, 1891-09-06

reddish, was cut rather short. ana stood
upright over his head without any part
ing, in the French manner. His beard,
also cropped short and pointed at the
chin, wa of the same hue; but his eye
brows and eyelashes, and his eyes them
selves were somewhat darker, giving n
peculiar character to his countenance,
scarcely modified by the gold trimmed
eyeglasses tina sat astride his handsome
nose. A black double breasted coat was
buttoned round his figure, and his erect
and slightly formal carriage bespoke
military training. His clothes were per
fectly cut, with just a suspicion Of dandy
ism in the fashion of the collar and the
design of the scarfpin. But dandyism
in a foreigner is simply foreign" and
bears no stigma. 1t was evident at p
glance that Baron Lucien de Isle was a
gentleman in the most exacting sense of
the word.
Good morning. sir" said Tom, glanc-
ing from the card in his hand to the wish
tor before him. "Have u chair. Can /
do anything for your
81 desire it" returned the count. His
voice was quiet and grave and marked
by a Gallo accent, perceptible at first,
but to which one soon became accus-
toned. He spoke English, as Tom soon
noted, quite automatically, though with
a more careful precision thar IA native
would use. He sat down, put his hat
and gold headed cane on the book shelf
and began to take off his gloves, which
were of the two button variety, and elab-
orately stitched on the backs.
81 am in New York to stay some
time" he continued, land l wish IA
house. The hotel, you comprehend, is
excellent, but not-not-not"- He
made a gesture with his right hand, on
the finger of which was a large and
beautiful ring.
mot enough elbow room" o sug-
gested. mo, | suppose not. But, by
the way, I'm not n real estate agent, I'm
n lawyer"
II comprehend. But | am a stranger
here; l find the customs unfamiliar. l
thought. if l get some one to act for me,
it is more %expedient and quicker. pay
each month so much, all is done and |
make no mistake. Am | clear.'
Il understand what you mean said
Tom, ~endeavoring to disguise his excite
ment by rubbing his chin and looking
out of the window. by George!'
thought he to himself, IF this fellows
MS rich as they say, | may make money
| out of him. Wonder how five thousand
n year would strike him2 Courage, my
boy! Now or never! You would like
me TO take entire charge Of your bust
ness affairs while you are here" he con,
tinued aloud. well, l suppose some
such arrangement could be made. But
there'd be n great deal of work connected
with it, and prices are high in New
York, you know" He looked up at his
visitor with n smile.
81 shall hope there Will be no dis
agreement about that" said the count,
with II slight inclination of the head. Il
shall submit to your demands; but | had
intended offering you ten thousand dol
lars"-
Ten thousand a year, exclaimed
Tenn, surprised into a iubilant tone. In
n moment his warm Irish imagination
had built a hundred castles in the air.
pardon me; l would not expect you
+ o accept that, " said the count, gravely.
II had hoped to induce you to give your
time almost wholly to my affairs, and if.
ten thousand dollars a month, paid
monthly in advance. will ~secrrr-v0Ir
services The Arrangement will crafty
me-"
Tom turned his chair round so ms To
face his ~nterlocutor souarelv. and looked
M him several moments in silence. ..Do
Won seriously nronose. Couut de Lisle"
he said Mt length, ..to offer to nav me a
salary Mt the rate of one hundred and
twenty thousand dollars a year?"
h count inclined his head without
sneakinp
well said Tom. I'm afraid ! shall
have IN decline IL -
~ should be sorry for that. Ma l
ask xvbvyr
am tell Won inst what's in NV mind.
Spcb n snm ia nnhenrd of In my pro-
fession rye made IL n rule never to do
ANYTHING that would make me feel I'M
Observation-Disclosures To look myself in
the face. You can get any Legitimate
business done for ten thousand n year; al
any rate, I'd do anything that didn't
hurt my conscience for that, or half oil
it. But ten thousand a month mean:
that You are after something that is MOI
legitimate, and l must tell you thai
you've come to the wrong place for itS'
The count listened to this speech very
attentively and it evidently pleased him
Il see / have not been misinformet
about you" he said. ~ am glad yor
nave so frankly spoken. When You know
me better you will withdraw your reflec
ton on my motives. l intend no crime
nothing that your conscience or You