The Princeton union., 1903-02-19

wipe off the reproach of his past years.
At length, on the Saturday afternoon,
ne betook himself to the box office of
the theater in the Rue Richelieu. No
sooner had he mentioned his name than
the clerk produced the order in an en-
Nelope of which the address was scarce
ly dry.
1T has been taken this moment"
said the clerk.
"Indeedv' said Francis. May l ask
what the gentleman was like?'
"Your friend is easy to describe" re-
Piled the official. "He is old and strong
and beautiful, with white hair and a
saber cut across his face You cannot
fail to recognize so marked person.
mo, indeed" returned Francis, "and
thank you for your politeness"
He cannot yet be far distant" add
ed the clerk. IF you make haste, you
might still overtal1e him.
Francis did not wait to be twice told.
he ran precipitately from the theater
into the middle Of the street and looked
IN all directions. More than one white
halred man was within sight; but,
though he overlook each of them in
succession, all wanted the saber cut.
For nearly half an hour he tried one
street after another in the neighbor-
mood until at length, recognizing the
1olly OF continual search, he started on
a walk to compose his agitated feel
lngs, for this proximity of an encounter
with him to whom he could not doubt
ne owed the day had profoundly moved
the young man.
1t CHANGED that his way led up the
Rue Drouot and thence up the Rue des
Martyrs, and chance in this case served
him better than all the forethought in
the world. for on the outer boulevard
ne saw two men in earnest colloQuy
upon seat. One was dark, young and
handsome, secularly dressed, but with
an lndelible clerical stamp. The other
answered in every particular to the
description given him by the clerk.
Francis felt his heart beat high in his
bosom. He knew he was now about to
hear the voice of his father, and, max
ing a wide circuit he noiselessly took
his place behind the couple in question,
who were too much interested in their
talk to observe much else. AS Francis
had expected, the conversation was
conducted in the English language.
Your suspicious begin to annoy me,
Rolles," said the old man. II tell you l
am doing my utmost. A man cannot
lay his hand OH millions in a moment.
Have not taken you up, mere stran-
ger, out Of pure good will? Are you not
living largely on my bounty?"
ION your advances, Mr.. Vandeleur," i"
corrected the other.
Advances, if you choose, and inter-
est instead of good will, if you prefer
it," returned Vandeleur angrily. II am
not here to pick expressions. Business
Is business, and your business, let me
remind you, is too muddy for such airs.
Trust me or leave me alone and find
some one else, but let us have an end.
for Gods sake, of your jeremiads''
Il am beginning to learn the world" i"
| replied the other, land I see that you
| have every reason to play me false and
not one to deal honestly. l am not here
to pick expressions either. You wish
| the diamond for yourself You know
you do-you dare not deny it. Have
you not already forged my name and
searched my lodging in my absence.
l understand the cause of your delays.
You are lying in wait. You are the
diamond hunter, forsooth, and sooner
or later, by fair means or foul, you'll
lay your hands upon it. I tell you it
must stop. Push me much farther, and
l promise you surprise
1T does not become you to use
threats" returned Vandeleur. 1.-TWO
can play at that. My brother is here
in Paris, the police are on the alert,
and if you persist in wearying me with
your caterwauling will arrange a lit
tie astonishment for you, Mr.. ROLES
But mine shall be once and for all. Do
you understand, or would you prefer
me to tell it you in Hebrew? There is
an end to all things, and you have
come to the end of my patience. Tues
day, at Z, not day, not an hour, soon
er, not the least part of a second, if it
were to save your life. And if you do
not choose to wait, you may go to the
bottomless pit for me and welcome"
And SO saying the dictator arose
from the bench and marched off in the
direction of Montmarte, shaking his
head and swinging his cane with a
most furious air, while his companion
remained where he was in an attitude
I of great detection.
Francis was at the pitch of surprise
and horror. His sentiments had been
shocked to the last degree. The hopeful
tenderness with which he had taken
his place upon the bench was trans
formed into repulsion and despair. Old
Mr.. Scrymgeour. he reflected, was a
far more kindly and creditable parent
than this dangerous and violent in
triguer. But he retained his presence
Of mind and suffered not a moment to
elapse before he was on the trail of the
dictator. .@.- .
That gentleman's fury carried him
forward at a brisk pace, and he was