The Red Cloud chief., 1907-06-14

dressed-for an English girl; quite
chic! She spent money, and NJ. Alfred,
the director. kept always n table for
her. As time went on we began to feel
the mystery. We asked ourselves for
what purpose does she come here2
For what. indeed!
zone night NJ. Alfred. who was al
ways besieged with questions about
her, took too much wine. l have seen
that happen with him but once-slnce
that time never. He told us about
mademoiselle. she made some in
auiries. and NJ. Alfred was able to tell
her his whereabouts. After that lie
scarcely expected to see her again, but
the next night she was here also.
"Then VI. Alfred learned more. Ma
demoisclle was in a small way an art
list, and she had conceived the idea Of
painting a picture Of the cafe-an early
morning picture Of effects, monsieur
understands. There was to be the
morning sunlight streaming across the
supper tables, the faces of all of us
aged and haggard. NJ. Louis here
without doubt a very child of the dew
IL. oh. a very moral picture, monsieur!
1t was to convert us all. NJ. Alfred
declared that he would arrange to have
1t here on exhibition, and we should
all mend our ways Monsieur knew
perhaps that the young lady was an
artist?"
The question was flashed suddenly
upon him as though the intention was
to take him by surprise. Duncombe,
however, remained unmoved.
81 am here, madame, to ask, not to
answer questions" he sac. evil
you kindly proceed? am greatly In
| terested."
Madame put her hand to her throat
for n moment as though to loosen her
necklace. She had not the appearance
Of being greatly in love with her ques-
toner.
'"rhcre came n night" she continued,
"whcn mademoiselle broke through her
rule. \ man came in and sat ut her
table. His name was the Nicomte
most of us. though to the young lady
he appeared to be n stranger. They
talked earnestly for an hour or more.
| When she left, he accompanied her.
The Engllshman had grown paler.
| Madame saw it and smiled. Her lover
! perhaps! 1t was good to make him
suffer.
"Flossie here" she continued, twas
| outside and saw them depart. They
| drove off together in the vicomte's
coupe. They were apparently on the
best Of terms. Since then we have not
seen her again or the vicomte. Mon
| sleur knows now as much as we
know"
"And how long ago is that?' Dun
combe asked quietly.
"A week tonight" madame replied.
Duncombe laid down a roll OF notes
upon the table.
IL WISH" he said, "to prove to you
that | am i'm earnest. l am therefore
going to pay you the amount | prom.
ised, although l am perfectly well
aware that the story Of madame is
false!"
"Monsieur"
AS / remarked he repeated. "false
Now listen to me. l want to tempt
one of you, l don't care which, to break
through this thieves compact of yours
l have paid a thousand francs for lies
I will pay 10000 francs for truth
Ten thousand francs for the present
whereabouts Of Mile. Phyllis Poynton!'
Mile. Flossie looked up at him quick
ly; her she glanced furtively at ma
dame, and the fash of madame's eye.
was like lightning upon blue steel
Duncombe moved toward the door.
II will pay the bill downstairs" h
said. Good night. Think over wha
I have said. Ten thousand francs!'
NJ. Louis stood up and bowed stitay
Mile. Flossie ventured to throw him
kiss. Madame smiled inscrutably.
The door closed. They heard bin
go downstairs. Madame picked up hi
card and read aloud:
"Sir George Duncombe, Risley Hal
Norfolk. Grand Hotel, Paris"
IF one could only" madame muI
INJURED, tell him the truth, collect tn
money-and'-
"And," Flossie murmured, half fear
fully.
NJ. lie Baron smiled.