The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-09-08

| err he had had much more sleep than
the man I had come from.
/ '"You have been too clever for the
| police, Monsieur "" were his first
| words. "You have hidden your client
WE'LL
| eThe police have done their best"
I said mildly. They have been in the
same room with my client, and even
near enough to hear him breathe
| you are sure of what you say?"
the startled President cried.
"since I opened the door to them
myself" l answered modestly.
The chief of the Republic could not
| conceal his chagrin, as he muttered
"And they swore to me that you
| had never been out of their sight
| night or day!"
Il am grieved to be the bearer of
| another message" I said presently.
And I repeated the mysterious phrase
with which I was charged.
The President changed color as ne
| listened. This time there was no ebul-
lition of anger, no talk of the police.
Instead I saw before me man breath
ing hard under the influence of a
tremendous blow.
You have not mistaken a word by
any chance?' he asked, almost im-
ploringly. BE good enough to repeat
it exactly
l shook my head as I complied with
the request: 1.-The cord of the Plum
met is worn through
monsieur W. he cried earnestly,
ct must see this man. You must take
me to him.
I could not conceal my surprise at
this request. That the head of the
French Republic should ascend to a
garnet in the Place de Ia Sorbonne to
interview nameless Asiatic was
more than extraordinary, it was
bizarre.
1T is impossible" 7 was begin
ming to answer, when he interrupted
me.
Go and ask him. Obtain his per-
mission to bring me to his hiding
place. You may blindfold me if you
like Or will give you my word of
honor"
Such a request admitted of only one
reply. T promised to do my best to
bring about the desired interview |
though without holding out hope Of
success.
Late as 1t was, I took my way
straight back to the Latin Quarter.
There was that in the Presidents man
ner which convinced me that no ordi-
nary issue was at stake.
The Persian received me without
the least emotion, and
listened In silence to the request of
which T was bearer. He smoked out
IL Fn-
fore vouchsafing any reply.
st do not refuse to see this man"
he said meditatively. But his COM
ing will make no difference one way
or the other"
sAm to tell him that s'
The unknown looked up as though
recalled from self-forgetfulness
mo. Tell him this: The Keystone
Of the Arch has fallen"
It was the third message, and in
spite of its figuratfve character I could
detect the steadily-increasing gravity
If the language used.
Tell me- cried suddenly. what
s the secret OF your strange power?
Why is it that 7 find myself acting
or you almost against my will?'
The half-shut eyes cleaned for an
Instant.
MY power is the power of him who u
las lost his own Will"
The enignatic answer confirmed cer- n
ain conclusions drawn by me from the
language of the messages had to de-
iver.
On the following night waited once 4
nore on the French President, and the
ivid emotion with which he heard the q
NAL message confirmed my fears as to III
IS character. IN
Nevertheless he accepted the offer HI
t an interview with the unknown.
We left the Elysee by one of the EE
arden doors, and entered the first Hi
assing cab. I contented myself with III
ngaging his excellency to take no adj HI
of the knowledge he was q
bout to obtain.
On the threshold of the locked room u
G stopped. III
st must see year client alone" he
bserved gravely.
ttYou will permit me to take his in @
M. lie President 7 replied.
ourteously but firmly.
The President shrugged his Shout
ers, a little unwillingly I thought.
I turned the key in the lock, and HI
TODD back for his excellency to pre-
EIDE me into the room. 81
AS / walked in after him T heard ID
n amazing cry, and the President
urned to meet me with a face of hor- =. =
Or and despair.
My eyes sought the bed on which I
ad left my unknown client reposing. il
Re lay back in a rigid attitude VITA
dagger thrust deep into his breast. 6
Look" whispered the President, b
ointing to the handle of the dagger,
ound which the fingers of the dead q
nan were still firmly clasped. you 8
ee he has killed himself" +
There came back to me the last words v
had heard from those dead lips. MY q
over is the power of him who has q
,st his own WILL quoted softly TO !,
lyself. t,
Truly the messages brought by such 8
messenger were not to be lightly ig-
ored.
We locked the door and came away :
'ithout exchanging another word. ,.
aw NJ. Casimir-Perier walk away :,
own the Place de la Sorbonne with :
owed head and the stem of an old man g