Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-07-18

NO.; not In the same circular. 1t was
In separate circulars"
Everyone turned around at this remark.
which had come so unexpectedly from
Count ValesQuex.
Nc. rejofned Barnes. delighted at this
interruption. II recall it quite we'll, It
was In the same Circular"
An said the count. with a flourish OF
the hand. THE gentleman means well. but
ne is mistaken"
What do you know about it. count?'
X the chief. with brutal abruptness;
were you there?"
For Il moment 1t looked as II the count.
generally so self contained. was about to
be overwhelmed with confusion. But he
quickly recovered himself.
"l-I-read about It in the French pa
pers at the time" he said. with that
famous smile which always displayed
those remarkable teeth.
Barnes and Clancy made some excuse
for leaving the room for a moment. AS
they moved Harvey in%nocently noticed
the missing circular sticking out of the
counts pocket. He reached over and
drew 1t toward him.
Count he exclaimed. heres the cir
GUAR we thought was lost"
The nobleman betrayed extreme agita-
ton.
or course you're a friend of mine: are
you not?"
was NbC tpaA6iCa
Well. then. destroy that circular
Why"
Because 1t will only implicate some
poor fellow"
AS II fearing he had overdone his part.
he changed his tone.
My dear Harvey" he exclaimed. with
great afrability, there is the circular: of
course. as you said, you are going to de-
stroy IT.
yes. yes" said the other. irritably. IT
promised you. and my word is good; but
L want to take another look at It,"
While Harvey was trying to read the
circular. printed in a language he scarcely
understood. the count drummed nervous
~ with his finger tips on the sill of the
cabin window. Once or twice he hummed
snatches from his favorite operas, but
there was a quaver in his voice which rem
dered 1t ludicrous and %untuneful. This
continued for some minutes, when both
men were startled by the appearance of
a newcomer. Harvey made as II to con-
ceal the circular. but it was too late, SO
he held 1t down defiantly while he gazed
up at Clancy-for 1t was the customs OPP
erative-in an ~insoient manner.
"Wel?" asked Harvey.
On, nothing" replied Clancy. II was
simply walking around the boat for want
OF something better to do"
oh. you were. were you?' was the
sneering comment.
YES responded the other, determined
to Keep his temper, and aching to get his
hands on the circular.
Count Velasquez and l." said Harvey,
with an attempt at dignity. were having
a private discussion"
"a. exclaimed Clancy. 1T beg YOUR
pardon. l won't intrude. I'll leave you"
He turned on his heel to go away. but
almost IN the same instant resolved that
ne would not be dismissed in that way.
II he could not get possession of the circu-
lar he would at least give these two men
a bad quarter of an hour. Harvey had
raised his hand-the hand containing the
circular. Clancy turned on him like a
flash.
.Hello!" he exclaimed. there's the cir
uia Barnes lost in the cabin. see
you've found 1t. How lucky. II you'll
it to me I'll see that he gets it."
He extended his arm In the direction of
the circular. Harvey drew pack and held
the precious bit Of paper toward the foor.
You're impertinent,' he said hoarsely.
Why don't you mind your own busi-
ness?'
my dear SIR" said Clancy, determined
not to lose any advantage, II don't see
any occasion for anger. You have in your
possession a bit Of property belonging to
my friend Rarnes. presumed that you
mad FOUND 1t. l didn't suppose 1t had come
~ III oIy tu0 way. III
any event I ask you to let me return 1t to
Barnes. You refuse p"
Why! Why. he spluttered. "Simply
necause-because I intend to hand It to
him myself"
Then" shouted Clancy. with triumph
IN MS voice. you'll have the opportunity
at once. for Barnes is coming here now"
Harvey was ashast. He wondered wild |
" what he could do or say. He looked
Questtoningly toward the count. Velas-
quez was the picture Of DEATH. His face
was as white as sn0w-even to the lips.
HIS eyes had a dull. CLASSY appearance. |
Inc sweat stood out In little beads on his
forehead. He did not return Harvey's
glance. His lips were dumb.
In the meantime Harvey. glued TO his
seat. held the awful circular between the |
ciinched fingers OF his right hand. Clancy
stood over him In a threatening attitude
an avenging angel. while Barnes
came along the corridor toward the cabin
with the rapidity Of fate. Once again Har- !
vey looked toward the count in helpless
pantomine. Why did the man not speak? |
Why did he not utter one word Of in
etruction? The seconds licked by with the
weigh: OF hours. When all seemed over
the count moved his bulky form. Harvey
preathed. The count was coming to his
relief. VelasQuex put his hand in hts
pocket and produced-a cigaret. Harvey
- nave screamed with angry dtsap-
pointment. But the count magnifcently
Ignored all of this. and. STOPPING down
with elaboration. struck a match on the
sole of his shoe and then calmly lit his
cigaret and eaned bach on the cushion
OF his seat with a placid smile on his
face.
What does he mean?" groaned Harvey
to himself. But he looked admiringly at
the man who could be 10 calm in such a
crisis.
Suddenly his attention was distracted
from the count by a burning at his finger
tips. He looked down and found the cir
cular In a blaze. He let 1t fall from his