The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-04-09
CHAPTER VII.

RAND. MsNALLy & ca.
CHAPTER VII.
'I-f HE COLONEL IN
N formed his sister,
e ! ! ! !; ! /
SAA in-law the same
IN MA4 evening Of the sue
SWEkk~ cess Of his expedi-
G1ZENSN ton to Limehouse
.ADSt2NnS1 He described his in
@hfSR@SSHI terview with john
,,MVH0SSfg" stone at some
YMHBNGA a length, and with a
fyNNNSSV good deal Of dra-
WV matte skill.
"Then you en-
trapped the man rather than persuaded
him?" she asked.
Il certainly did not intrust him with
our secret" he replied. 'That can be
easily explained at any time before we
reach st. Helena"
''And you have no fear that he will
draw back when he finds out the real
nature Of the service required from
him?"
"He's not that kind of,man. Besides.
whatever he may be. let me once get
him on board, and I'll answer for his
going through with the affair.""
Camilla looked as If this remark was
less unexpected than unwelcome.
''Withvwith any one else," she said.
whom you might wish to engage in a
higher capacity, you would Of course
proceed openly?"
The colonel saw the point Of this
question at once. and felt himself in q
difficulty. He had as yet come to no
definite idea Of how Dick was to be
gained; he glanced at his sister-in-law
and saw an indignant resolve fore
Swallowed on her face. If he hesitated
he was lost; she would resume her
right Of interference, and warn Est
court.
All this flashed through his mind in
an instant.
Let us be quite candid with one an
other" he said. IF you will promise to
leave me free hand, will undertake
to write plain, straightforward letter
to Captain Estcourt. simply setting out
our design, and asking him to join US. -
Every WELL" she said. coldly.
You promise, them" he asked.
"Of course" she said; ''but in any
case he needs no warning against an
open attempt"
The colonel was inclined to think so
too. but he said nothing, and retired to
consider the matter more attentively in
the diplomatic atmosphere Of his own
eoom. t
During the next few days nothing
more was heard Of the subject. Dick
called several times. and the colonel
noted with satisfaction his growing in
kimacy with Camilla.
The end Of the week-the last before
the start-was now drawing near. The
time had come for the colonel to spread
his net, and he was ready in his place.
waiting only for the favorable moment.
1t was not long delayed. On the FRI
day afternoon Camilla asked him
whether he expected to be much oc-
cupied on the following day.
''No," he replied; II have no engage
ment whatever"
II am told" she said, "that there are
some fine Claudes and Watteaus at No.
. Great Russell Street. The house is
to be let furnished, and they allow one
to walk in and see the pictures"
He bowed, to hide the cat-like eager
Acss of his eyes.
~ thought" she continued, "that It
would be an agreeable way of passing
the morning; and If you can come too,
we might invite Captain Estcourt to ac-
company us. He said something about
calling. and there's nothing to amuse
him here. Then will you invite him?"
1he asked, after a pause.
with pleasure" said the colonel. in
his most formal and Indifferent tone:
and the subject dropped.
After dinner the same evening he ap-
sheet of paper in his hand.
"This." he said. holding it out to Ca
milla. lis rough draft Of the letter I
propose writing to Estcourt, in accord
ance with our agreement Of a few days
ago" =.
She took 1t and read as follows:
my Dear Captain Estcourt: MY sis
ter-in-law and have more than once
limited to you how deeply we are devot-
ed to the service Of the Emperor Ma
poleon. and how cruelty we have felt
his exile. A favorable opportunity has
now presented itself for attempting his
liberation. and we are to start almost
Immediately for our base of operations.
From what you have already told us
of your views on his matesty's inn
prisonment. and from the cordial and
intimate friendship with which you
have honored us. am induced to hope
that you will give us your loyal assist
ance In this expedition. II we may rely
on you for this important service, will
you be good enough to meet us at the
time and place mentioned below, when
I shall have the pleasure of introducing
to you NJ. Carnac and M. lie Comte de
Rabodanges, two of our most trusted
confederates. In case. however, you
should unhappily feel unable to join us,
may I ask you to destroy this letter
at once, and not refer to it again? We
shall understand your silence as re-
fusal.'
She weighed every phase and every
word with painful care. then tossed the
paper back to him without comment
'That meets with your approval,
fhen?' he asked.
"on the contrary" she replied. "the
whole thing is a folly. and meets with
my disapproval; but II a letter must go
by all means let that be the form Of IT,
you think It = well calculated ia
achieve its object?" asked the colonel
with pretense of anxiety