Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-24

S.iIu DeglOVed, Marie.
That morning Folliet had left Armand in
farls with no apparent intention of coming
,, h1ther But now. with a sudden remem-
| pTance, he recollected Armand's question
whether or no he, Folliet would be found
at Wines that night, and he recalled the
1act that Armand had asked it just after
tne detectives expression of uncertainty as
10 whether ne would be able to find Mrs.
'dhSlttart In moment the incompatible
seIf-asSurance of the young man dawned
upon him. and. in spite of himself, he broke
/ mo laugh He understood the others
"hole motive; stirred by some Whm of
gratitude toward Vansittart the conserva-
teire freshling had come to help the old fer
let in his chasei
We'll I'm very glad to see you, sir"
SAID toiliet. and you, madam" extending
| his hand. This is very unexpected Are
| you passing through"
NO not exactly that monsieur" answer
ca Armand. Paris is getting insufferabN
dull Just now. So l thought I would give
you shock. To be startling is my voca-
ton | see that the village is quite a
wines drinkable?"
Armand, within the last few days of
wealth, had become a fastidous connois-
Seur OF wines, though his extra travelling
expenses to this place had only been obtain
ed by two Journeys of Marie to the Mont
de Piete. ' -'oi'
$3.50 said Folliet. but about the ma
chimes! | thought
on, quite so. monsieur. Those have been
| attended TO. l had plenty of time for that
matter. l have left my Instructions with
me nr1n you mentioned, and the things win,
70 douot, be ready within the specified time
but-Mrs- Vansittart! Is there anv hone
monsieur. if one might ask?"
VOW mat Foiliet's laugh was over at the
whimsical aDparition of the pair he vas
rather Yexed at the intrusion
he said, dryly
~ this time Marie had taken off her
Things The landlords daughter entar.d
with roast capon and grirny bottle of
drink '--N ''so "
Here" he said, is to her speedy res
cue, and drained his glass twice in success
sion. -
But if you drink much wine" WHISPERED
Marie, how is NJ. Foliet to find her them
me relation between the amount imbibed
ny armand and Folliets powers of dis
CoVery, though vague seemed unite CHAR
to Marie; Folliet. had he heard would not
rave been greatly fiattered, perhaps
nave neen reading the Paris papers,
to-let OF course, they are full of nothing
put the sIorv Of the abduction as much of
IL as our host here could supply to report
ers Ard l have been making a theory of
t the vent, l am theorist, SRA born
theorist. The difference, NJ. FoIliet. be-
tween the theorist and the practical man
you will find 10 lie in this, that the practical
man IS always wrongly theoretical, and the
lh7orlst IS, in general, rightly practical If
you tell me, sir that l am dreamer. L
reply that to dream well is to hit straight
on the mead that central, inner nail which
| TiVetS the universe Except the dreamer
NJ. Foliiet believe me- there is nohody
worth mentioning. l find this wine good
sir" e0ou
II is not bad wine" said Folliet. meeklv.
one has only to keep drinking it, in
satisfaction"
Yes he said. lit is-it is Argonne wine.
SionSieur' Mrs. Fansittart is at Argonne."
w nat do you mean, monsieur"
mat wine iS truth
times quite unexpected truth, as now. l
presume you are able to see some sort of
relation between the fact that this wine is
Arsonne ard the disappearance of Mrs
Fansjttart?'
Foliiet winked a Observation-Disclosures
he lifted his head and looked round the
room NO, certainly, here the chain of il
terence was too long for his ken; and he
had been able to see much in his time too
do not see any relation, monsieur" he
said, simply.
No replied Armand, perhaps it is IN
fair to expect that you should The fact
Is, L believe that | have a far more inti-
mate knowledge of French wines than YOU
monsieur Let me, however. tell you two
facts, and then, | think, you will be able
to comprehend: first, that when l entered
this inn, l ordered our host with threats
which he could see l meant, to place before
| me the very best wine in his house; and,
secondly, that in spite of these threats |
never for a moment supposed that he would
give me Argonne, inasmuch as Argonne has
lately become the rarest, as it is one Of
the most exquisite wines on earth"
And why did you not suppose that he
would give 1t you when you asked for his
best?" said Folliet.
Because I felt sure, monsieur, that such
a wine could not possibly be found in such
an inn"
Yet here, you see. it is"
J IS, mere II is, monsieur But l am will
ing to wager you a thousand francs that if
you offer our host million louis for a
dozen similar bottles he will be unable to
produce them"
Saying so, he rosa, and tugged the bell
the room.
Monsieur said Armand carelessly.
this is excellent beverage you give me. /
compliment you"
Il am pleased you like it, SIR said thu
old man, bowling.
so well, monsieur. that 1 have deter
mined TO offer you tour hundred francs per
bottle for six bottles tomorrow when L con-
tinue my journey"
-Four hundred francs" echoed the old
man, in a kind if glee.
-Four hundred frances
But. sir, / have only four bottles leftr'
That is a pity" said Armand -Four
would be useless to me-" He glanced at
Foiiiet.
said the old man. confused. You have
one, the gentleman near you another-there
are but four left
.Whasi You gave monsieur a bottle, too,
eTous. lGndlord."
rs ii. then. very excellent wine, mon
sieur?''
What! You do not know its name
even?''
No. monsieur. no: forget its name. But
am aware that it is the best / have-for
l tasted it."
so? When?"
"A short time since monsieur"
THAT is not telling me when however"
The old man hesitated.
hen do you say?" persisted Armand.
Yesterday, monsieur"
You only bought them yesterday. then2',
THAT is all, sir"
How / should like to buy some, Pray
tell me. whom did you buy them from o.
Again the old man hesitated FoI!iet's
eyes hxed on his face. saw 1t pale n little
though. so far, the detective knew not in
the least whittier this dialogue tended
All. you are unwilling to tell me WHOM,
you bought them FROM" said Armand. at
| Is trade secret perhaps. Yet / know.
Let me tell you. You bought them from
the TWO guests who drove away from your
Inn last nis ut at o'clock
Inc old mans eyes opened in some alarm
Suspicion. he knew, had turned upon these
TWO as being connected with the two who
| had remained behind. and had presurr ably
committed the outrage. The old mac be-
gan TO perceive clearly that these two were
more other than detectives from Paris be-