The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1896-08-01

away before he could reach them. Ire
fume walked after them, but they still
avoided him and began conversing earn
estly together. The fisherman hest
tated; he thought they had something
private on, and he did not wish TO in
trude. 1t never entered his head that
they were avoiding him. He did not
intend to lose his chance, so he contin-
ued his walk after them at respectable
distance. Two or three times, when he
thought the moment opportune, he APP
preached them, hat in hand, and at
tempted to speak TO them in his best
French, but was met with scowl and a
growl that made him retire. He put
it down to American-or English man.
ners, and with sigh he Withdrew for
few minutes.
The two Americans were evidently
much perplexed at the strange conduct
Of their passenger; they were
worried about it, too; so finally they
spoke to the under steward concerning
Trefume. The official was more busy
than ever, but he was fond of joke,
and thought he might as well enliven
the routine of the day by little fun.
"You know that there has been
big robbery in Paris" he said, in con-
fidential whisper. "Well, | wouldn't
mind betting this man is Jean Earnest,
the eleverest detective in France, who
is on the track of the thieves and has
disguised himself as a fisherman from
the south"
The two men looked at each other,
thanked the under steward and dived
into their cabin, from which they only
emerged when the ship was actually
alongside the quay. Poor Trefume
looked for them in vain. They got off
the steamer unobserved by him, and he
was left to find his way about New
York as best he could.
How he went through the rest of that
day, where he lodged at night, he
never knew. He began again on the
following day looking for the embassy,
asking the way in his provincial
French, and being laughed at and
treated with contempt as an impostor,
until, sick at heart and thoroughly dis
eouraged, he sat down on doorstep
and began to cry. Uncle Sambuq
might have journeyed to his native
country to die, and thus have made
things easier for his heir!
After few minutes he plucked up
courage and determined to try again.
He had just reached the end of the
street when he saw one of the Ameri-
cans to whom the under steward had
referred him on the steamer. He had
changed his clothes and cut off his
beard, but Trefume was positive that it
was the same man.
Monsieur, monsieur!" he cried, run
ming toward the man.
Whether the man heard the words or
not, he took to his heels as soon as he
saw the Frenchman running.
What" said Trefume to himself, in
an indignant tone. This man knows
New York as well as know Endoume,
and he won't help me!
Away they went, the American and
Trefume. In vain the former doubled
this corner and that, his pursuer stuck
to him until, thoroughly exhausted, the
American took refuge in bar and
awaited the arrival of his pursuer.
: 80 l have you at last" exclaimed
the Frenchman. "Why did you run
away and give me all this trouble /?
Now you must"
"Hushl" interrupted the American,
turning pale in spite of the violent ex-
orcise. Don't make FUSS" he con-
tinued, in excellent French; that will
be of no use. Come and sit down in
this corner"
"Ah! that's BETTER" thought Ire
fume. But he simply looked knowing
ly at the man and took a seat.
II know what you have come to New
York for" said the man.
Good again!" thought the fisher
man; but before he could speak, the
American continued:
eve can arrange this little affair,
can't we, without further bother2"
"Of course we canl" exclaimed Ire
fume, thinking still that the man was
talking about Uncle Sambuq's fartune,
That's agreed. Now, how much do
you want?'
"My fair share, of counsel" replied
the Frenchman.
"Fll give you this pocketbook-.t has
100000 francs in French notes-I have
not had time to exchange them for
American money. They are good, you
need not be afraid that they are bad or
stopped. viii that satisfy your"
'Is that my fair share?" asked Ire
fume, doubtfully.
How much do you expect?" asked
the other, irritably. at was a good
thing, but it wasn't gold mine, and
there are several to share it. It's either
that or nothingl"
swell! I'll take it'll" said Trefume,
beginning to fear that he might lose
all
VERY well! Now, you have this on
condition that you go back in the
Bretagne, and the Bretagne starts in
two hours. And remember, you have
never seen mel"
The pocketbook was handed TO him,
and he scrutinized the notes. They
were all right. He tried to explain it
all TO himself; he was not clear on
some points; but the more he tried to
think it out, the more confused he be-
came. Only one thing was clear: he
had succeeded in getting a good slice of
Uncle Sambuq's fortune and was now a
rich man.
Thus it came about that Master Ire
fume, having had the good fortune to
be taken for a detective. became the