The Holly chieftain., 1902-08-01
CHATTER III-(co..i..sd.)

All surely uot YOU, monsieur, not
you. But the danger OF which speak
is genuine. 1t springs from country
man of mine and his friend, the great
and bold Count Leon villebois. They
have a trap Of some sort set for you.
! should you threaten to win In the
game you are playing. They are men
without any regard for the law or
right. Stromboloff is Cossack of the
Don. whose peculiar habits cling to
him even in Paris, while the other
has lived SO long amid wild border
scenes in Africa that he has learned to
take what he wants when the mood
comes on. So you will see that they
make dangerous combination, and
they seem to hate your friend espe-
cially."
"A thousand thanks, princess, for
your warning. and on your part pray
believe that we are not ungrateful for
your kindness because we have al
ready been placed on our guard"
Se showed desire to break away.
Though evidently piqued more or
less by her inability to fascinate him,
the clever woman knew how to play
her cards too we'll to think of precipi-
tating matters
Il hope We shall meet again. mon
sieur. when perhaps you will be able
to give me little more time" she
said, archly. holding out her hand to
him
That will be pleasure shall look
forward to-" he replied. gallantly, as
he pressed her hand, nor did the prin-
cess fail to return the squeeze.
Yet when he passed from her sight
Mark Merrick gave the beautiful wo-
man no further thought, nor did he
dream that their interview had been
fntently observed by a demure little
figure seated in window at the far
end OF the parlor. figure that bore
more or less resemblance to the South
African heiress who had attracted his
attention and caused memories to
thronS his mind As he surveyed her
through the glass that same morning
In the Bots de Boulogne.
Merrick went straight to the room
which his companion occupied.
No sooner had he entered, however,
than he saw there was something
wrong, for Jones had look of dis
gust upon his face.
More trouble, my dear boy" he
said, with poor excuse Of a grin, "the
Joneses amt used to much, I'll admit,
but this Is pretty rough treatment even
for them. After all our work, this is
the barren result"
uo hold I'm ha o~o~
Mark could see what 1t contained
sheet Of paper well crumpled and
soiled, yet a sheet OF paper upon
which not single stroke of pen or
pencil could be discovered.
That was all!
Somehow the comical side OF the
matter presented itself to Merrick, ami
for the life Of him he could not resist
smiling.
"But-there Is NO system-at least,
died with the man who broke the
bank" said Merrick. seizing the paper
and examining 1t carefully.
Then he was struck with the keen
expression Of his companion's face.
What! you still have faith?" he
demanded.
We'll, 1t dies hard with me. l am
about to order cab and go back"
ITO the monastery"
"To Father Anselmo."
"Ah! you suspect him?"
Mot Of having Intentionally deceiv-
ed me, but Of having made a mistake.
See here. on the outside of the packet |
is rough cross. Some one put that
there in order to remember true
from false. Perhaps the dummy
was arranged in order to meet soma
possible emergency such a. theft"
Unless you object, l should like you
to occupy my chair and smoke my
cigars until take the turn around.
Given three-quarters of an hour, and
shall be back, unless I am detained
unusually long at the other end"
Merrick thought he noticed q mean
ing back'of his words, and was quick
to say 20.
You expect company here?''
We'll, 1t is always possible. Those
fellows are not built on the order Of
cutters. We shall see more Of them
sooner or later. perhaps the former"
Merrick dropped into an easy chair,
with his face toward the door. he
opened the cigar box and selected
weed. which he lighted. then from his
pocket he drew little piece Of steel
mechanism which he laid upon the
table beside him.