Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-08-05
OF D'AHWNW@

posterity, IL not by yourself First of
all, VIII you give me your word that
you VIII submit to my proposition,
which involves no question of my es-
cape? If not l will reluctantly be
Obliged to shoot you. and then turn
this weapon on myself ere your men
can gain the stairway"
| M. Claude shrugged his shoulders
again.
You leave me scant choice" he
said, calmly: land 1 am willing to
confess that / am not desirous of be-
Ing dispatched post haste to para
disc with the aid of a ball from your
pistol. l agree
DAldano laid down his pistol and
producing a handsomely chased gold
sndh box, inhaled pinch of the mix
ture therein with extreme zest. He
passed the box to the chief who fol-
lowed his example and bowed in ac-
acknowledgement of the courtesy.
Now" said the marquis gayly, II
intend to entrust you with a secret
which Will prove that instead of seek
ing to avoid. / am indeed counting
| death"
Removing his coat he barred his
forearm. exposing to view a bluish-red
puncture about half an inch in length.
just above the wrist, which stood out
| in bold relief against the white skin.
! That mark" he said tapping the
scar gently with his forefinger, lis
my passport to another world, NJ.
Claude
| The chief stared uncomprehending-
ly. and the marquis dropped back into
his chair with light laugh.
| "A few hours ago" he said when
L realized that all avenues of escape
from Paris were closed to me. / re-
solved TO adopt a measure which
would insure an early death by my
own hand, should the boon of dying
as betts one Of my race be denied. II
would have been simpler as well as
less painful TO have blown out my
brains, but I chung to the hope of
falling by the sword of worthy foe
man, if such q contamination could be
brought about. Do you understand"
| Il begin TO perceive the drift of
your argument" returned the chief.
But may l ask what means you sum
! moned to your assistance in escaping
the hand of the eXecutioner?v
| Certainly asscnted the MARQUIS.
| "A man worthy of crossing swords
with me Is also deserving of my conf
dence and you shall have 1t in full.
| The wound in my arm, insignificant
| though 1t may appear, is none the less
deadly. 1t was caused by the prick
| OF a dagger. the point OF which had
been tipped with poison taken from
! he diseased bone OF a putrid human
! body Its nxtreme virulence would
not be made manifest for several
hours to come. but have the author.
| 'ty OF one ar Frances most eminent
physicians for stating that such n pois-
IN is absolutely sure in it's effects.
| True, one would labor under the tri-
ling Inconvenience of enduring in
| ense agony at the final climax, but
| hat Is a mere matter OF detail with
| which 1 am not concerned Besides
YOUR fame L, swordsman leads me
imagine that I may perchance ex
)ire In an easier and more gentle
manly fashion. I think I am not mis-
AIKEN WHEEL infer that you are one
Il the best wielders of q good steel
oade in this degenerate age?"
Il followed the profession or a mas
er or arms before entering the police
service, was the chiefs reply.
Good! exclaimed the MARQUIS
merrily What more could 7 Ask
man Of honest IL not noble blood
and skilled in the management of his
weapon. warn you however. NJ
Claude. that l myself am no novice in
the art of fencing"
III report speaks truly, there is not
swordsman In the country that
possesses a stronger wrist % keener
eye than the Marquis D'Alaano." re.
turned the chief.
The marquis smiled again. "A truce
to compliments, NJ Claude" he ex-
claimed springing to his feet snd denud-
ing himself OF his waistcoat Time
presses and an occasional twinge I'M
der the armpit, that resembles the
stab OF a red-hot needle. warns me the
| poison IL beginning to work. And I
would fain be at my t7c9t during
this last tilt with Fortune
BE IT so, since you insist" respond
ed the chief, as he metaodicaIly re
moved his upper garments.
! D'Aldsno turned to a closet I'm the
rear OF the apartment and unlocking
the door. produced from therein two
swords OF equal length and exquisite
temper lie rendered tne hits to NJ.
Claude. who took one la Lis hand and
placin,, the point on file Fl Dor bent It
almost double. The 1.-THE steel blade
sprang back into its Original shape
with kissing ound when released. and
the chief smiled approvingly.
An excellent piece of steel" he re-
marked with the air OF connoisseur
as the marquis moved back tho table
and chairs, leaving a clear space In the
center of tAe room.
"Ont thing more. M. Claude" said