Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-10-12
CHAPTER T

AS l reclined at greater length on the
cushions of the stuffy compartment,
hhougnt how strange a company we were
tnen being carried over the dull, drear
pasture land of France, to the lights, the
music and the life of the great capital.
Roderlck and | had been at Caius Col
legt, Cambridge, together, friends drawn
the closer in affection because our condi-
tons IN klth and kin, in possession and
In purpose, in ambition and in idleness,
were so very like. Roderick was an or
phan 24 years of age, young rich, desir-
ing to know life, caring for no man, not
vital enough to realize danger, a good
fellow, a gentleman. His sister was his
only care. He gave to her the strength of
en- undivided love.
FOR myself, Twas % when the strange
things of which l am about to write hap
pened to me. My father had left me
100000, which | drew upon when l was
of age; but, shame that l should write
it, l had spent more than 100000 in four
years, and my schooner, the Celsis, with
some few thousand pounds, alone remain
ed to me- OF what was my future to be,
l knew not. In the senseless purpose of
my life, l said only, 1T will come, the
tide in my affairs which taken at the
flood should lead on to fortune" And in
this supreme folly l lived the days, now
In the Mediterranean, now cruising round
the coast of England, now flying of a sud
den to Paris. A journey fraught with
folly the child of folly, to end in folly,
so might it have been said; but who can
foretell the supreme moments of our lives,
when unknowingly we stand on the
threshold of action? And who should ex-
pect me to foresee that the man who was
to touch the spring of my life's action sat
before me-mocked of me, dubbed the Per
feet Follower whose dead body was to
tread the paths of danger and the intri-
cate ways of strange adventure?
But | would not weary you with more
of these facts than are absolutely neces-
sary for the understanding of this story,
surprising strange. Mary and Roderick
slept, while the Perfect Fool and I faced
each other, sick to WEAKNESS with refec-
tons upon the probability of being late
or arriving before time. At last he spoke,
and, speaking, seemed to be the Perfect
Fool no longer.
They're both asleep, aren't they?" he
asked suddenly. Would you mind max
ing sure, for l have a favor to ask
He was looking at me with a htful
pleading look unlike anything he had
shown previously. | assured him at once
that he might speak his mind; that, even
if Roderick should overhear us, would
pledge my word for his good faith.
81 wanted to speak to you some days
ago." he said earnestly and quickly, as
his hands continued to play with paper.
in that
l, who am quite stranger to you, should
have been in your company for some
weeks, and should not have told you more
than nv name, Martin Hall. AS the thing
stands, you have been kind enough to
make no inquiries; if l am an impostor'
YOU do not care to know it; If am
rascal hunted by the law, you nave no&
been willing to help the law; you DO not
know if I have money or no money a
home or no home, people or no people,
vet YOU have made me-shall say a
frend?"
He asked the question with such gen.
tle inhexion Of the voice that l felt a
softer chord WIS touched, and in response
7 shook hands with him. After that ne
continued to speak.
81 am very grateful for all your trust
believe me, for l am man that mas
known few friends in life. You nave
GIVEN me YOUR friendship unasked, and
+ is the more priced. What l wanted to
saw is this, if l should die before three
DAVIS have passed, will you open thls
racket of papers l have prepared ana
sealed for you, and carry out what Is VIII
fen there as we'll as you are able! AS LOT
the dangers, they are big enough, out you
are the man to overcome them as L nope
RI overcome them-if | live y
The sun fell over the lifeless scene with
ont AS Martin Hall ceased to speak.
had thought the man fool and Wltless'
Tightly in purpose and shallow in thought
and vet he seemed to speak OF great mys-
teries-and of death. In one moment tne
;astar's cloak fell from him, and l saw
the mail beneath.
.vrelI mo are YOU quite certain that you
not talking nonsense? ?" / asked. IF
Won are not playing the fool, Hail, you
,nust he more explicit. In the first place,
how did Won get this absurd notion that
Won are going to die into your headF sec
ondlv. what is the nature of the obligation
Won wish TO put upon me? Why should
y.o,, who are going to Paris, as Tar as
know simply as Il COLuLlOlI SA5ASSNNA' ~
onv reason to fear some mysterious ca
lamity in a city where you don't know d
soul%" -.
..Why am l going to Paris without ann
do YOU say? Without aim, VINO nave
waited years for the work DelleVe lhaI
shall accomplish tonight Will tell YOU
I am going to Paris to meet one "no' oe-
fore another year has gone, will De want
ed by every government in Europe; VINO wnot
If do not put my hand upon his throat
~ +ba midst of his foul work, will make
ora or YES as thick as pines in the wood there
Before you know another month; one VINO 10
is mad and who is sane; one ,.S Tn 10. IL as nf
knew my purpose, would crush me si
crush this paper; one who has everything
that life can give and seeks more, man
.I., has set his face against humanity
and who will make war on the NATIONS IONS
who has money and men, VINO eau eu
mand and be obeyed in ten ciaes' asains1
n r,.l,n tbe police might as well hope 90
sabt as against the white wall OF the