The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-06-16
Captains Double


Observation-Disclosures
speak and look but himself, to deceive
the whole world, and be taken for the
man he takes the place of, what then,
O chief?'
Signor X frowned slightly. "Then,
indeed, the personation would be the
surest way" he said. But the age of
miracles is: not now and there is no
hope of it. Also, the time of parallels
is past.'
There is no parable, o chief. can
bring a man to help us so like the one
we want to make our own that his own
mother would not know him from the
other but with long watching. He
would deceive her till she studied him
no casual look at him or speech with
him would tell her she spoke to an
other-he could take the part of the
commandments aide-de-camp and the
commandant would scarcely guess it;
he could walk in and out of the strong
room, were the right man away from
it, unchallenged and unstopped."
Signor X turned his piercing
glance on him and sombre light
flashed in his eyes. IF there be such
a man." he said, <.he would fit our pur-
pose But where is he to be found?"
LET me but go in search of him.:
briefest space of time that can be
named. l had the thought only yes
terday, for I was sure then: I saw a
photograph of the man we are, talking
of, and suspected. I needed to wait
to see him till I was certain i went
to the place where he stays, in another
county, and I saw him in the hunting
field. He is so like the man I would
put in his place that couldtbelieve
saw himself were it possible. for him
to be gentleman among gentlemen" :"
"And you can lay your hand! upon
the other?"
II saw him only last week in Lon
don. He did not see me, but l know
where he may be found. I saw him
last in India. I never thought that he
was in this country, but he is the in
strument to our hand"
"The instrument! But will he work
for us?"
A sardonic, chilly shadow of a smile
crossed the face Of the other man. "He
was in trouble in India,' he said, '*such
trouble as he left the country to escape
from. He would do a good deal rather
than be handed over to the authorities
When I tell him who I am and what l
know about him he will be ready to do
what we want, and more, to save his
own neck. l have the key to the situ-
alton; promise to use it. Have I au-
thority?"
Signor x hesitated. GAS last re-
source" he said, considering. ut may
be OF the greatest value to us. But
there is still danger in acting through
a non-member of the society. which we
all recognize and admit, and which it
is best to avoid if other methods will
do. We will confide the first venture
to the baron; should he fail, which we
have no reason to anticipate after his
past successes, there is Countess 1lka.
If she. hitherto invincible, should fail
also, We accept your plan and leave
not remind you how great will be the
reward of success. The first deal lies
with the baron; let him speak for him
self"
A man in a corner rose slowly and
removed the hat slouched over his
wit ha beard and mustache and impe-
rial; his complexion was sickly and
he looked like q clerk. He spoke in a
voice thin, penetrating and disagree
able. Il am here, signor, at your
service. What are your orders for
me?"
You have heard. To you is entrust-
ed thing of weight and Importance.
1t is yours to obtain these papers on
which so mighty a secret rests. You
will win the liking and the friendship
and the confidence Of the aide-de-camp
to the commandant; you will lead him
on to talk. If he knows-as they say
he does-he can be made to tell you ::
if he only knows the place where lie
the papers, that will also serve. You
will find if he is to be won to show
them to you. Try him on the side of
vanity, of pique, of trust in you, of
mere bravado; try him on his every
side. Get the secret from him; it is
to be had. You have a charge entrust-
ed to you that if you fail will be hand
ed to woman. Do not let your man.
hood have that taunt."
The sickly complexion. turned faint
1y red at the words Of the signor-
strange sign of youth, where there was
none other to be seen. The eyes be
low their shaggy brows flashed fire;
the hand went to its side as II a sword
were there. IT: - hear, signor:" It was
the only reply, but: yitS was III 4 voice
|: that forgot to.be disguised. ..s It was the
voice eYof s. and trained