The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-03-18

You're the only one could carry 1T
through s5si
'I?'' said he, 'I?" with little unbe-
lieving laugh. Gone, man. you're jok-
ing. You don't mean it seriously?
dosthe thing Oh I say"' and he burst
out in a roar of laughter that died away
quickly. / could see the swift course OF
his thoughts as we'll as if he had .spok-
en- them could see him picturing the
possibilities Of the scheme. balancing its
risks gloating over it's dangers. 1t was
just the reckless enterprise to take his
fancy as had known before called him
across the room. | %s
Then all at once his face became puz-
zled. ~. - - ~ 4
."But-but say" he cried. why didn't
one Of you go in for the part? Why did
you drag me. into it? Why not you,
Creighton or you. Colonel Won Altdorf?
I don't quite understand .-..
"Why. You see.'' said I. stanmering
bit. and turning color I've no doubt, you
see II couldn't do it because" but
Mackenzie interrupted me. ~ =.
".Fhere are excellent reasons, said he.
mo use going into them. You are the
man to do it. Mr.. Mallory You're used to
deeficut situations an dangers. Let be
at that! Now Wen make it a business
matter. We stand ready to offer, you-no
wait, wait a bit. man!-to offer you 1000
francs a month for your services. That
will do away with your havin' to follow
your regular vocation, for we could not
think of bringin' you into the affair, that
is none of yours, on other grounds =
The angry flush died slowly away from
young Mallory's face as he considered
'Why to be sure said he, thought
fully I've my living to make, such as
it u.s. and this will let me out OF that
cursed newspaper work for a bit.
thousand rnonth-forty quid! why that's
luxury. And the checker game again
lives and deaths. BY the saints, it gives
me a genuine, thrill A quick eye and a
ready hand and mind lookin' three ways
at once Done. by the gods! done, gentle
men! I'm your man. And he laughed
aloud joyously, and put out hand to
Mackenzie over the table. But Macken-
ze was busy with the big meerschaum
| just then: .'>, .i..t
AS for Won Altdorf he was suddenly en-
gagged in rolling a cigarette which
seemed to demand his whole attention.
| And I-oh, I take no pride In telling 1t
now-was doing something wholly un-
! necessary to my cravat. And my cheeks
burned red I was not grown old In such
| matters like Mackenzie and Won Alt
! dorf. e.. . . 49,.
Young Mallory looked at our faces
quickly, in turn then down at his out
| stretched hand and up again. He frowned
| a little, and his eyes were puzzled, hurt
like a child's He drew the hand back to
| as if he thought there must be something
| him slowly and touched 1t with the otner
| wrong with it.
''Why-gentlemen." he said In a little
surprised stammering tone, II don't
UNDER Then all at once he halted
and remained silent for a long time: His
| face flushed crimson and paled again.
| ''Ah!" said he at last, very low, II think
I-see-I'm the-cat's paw! You wouldn't
do the thing yourselves, it's too-low. It's
a bit of dirty work that you, think no
gentleman could bring himself to- SO you
wouldn't do it--and- and you won't take
the hand of the man who will do the thing.
You were looking for*a-a blackguard and
yoI-chose me! Good God in .heaven!'
He dropped his face into his hands for
1 an instant Il think l. have never seen
! such shame, such huniliat ton, in any
eyes. I couldn't bear to meet them.
"You-chose me?' said he again in a
half whisper. why, it is a rather black
guardly thingato do, isn't it, deceiving a
woman? Shed trust. us-ne,> utterly,
wouldn't she? She wouldn't have a suspi-
cion. She'd be happy. I expect, beauti-
fully happy with it all. till-ttll she was
told. Oh it's damnable!' He caught up
the half filled tumbler of absinthe and
drained it at a gulp. ."Damnable!'', said
he a little thickly, "damnable!
THEREAFTER a moment, he began tc
> laugh and 11is<eyes grew heavy and Bit
glazed once more. t !. -
1t was as if MacKenzie's drug: had hello
him for the few moments and then giver
. way. all in an instant, at the first touch
of the drink,
| Come, come. gentlemen said he, eve
mustn't quarrel. LIP children love one
mother. We've got work to do among us
You think I'm no gentleman. I don't care
Gimme me my forty quid month an IL
do the work. ... .
He made a sudden frowning effort tt
pull himself together and turned about tt
, Mackenzie with a certain dignity. ~
!, "You-your logic. sir, is a bit beyont
, me- said he. -%''If it's blackguardIy 70
: me- to do the thing, 1. can't see but it's
. it's blackguardly in you to countenance it
When do you wtsh-wfen do you wish t.
commence?' # .-gs...-.
Y eve will commence" said the Scots
I man, at once, tomorrow. Every day
e delay is a pressing danger He looke
v down at the glasses before him., Eve
, old Mackenzie. couldn't meet. the Irish
, mans eyes just then. "As for your-you
S suspicious Of our-attitude toward you
t you're quite wrong of course, of course
!, We're equally responsible with you i
q everything. Now listen carefully, please
i You will be presented to-Tnadame you
|. WIFE; Your wife, you understand? by me
a. You will spend an hour or two of each da
S with her, at my house or In the garden
). as she may prefer. The short intervle,
t will be explained to her on the grounds &
S Iheriweak state and nervous condition. C
d Ecourse, as a matter of fact, she will mel
n Their expect nor wish for more at the pres
o ent, since you'll meet, We understan
S in a way of speakin'. as stran
If gers. She'll not remember yol
: When she's well enough and strong enoug
the whole thing shall be- explained to he
=: My place. in case-ye don't know, Is tn
d old convent property with the big gardel
between the rue Denfert Rochereau an
l.. the Boulevard Rasfail."
(. Young Mallory caught at the edge
e the table. 80. r. .5.s-sE- s..s #s.
s 'What?" she cried sharply. s''wha1
" Say, that again, man! The big garde
y. that backs upon the rue, Boissonade?''
!? The same. . nodded Mackenzie.
: "Great God!" said the Irishn1an softl
and his eyes were round and strange.
s'Wait-wait! And the-the prince.
>, walks-sometimes- the garden, tai
!. very beautiful-brown bronze shair?'
g '.WelI?" queried Gavin.
a why IL have a-sort OF studio in tt
~ rue Boissonade',' said young Mallory. !,
-. was as if he spoke. to himself.
f. Give seen the-princess. I wont {
in it!'' he cried suddenly. by heaven II
of no blackguard, and you shan't make n
&c one! I've done queer things in quet
I places, and I'm not proud Of my life
~ of what I've done with it, but by n
TT faith, I'll not play a sourvy trick upon tn;
is woman Of all people In the world. - r
you've agreed to do it, said MacKe1
I'D zie quietly "And if you don't do it. TIL;
ou woman will very TnrOhab1v' eso mad In