The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-10-09

py eIo neUz Coua 90 reaoneu. CerGalniy
she had much 10 reflect upon, but in a
state of nervous tension 1t Is difficult to
impel ones thoughts along any desired
route. Her tumultuous meditations re-
suited in sleep, and she awoke to find
Pagny, the French frontier station, sink
ing into the evening twilight and No
veane, the German custom house, in near
view. Then she breathed more freely than
she had dared during the past fortnight.
Immediately danger was in the rear What
tho future would bring was question for
the future
The train crawled into Metz just az
darkness settled down in earnest. The
station was inditferently Illuminated, and
as she alighted she usually swept the plat
form. The smile that she had summoned
vanished. and her heart gave downward
throb of bitter disappointment.
Where was hcY Had he changed his
mind and alighted ut an intermediate
stationg
A voice spoke over her shoulder
"Surely your English friend has not
played you false"
Madame turned quickly and confronted
her husband
Ii either exhibited embarrassment, it
was hOb NJ.
in the course OF the journey from Paris
had drawn several mental pictures of this
meeting, but the actual differed from them
all. She stood before him with eyes filled
with love-that sober love exhibited ut u
crisis before the passionate outburst.
Il have known Dick Halstoa from child
hood, she replied, and he never broke
faith with anybody. But we cannot talk
here
She led the way to the stufry though
half deserted waiting room.
Where is he, them" satirically iEquir-
ed monsieur. You appointed to meet
him herc:'
He is in Paris, ~ she replied
He turned coward before your dept.r-
ture. -
How blind you are, Victorl Cannot
you guess what Dick is going to do in
Paris during our absence"
"Solving conundrums is not ny forte. "
"Dick is n London detective. He is in
Paris on professional business. Cannot
you guess now"
again, nor
''Victorr' the namc broke from her like
a cry. Won't you conflde in me? Dick
and have conspircd to save you. 1 do
not believe that you are guilty of-of what
they would have arrested you for but for
Dicks timely warning and scheming. |
know there is some explanation; that you
arc not-what they say. Won't you con-
fide in me: We are safe now, dear. Dick
says they will not follow you over the from
tier, and
She stopped. The amazement in his
face puzzled her.
WINNIE he said, "what do you mean:
l fail to understand your illusions.
81 meant mean the coming. Oh, you
know! Won't you contide in me now"
ION my honor, Winnie, your words are
riddles to me-" He spoke emphatically,
truly.
Then she explained to him how the Lon
don police had suspected that English coun-
forfeit coins We're being imported from
Paris; how they had gained the co-oPera-
ton of the French police, who had tracked
the coiners to NJ. Girardin's jewelry shop,
and how Dick HalstoR had been sent TO
Paris to superintend their arrest. To all
of which NJ Girardin listened with stupe-
faction. Then he emphaticaly denied all
knowledge of the affair and vowed that the
Paris detectives had made egregious asses
of themselves
They are to make raid on your shop
tomorrow" added Winnie. "That rs why
we lured you here today, taking advantage
of the jealousy you had displayed at Dick :
visits and my silence. And Dick felt GER
tain that the man you had employed to
watch his comings and goings would take
my telegram straight to you"
N. Girardin had begun to knit his
brows. He consulted time table, and re-
turning to madame remarked with Il trou-
bled voice that Fortunately there was a
night express to Paris, and he would lie
abe to reach his shop in the Rue de la
Pai1 before the raid was begun.
Some time ago | let an electrically
lighted basement room to TIVE men pur-
porting to be small working goldsmiths, -
he added, land l suspect that the coming
| apparatus will be found there. l was never
| quite. satisfied with my subterranean ten
ants, but l never suspected until now
They returned to Paris by the night OK
press and found NJ. Girardin's latest sus-
picions established truths Dick Halston
was sincerely apologize for his mistake,
| but NJ. Girardin would srarce listen to him.
You and Winnie have certainly made u
mistake on a foundation hardly flattcring
to me, but l have made II perfect fool Of
| myself l ask your pardon, monsieurr--.
Bristol (EnglandD Observer.