Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-04

che charge against his fellow-passen-
gers. After that it was easy to trace
him to Belfast and his hiding piac.
on land. Extradition was of cours /.
granted, and he left tho place. Had
he not imagined that in his safety
he could indulge his vanities. I conf.
IDENTIFY believe 1 should never have
found him. When you come to think
lof it, 1t is hard to come to the gull
lotine for a diamond that never ex.
listed, il 1t not?"
I agreed with him, and then sug-
lEested that we should amuse our
selves by endeavoring to find out
how the dinner at the Cafe des Am.
bassadeurs WAS progressing.
"They will proceed to theater
afterwards, you may be sure" my
companion said. "1n that case il you
like we could catch glimpse Of them
as they come out. What do you
say?"
answered that I had not the least
objection.
"One night does not make much
difference. Tomorrow morning !
shall make a point of meeting him
face to face"
SHOULD you require any assist
ance then, shall be most pleased to
give it to you," my companion re.
piled.
1 thanked him for his offer, and
then we left the restaurant together,
hailed q cab, and drove to his fat.
toto I - 81 +oI
at the top of lofty block Of build.
ings near the river From his win.
dows he could look out over Paris,
and he was won't to declare that the
view he received in exchange was the
most beautiful in the world. Fine
as it was. was scarcely so enthus.
iastic in my praise.
Among other things they we're re-
markable for the simplicity of their
furniture, and also for the fact that
in the sitting-room there was moth.
ing to reveal the occupation Of their
owner. His clever old servant,
Susanna, of whom twas said she
would, did she but choose, make as
clever a detective as her master (she
had served him for more than 40
years., brought us coffee so quickly
that il would almost seem as if she
had been aware that we should reach
the house at that particular moment.
1--WE have plenty of time TO spare"
said my host. In the meantime it
will be necessary for us to find out
what they are doing. If you will
wait I will dispatch a messenger,
who will procure US the informa-
ton
He wrote something on half.
sheet of note-paper, rang the bell,
and handed it to Susanna.
Give that to Leon" he said, land
tell him to be off with it at once"
The woman disappeared. and when
she had gone we resumed our con.
versation. Had he not had the good
fortune to be such a great success in
his own profession, what an admir-
able actor the man would have made!
His power of facial contorton was
extraordinary, and l believe that on
demand he could have initiated al
most any face that struck his fancy.
And now with regard to our lit.
tie excursion" he said. What would
you like to be? AS you are aware,
can offer you varied selection.
Will you be workman, a peddlcr, an
elderly gentleman from the PROV
inces, or street beggar?"
Il think the elderly gentleman
from the provinces would suit me
best" I answered, while it will not
necessitate a change Of dress"
Very good, then, so it shall be-"
he replied. Well be a couple Of
elderly gentlemen in Paris for the
first time. Let me conduct YOU to
my dreSsing-room, where you will
find all that 10 necessary for your
makeup"
He thereupon showed me to a
room leading out of that in which we
had hitherto been sitting. 1t was
very small, and lighted by means of
q skylight. Indeed it was that very
skyllght, SO he always declared, that
induced him TO take the fiat.
If this room looked out over the
back, or front, it would have been
necessary for me either to have cur
tains, which I abominate, or to run
the risk of being observed, which
would have been far worse" he had
remarked to me once. "Needless 10
say there are times when I find il
most necessary that my preparations
should not be suspected"
TO BE CONTINU ED.