The Minneapolis journal., 1901-08-07
PIERRE s

Copyright. 1901, by Florence Goodfellow.
Pierre Latrouxs mouse-likc eyes snapped
and sparkled like two jet beads as he listened
to the plan Levi Arnold unfolded.
mon Dieu!" he exclaimed. 'Tis too good
a chance to let slip You are sure he added
cautiously, that the scheme is all right so
far?''
Come to my place this evening and l will
give you the diamonds, safe and sound II
they reach my clients hands in New York
within months time you will get your re-
ward in gold-5O0 francs"
Good! I'll manage it somehow. Just
trust me-"
Without a doubt you've done smuggling
before"
Pierre looked up sharply
There is no trickery in this monsieur?
II ! thought there was, rest assured you
would not live to see your plans either sue
ceed or fail, and he drew his hands across
ms throat with an expression so peculiar that
his listener shivered.
NO, you have nothing to fear. Jeremy
Stotts told me to come to you. You could
not do better than to go to him about me-
Jeremy Stotts is man to be trusted If
he sent you then tonight I'll come for the
diamonds How many did you say there
were?''
Pierre, if you fall
Pierre shrugged his shoulders carelesslv.
I've smuggled before! There's nice bit
OF superfne tobacco 1 intend to get across
this trip. Oh, never fear, monsieur, if any
one can do it, it is Pierre, second officer of
the Ocean Queen. AdIeu?' And placing be-
tween his lips the cigarette he had been roll
ing, the little Frenchman waved his hand and
strolled away
II was simple mater, while on board, for
the smuggler to keep his diamonds and to-
oacco concealed but as the Ocean Queen
drew nearer the American shores his heart
beat wildly between hope and fear. and
woven with all his daily duties was the ques-
tion; How? How? How" For to Pierre's
ears had come the rumor of fresh vigilance
on the part of the American authorities
smuggling had become altogether 100 daring
and too frequent. Especially had some tre-
mendous deals in diamonds reused the custom
officials to action
Before the ship had scraped her sides
against the pier, however, a plan had been
evolved by the Frenchman's ready brain
Inspectors came and went about the ship.
but the quick little officer entertained them
SO W1ttily that they were more alive to the
Frenchman's drollery than TO their search
No smuggled goods Of any description were
discovered on board the Ocean Queen and
the officers of the government left Pierre with
AO5AOb anu Ine QeIerLulnaClOn TO look up the
jolly little Frenchman the very next time his
ship came in.
few days after the visit Of the inspectors,
Pierre, with a huge covered basket on his
arm, stepped boldly down the gangplank,
across the shipping yard into the street.
He held one hand carefully on the lid of
the basket, which was tied down at each side
with heavy twine. Certainly his appearance
was not calculated to quiet suspicion, and be-
fore he had passed the street a policeman
touched him on the shoulder
Excuse me, sir" he said, "but shall
have to look into that basket"
Look into my basket!' exclaimed Pierre
in well feigned astonshment. ''And for
why?' he added, holding the lid down more
firmly.
"Our orders, SIR
But my cat is in the basket and she will
get away"