The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-08-17

tie, ana applied MS handkerchief to his
tears without disguise
Don't say any more about 1t, Ham
iltOn," said Alexis, in a sort of quiet
exasperation. Then he broke out
"The thing was lost in darkness. It
was seven years old, and everybody
concerned had forgotten 1t, or con-
sented to put it out of mind Why in
heavens name should 1t be dragged
into the light again at this time of day,
when all the misery and suspicion and
suspense had been suffered long ago
and had been lived down? More mis-
cry, more suspicion. Open shame, by
heaven! And nothing to end it all but
suicide or the gallows."
He went up and down the room in a
swift, irregular walk, wringing his
hands.
"Hush!" he cried, suddenly.
There's Gervase at the door. heard
his latchkey."
The Wallets step sounded lightly in
the corridor. He passed into his own
quarters, and the listeners heard him
close the door behind him.
'It's hard" said Billery. Its bit
ter hard"
Alexis stood still and held up his
hand.
There's somebody coming up the
stairs. | thought So Here"
The electric bell sounded shrilly
and Gervase opened the outside door.
nnmpnt later bp onppnr rad
'Grimaud IS here, sir. He wants to
know IL he can have the honor OF q
word"
Send him in," said Alexis. Grim
aud entered, hat in hand His aspect
of cheap fineness had disappeared. He
was still overdressed. but his clothes
were well cut and new. His boots,
gloves, hat, and linen were all IRE
proachable. He stood bowling at the
entrance, and offered very passable
imitation of gentleman. Come in.
Grimaud; come in," said Alexis, hearth.
ly. "Sit down, my good fellow. You
remember Mr.. Billery, Of course. You
knew him well in the old days of the
studio in the Cite d'Antin.''
81 have the honor to remember Mr..
Billery," said Grimaud.
'Gervase," said Alexis, bring
whisky and soda and cigars. Come in,
Grimaud, and sit down when you're
told, like reasonable person. And
what is the news. Grimaud?"
Billery found reason for it in less
than half minute later, but Alexiss
manner at first wholly puzzled him. 1t
was as artificial as that of an unprac-
ticed actor on the stage, as falsely
genial and as forced. Alexis had Ger
vase for a gallery, and when the door
closed behind him for a moment he
dropped into the tone of nature.
LET us speak French" he said,
when that fellow returns"
Gervase returned with salver
laden with decanter, glasses, and a
cigar box Alexis broke out in French
with the same false vivacity as before,
talking of the theaters, the days news
anything that came into his head;
and none of it worth saying or worth
listening to. When the man had once
more retired he motoned to his guests
to help themselves, and when they
were supplied poured out a beaker
for himself. He drank 1t at a gulp.
fumbled in the box for cigar with a
hand so agitated that his fingers
drummed at the sides, and, leaning for
ward with gesture to draw his hear
ers nearer, spoke in a subdued voice. |
and still in French.
my friend Mr. Billery knows of the
discovery on which you lighted my
Good Grimaud, and he had himself ar
rived at. it, and had built his own con-
clusions on it some weeks before |
You are both in my confidence and I |
am in yours You are the only persons |
in the world to whom can speak
about this terrible affair, and want to |
know what you advise and what we |
can do-if we can do anything - to |
stave off the horror of exposure. Tell |
me, Grimaud, when did you first be- |
gin to suspect my cousin?'
II began to suspect the real author !
of the crime" said Grimaud, within |
an hour of the time at which l first |
heard of it,"
Ito Be Continued