Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-07-07

prise was genuine.
But he soon recovered himself, and, !
bowling with Difference, said. with
covert irony:
Permit me 20 offer my congratu-
lations. monsieur. Besides being the
belle tonight. Mademoiselle Madeleine /
Is worth, hear. hGsf a million"
Raoui de Layers had anxiously been
watching the people near them, TO see
if they overheard thss conversation.
"We have had enough of this Cos
sip" he said. in disdainrul tone; Il
will only say one thing more, Master
Clown, and that is. that your tongue
is too long"
Perhaps il is. my pretty youth. per
havs e IS; lv't r'v o~ui IS sffn Inner
De Clameran here interrupted them
by saying;
1T is impossible for one 20 seek an
explanation from man who conceals
his identity under the guise of q
fool"
you are at liberty. my lord doge.
20 AJAX the master of the house who I
am-if you dare"
"You are" cried Clameran, you
are"
A warning look from Raoul checked
the forge master from using an cpl
tibet which would have led to an af-
fray, or at least a scandalous scene.
The clown stood by with sardonic
smile. and. after "a moments silence.
stared NJ. de Clameran steadily in the
face, and In measured tones. said:
Il was the best friend. monsieur.
that your brother CASTOR ever had. I
was HIS adviser, and the confidant Of
his last wishes"
These words fell like clap Of thun-
der upon De Clameran.
He turned deadly pale. and started
back with his hands stretched out be-
fore him. as--if shrinking from .
phantom.
He tried TO answer. 10 protest
against this assertion, but the words
froze on his lips. His fright was pitt
able.
Come. let ms CO. said Layers. who
was perfectly cool
And he dragged Clamerun away.
half supporting him. for he staggered
like drunken man, and chung TO ev-
cry object he passed, TO prevent fall
ing.
"Ohi" exclaimed the clown. I'm three
different tones. ooh. obi"
lie himself was almost as much as
tonished as the forge master, and re-
manned rooted 10 the spot. watching
the latter as he slowly left the room.
IL was with no decided object in
view that he had ventured TO use the
last mysteriously threatening words.
but he had been inspired 20 do so by
his wonderful instinct. which with him
was like the scent OF "a bloodhound.
What can this mean2' ne muir
murs. why was he 30 frightened
| What terrible memory have I awal<-
ened In his base soul2 I need not
boast Of my penetration. or the sub
( uety OF my plans. There is great
master who, without any effort. ia an
instant destroys all my chimeras; hc
is called Chance"
His mind had wandered far from
the present scene. when he was
brought back 20 his situation 10y some
one touching him on the shoulder. It
was the man ia the Venetian cloak.
Are you satisfied. Monsieur Yer.
| duret?" he inquired.
"Nes and no. Monsieur the Count
No, because I have not completely
I achieved the object / had i'm view
3 when / asked YOU for AN invita- tior
here tonight; yes. because these two
} ruscals behaved in manner which
dispels all doubt"
r And yet you complain"
Il do not complain. Monsieur the
p Count; on the contrary.I bless chance
or rather Providence, which has just
r. revealed 10 me the existence of Sc
r cret that | did not before even sus
pect."
, Five or six people approached tn,
count, and he went of with them AZ
ter a friendly nod.
r The latter instantly threw aside hi
d banner, and started in pursuit o
t Nine. FauveL He found her sittins
on sofa in the large salon, engage
S in an animated conversation witt
i Madeleine.
"Of course they are talking over tn,
= scene; but what has become of La
T. gors and De Clan>eran2"
lie soon saw them wandering amons
the groups scattered about the room
:. and eagerly asking questions.
II will bet my head these honora
BILE gentlemen are trying TO find on
who 1 am. Keep il up. my friends
c ask everybody in the room; wis
you success"
They soon gave IL up, but were 81
5 pre-occupied. and anxious TO be alone
. in order TO reflect and delibers t.
/ that without waiting for supper, the!
took leave OF Mime. Fauvel and he
e niece. saying they were going home.
Z The clown saw them going up u
the dressing room for their cloak=
and in a few minutes leave the house
II have nothing more to do here,
he murmured; Il might as well e
too"