The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-05-27

waif of the American Pacific coast CIVIL
cation, and yet, oddly enough, have ever
found him truthful and honest.
"How do YOU designate him?'
when he first drifted under my care
he rejoiced in the sobriquet of The Dip
per- and seemed to nave no other name.
I have called him Dip, or Dipper, ever
since.
Boncourt laughed. -
Il can probably make use of him, said
he. Send the lad to me Tomorrow.
Jasper promised to do so, and then
took his departure.
1t was late hour, but, nevertheless,
Boncourt was no sooner alone then he
looked out into the hallway, and called
up the darkened stairs.
"Adele!" he called.
He was responded to. Then there was
O rustling on the stairs, and Adele entered
the room. looking somewhat pale, but
very lovely in the neglige of half-bound
tresses and rich dressing-robe.
Have I disturbed you?" asked Adele 8
brother, with o gentleness that was now,
at least, all genuine. IF 30, I must crave
pardon, and defer what 1 was going to
say"
No." she replied, sinking into q
fauteuil. My headache left me with Q
nervousness that kept me from sleeping.
l have long been lying awnke, wondering
as to the result Of your anticipated inter-
view with thet returned wanderer.
1T has resulted miserably-just in
nothing at ALT" said he, peevishly.
He had befoGs this given her running
account of the dinner at Marlowe's, and
he now recounted succinctly the features
ef the interview that had just ended.
This is most unfortunate" said Adele,
when he had finished. However, am
perfectly sure of Noel, come what may,
and the banker must still imagine the
tell-tale document in your possession,
which is all the same thing"
Not exactly" said Boncourt, uneasily.
you speak of taking into your service
that odd little lad who was here this
morning." said Adele after pause.
what IS your object in that2"
Chiefly to oblige you, my dear. He ls
represented as such prodigy of alert
ness, and all that, as to make me think he
may be Of service in sundry Tays-espe-
ciaIly IN London. This wouId enable me
to disembarrass myself of that Rolling
stone, whom you SO detest.
And with reason; but this forethought
in my behalf is very kind of you, AL
phonse. That fellows want of spirit
and decency in venturing to attach him
self to you. here in England, still
amazes ME.
Drink and continued hard luck can
debase o weak man wonderfully, Adele.
But no more of him; I shall speedily
dispense with him. Now about that
missing paper. must get hold of it be-
fore Jasper, and he. undoubtedly, has
also tracked its whereabouts. You NAY
be able to aid me materially in this quesS,
Adele"
Il? Why, where is it hidden?"
In Noel Marlowe's inside breast.
pocket, have now not the slightest
doubt, he replied, with eagerness. And
then, after setting before her his imag-
mary picture of the bankers Office at the
time of Noers entrance on the heels Of
the attempted murder, he added:
"Dou't you SEQ that the young man may
have picked up the piece Of writing mad.
vertently? He doubtlessly inclosed it
unawares in the newspaper he was seek
ing, and put them both together in his
pocket. You afterward decided capri
ciciously not to listen to the extract he
was desirous of reading: otherwise the
precious document must at once have
come to light"
Adele slightly yawned.
Dreadful responsibility! Woman's
caprice, as usual, she murmured. "Well,
Alphonse, what does it all amount to? II
Noel really pocketed the instrument of
his own fathers ruin, in accordance with
this theory-which strikes me as laugh.
ably absurd-it is probable that it is al
last missing beyond recovery. He must
before this have thrown away the news.
paper and whatever it might have inclosed
as worthless.
You mistake; the probability is that
he has not. He has some eccentric habits
for so young man. One of several that
I have noted is his custom of carrying
newspapers of no particular significance
for long time"
Il believe I have remarked it, too, and
wondered at such commercial habit in
one like Noel" said Adele, indiferently.
But still cannot share your impression
that he is still bearing the writing about
with him"
Jasper Marlowe shares it, at all events,
depend upon it. The recovery of the pa.
per is even more important to him than
to me. He will dog Noel, like his shad-
ow, to get it again into his hands. He
must be forestalled at any cost"
You exaggerate its importance,
Alphonse, I am sure. But what would
you have me do?"
Noel, of course, must remain in ig-
norance of possessing it. To call his at
tention to it would entail the risk of his
mastering the contents-of discovering
MS own fathers vlllalny. That woule
upset my plans at once. / rely uI14
you, Adele, to obt ain it of him withoA
exciting his suspicious"
How"
you, pretty woman, and to ask thati
Are there not tender moments when You
are alone with him-would tho oppor-
tunity be lacking?"
Adele's face flushed indignantly.
So you think me capable of picking
arr arms? Oh, Alphone!"
Not that exactly. Pray don't be
angry, Adele! But might you not ask
him for the newspaper, and then snatch
il from him playfully, with the remark
that you would read it at your !!?y..Ssre:'
And perhaps leave the MISSING 9ocu.
ment still in his pocket? It would pos
sibly have become loose, if there at oil.
and then the risk of his reading it would
be all the greater"
True; that is we'll taken. But wait;
see how we'll manage. Day after to-
morrow, as you know, am to entertain
Noel here. with bis friends. Sauanderall.
Slr Harry wlidlng, and some others.
Don't lcok.alarmed; it is not the same
party of profigates that you are to aid
me in trapping day later in London.
Adele again colored.
You misir.terpreted my gesture-do
ra,, thinl dni,,t know thnt2n she OK.