Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-02-14
CHAPTER xxvIr.

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The sun had sunk below the horizon; the
slsy became darkened, and the lights of the
"Namovna" more and more dim Fairfax
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 lald upon his shoulder, and clear
voice, with a slightly foreign accent,
uttered the self-answered question:
Mr.. Fairfax, believes"
Naturally somewhat startled, Fairfax
looked at the face Of his interlocutor In
the darkness, he could distinguish a short,
stout man with strong Napoleonic nose
and Jaw. He knew 1t could be no other
than Louvait. Of St Mnlo.
"Ahr' said he, quickly "Monsieur Jean
Louvait, I've been expecting you. am
delighted to see 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 pres
ence in America of the detective, Jean
Louvait, who was supposed to be at his
post in st. Malol His respect for the
wonderful cleverness of this Fairfax in
creased Recovering himself. he said alb
ruptly.
"Where is the Princess Natal1ef
Fairfax made no reply, but pointed to the
scarcely visible lights of the "Namovna'
Louvait looked and understood. With an
oath he brought down his clenched fist
upon his thigh, 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
Al. 4 al
am beaten, but respect you with respect
giyc to no other man. How did you accom-
plish itl'
A little flattered by such praise from "A
man himself 50 able, Fairfax entered into a
moro pleasant humor, and putting his arm
through Louvait's. said
Friend Louvait, you have not dined. You
must be hungry. Come with me and Wen
talk il all over together over bottle of wine
and cigars. Tomorrow morning 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. Louvait disengaged his arm
from that Of Fairfax, with the remark:
stop Think I see a friend coming
Picking up the dead branch of tree he
planted himself in the newcomers path,
shouidered the limb as he would musket,
and assuming bombastic attitude, called
ont In hooking tones:
- An: WHO art thou that's crossed the sea,
That dark and stormy water:
The bird has flown, fair Natalie.
It's al 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 to inform you that
although have beaten you in every point,
here is a gentleman who has beaten me, and
Consequently both Of u.s.
Mr.. Fairfax, allow me TO present my
greatest rival, Jean Leroi"
monsieur Leroi, you must come with US
for a bite and q glass of wine" said Fam
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 a brilliant, il small party at
Glen Gore that evening.
Louvait and Leroi could assume at will
the role Of a gentleman or a peasant with
such cleverness that the genuine members
OF either class could with difficulty be per-
suaded that they behold only veneering
Each man Of the company was seeking TO
cover up his own individual disappointm
Each man had risked 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 e-echoed with
such brilliant sallies of WI such astonish-
ing anecdotes, such msrye.lously 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 to such a metcorically brilliant dis
play Of conversational ability.
After dinner the men fingered over
their wine and cigars Fairfax took ad-
vaBiage Of temporary lull in the CONVEX