn' 1'i,y on ono condition. Flrst, however,
let me inform you that the Princess Natalie
hadxlwin IL now on he- way back 10 Europe
under the protection OF tho Lady Lydia
Droadncres"
Louyait and Lorol both stared at this.
"She wln prefer no charge whatsoever
against me. On the contrary, she and lady
Lydia both desire 10 keep the matter as
qnlet and secret IS possible / have the
latter's own word for H. Furthermore, no
effort viii be nude even 10 discover who
were my coadjutors In the abduction. They
VIII endcayor, m every way, 10 protect
irom the law tho owner OF tho yacht that
brought ns hither and you. gentlemen, OF
course, lSioS ell about that and also 70
protect an others directly or Indirectly con.
nccted with The kdair You see Il viii he
futile % attempt anything farther.
'Nhl you, gentlemen. givo me your prom
lHe thai you win lot tho mntfrr dpoplr
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