The Virginia enterprise., 1908-10-30

opportunity OF demonstrating Lle
worth of those faculties which have
gained for you the sobriquet of The
Lynx. There is an Englishman named
Horace We're, living at No. % Boule-
ward Haussmann. Find out all you can
concerning his habits and personal at
tendants and report to me as soon as
possible"
The Lynx" a tall, thin Individual
with small, restless black eyes, saluted
and went forth upon his mission with
out replying. He was man of few
words, with an infinite capacity for
obtaining information from unpromis-
ing sources. a quality which enabled
him to rank as one of NJ. Claudes
most trusted aids. Therefore the chief
was not surprised when early the fol-
lowing morning his willy subordinate
offered an exhaustive report on the
daily life and pursuits Of the object of
Nine. Rigault's hatred.
This so-called Alfred Beausine, con-
f1dentfal valet to NJ. We're, whose name
appears marked with a red cross in
your notes-is he then one of our
missing birds, M. Serge?" inquired the
chief.
"Beausine is his alias, NJ Claude, :"
replied the Lynx. "He is none other
than Levard, wanted in connection
with the robbery of Pierre Simons, the
jeweler, last year. did not arrest
him as l preferred to wait for further
orders"
"Have him brought here at once," or
dered the chief rs there substantial
evidence against him in the Simons
case?"
Enough to warrant a speedy con-
viction and galley sentence, NJ
Claude returned the Lynx. Il will
produce him in little while"
NJ. Serge was as good as his word,
for within the space of an hour he re-
appeared with the prisoner, a shifty.
eyed, understood man, who blinked
nervously as he stood before the pre-
feet.
You are Lavard, at present mas
Querading under the name of Beausine,
one of four confederates concerned in
an attack upon NJ. Simons, the jewel
err" queried the chief
The man murmured a faint reply in
the Affirmative and NJ. Claude con-
tinued:
"The evidence against you is CON-
plete and of sufficient Importance to
provide heavy punishment. It now
rests with yourself whether you will
be given the galleys for Is years or re-
ceive comparatively light sentence
upon my recommendation. Whether I
shall interfere or not depends upon
the manner in which you carry out a
certain task at my bidding"
A faint tinge of color crept into the
prisoners pallid face.
What do you require of me, NJ.
Claude?" he asked timidly.
In the possession of your master,
NJ. Vere." said the chief, there are
several letters written by Mile.
Blanche Leclair to his cousin, now de-
ceased. Obtain those documents and
1 promise that your punishment for
completely in the Simon affair will be
merely nominal"
Two days after the above conversa-
tion had taken place the chief was
sitting alone at his desk when one of
his subordinates announced that an
Englishman named We're desired an
audience with him. NJ. Claude, much
surprised, but curious as to the cause
of the unexpected visit, gave orders
that he be admitted, and the door
opened to disclose the person Of one of
the most formidable looking men that
had ever entered the prefecture.
We're was a giant in stature, with
huge shoulders, long, muscular arms
and chest whose tremendous width
! and depth gave promise of herculean
strength. His broad face, red and
swollen, gave eloquent testimony of
nights spent in reckless dissipation.
and from under heavy brows his little
bloodshot gray eys cleaned malicious.
ly. Without troubling himself to 20
through the formahty of asking per.
mission he deposited his immense
frame on a convenient chair, and
leaning back at ease, surveyed the
chief; with an air of cool defiance.
I y If Nj Claude's indignation rose at
the insolent demeanor Of the English.
man. it did not appear on his tran.