The Red Cloud chief., 1907-09-06
lCoNTINUED.l

g. 'NA
became one Of pale anxiety.
ID, II have not been permitted to see
him." she answered. He was here Il
few minutes ago"
at Is wiser so. mademoisclle," the
vicomte said. II wonder" he added,
"whether mademoisclle will pardon the
lmpertinence of a purely personal ques-
tom
81 will try" she answered demurely.
"This Englishman, Sir George Dun
combe-are you perhaps-hOw you say,
betrothed to him!"
A certain bluntness In the question
and the real or affected anxiety Of the
young mans tone brought the color
streaming into her cheeks.
monsieur" she exclaimed, "you real
ly must not
"Ah. but. madcmoiselle." he inter
rupted, 80 much depends upon your
answer"
Absurd" she murmured. 81 really
do not see why | should answer such
n question at all"
"You will be merciful," he begged,
lowering his tone.
II WILL" she answered. 81 hope you
will appreciate my confidence. am
not engaged to Sir George Duncombe."
His sigh of relief was marvellous.
She found it harder than ever to keep
the laughter from her eyes.
"Mademoiselle," he declared, sit
makes me happy to have you say
this
Really. vicomte!" she protested.
THE situation. too" he said, 'be-
comes less complex. We can very cas-
iIy deal with him now. He shall annoy
you no more
Put he doesn't annoy me- she an
swercd calmly. "On the contrary, |
should like to see him very much If |
were permitted"
"Mademoiselle will understand well
the indiscretion,' he said earnestly.
She sighed Il little YEARLY.
II am afraid" she said, that | find
1T q little hard to understand anything
clearly, but you see that l trust you
/ will not see him."
"Mademoiselle Is very WISE" he an
swered. Indeed, it is better not.
There remains now a question which |
have come to ask"
"Well?"
"MadcmoiSelle did not by chance
while waiting for her brother think of
examining his ~luggage?'
She nodded.
Il did look through it," she admitted.
There was a paper there, which is
-s..s-- $500. ,lo,t 80 nIn ,ty,tl
writing on tin German. 1t is not
possible that mademoiselle took pos.
session of it, he demanded eagerly.
She nodded.
That is just what | did do" she
said. Il could read a few words, and
Il could not understand how it came to
be in his bag. 1t seemed to be part OF
an official agreement between two
countries"
You have it now?" he cried eagerly
"You have it in your possessionT"
She shook her head.
81 gave it to some one to take care
Of" she said, when | was over in
England. | got frightened when we
We're nearly caught at Runton, and
did not want it to be found upon me-
ITO whom?' he cried.
"To Sir George Duncombe"
The vicomte was silent for a moment
you believe" he asked. that Sil
George Duncombe would guard. 1t care
fully
IL am sure he would" she answered
"Mademoiselle," he said, this Is very
important. Your brothers luggage ha,
been searched. and we came to the con
clusion that the paper had been taker
by those who had followed him her,
ana may possibly ne aware that III
II will be very much to the advantag,
of your country ana mine | scarcely
dare say more. Will you give me {
letter to Sir George i%nstructing him t
deliver it up to meT'
She leaned a little forward and look
ed steadily into his eyes.
M. lie Nicomte," she said, Il do no
know you very we'll, and it is yer!
hard indeed for me 10 tell who are N,
friends here. Can | trust your
"Mademoiselle," he answered, II will
not say like your brother for it Is
relationship | have no wish TO bear
Let me say like the person to whom
your welfare is dearer even than hi
own"
Phyllis felt her lips curve into
smile. Despite his youth and manner