The Red Cloud chief., 1907-06-14

been introduced whispered in his ear.
lie shook his head vaguely. She had
her arm round his neck. lie removed
il gently.
Wen have another here first any
how" he declared. Eli, garcon. Ring
the bell. there's a good chap, monsieur
dash it. I've forgotten your name!
No, don't move. I'll do it myself"
lie rose and staggered toward the
door.
The bell isn't that way, monsieur"
madame exclaimed. ut is to the
right. Louis, quick"
NJ. Louis sprang to his feet. There
was a queer grating little sound. fol
lowed by Il sharp click. Duncombe
had swung round and faced them. lie
had turned the key in the door and
was calmly pocketing ii.
NJ. Louis did not move. The hand
which held that small. shining revolver
was certainly not the hand of Il drunk
en- man.
They all three looked at him in won
dcr-madame. NJ. Louis and Mile. Flos-
sic. The dark eyebrows of madame
almost met. and her eyes were full Of
the promise OF evil things. NJ. Louis,
covering back from that steadily
pointed revolver, was white with the
inherited cowardice of the degenerate.
Flossie, who had drunk more wine
than any of them, was trying to look
as though 1t were n joke. Duncombe,
| with his disordered evening clothes, his
! stained shirt front and errant tie, was
master of the situation. He came and
! stood a few feet away from them. His
J laundering French accent and slow
choice Of words had departed. He
| spoke to them without hesitation, and
his French was almost as good as their
own.
II want you to keep your places" he
said. land listen to me for n few min
utes. l can assure you l am neither
mad nor drunk. l have a few ques-
tons to ask you. and if your answers
are satisfactory you may yet find my
acquaintance as profitable as though
had been the pigeon / seemed. Keep
your seat, NJ. lie Baron!"
NJ. Louis, who had half risen, sat
down again hastily. They all watched
him from their places around the Ia
BILE. 1t was madame whom he ad-
dressed more directly-madame, with
the jet black hair and golden earrings,
the pale cheeks and scarlet lips.
81 invited you into a private room
here" he said. because what l have
to say to you three Is between our
selves alone. You came, l presume,
because it promised to be profitable.
All that I want from you Is lnforma-
ton, and for that I am willing to pay"
NJ. Louis interposed. He stroked his
little black mustache with a much be-
ringed hand. With the other he gestic-
ulated.
Monsieur talks reasonably" he de-
clared, "but why all this mystery?
Why this feigned drunkenness? Why
the show of arms? II we can help
monsieur, 1t Is an affair Of pleasure,
and II he chooses to make a present to
these ladies' in return, why, no doubt
they will be charmed. Me, I presume,
he has no intention to insult. Permit
me, monsieur"
ne uTeW a CuTu lIoul u Suiui Soiu
case and presented 1t to Duncombe,
who accepted it, with a little bow.
81 invited you into a private room
here he continued. "If I can aid you
In any way I am entirely at your serv-
ice, but I require first of all that In
addressing us you recognize my posi-
ton as a French nobleman, who anus,
es himself in this place as you, mon.
sieur, also do. and also that you unlock
that door,"
Duncombe smiled quietly.
"MOnsieur lie Baron" he said, IL
think that we are very well as we are
secure from interruption. I have
sent others here ON this same mission
and they did not succeed. Both OF
these ladies, l believe, have been ap
preached for the information l desire
and they have thought well to with
hold 1t. l have set my heart upon
success this time, and l wish to secure
at least the opportunity Of being
heard"
M. Louis shrugged his shoulders.
There are secrets" he murmured
affairs OF honor
Duncombe interrupted him.
IN. Louis" he said. II nm not sc
young as l look, and / have lived II
Paris. l know that this cafe for al
its outward smartness bears perhap!
: the worst reputation In Europe.
have heard of you three many times