Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-09-16

II n
L@ mitage paused with his
back to the Claiborne gate. Chauvenet
was dressed with his usual care and
wore the latest carnation in the lapel |
of his top coat. He struck the ground
with his stick, his look of establishment
passed, and lie smiled pleasantly as he
returned Armitage's salutation.
MY dear Armitage" he murmured.
II didn't go to Mexico, after ALL my
good Chauvenet. The place is full Of
fevers. couldn't take the risk
HE is indeed wise man who safe
guards his health" replied the other.
You are quite right. And when one
has had many narrow escapes one
may be excused for exercising rather
particular care Do you not find it
so?" Knocked Armitage.
.My dear fellow, my life is one long
fight against ennui. Danger, excite
ment, the hazard of my precious life
such pleasures of late have been de-
MED me-"
"Bnt you are young and of intrepid
spirit, monsieur. 1t would be quite
surprising II some perilous adventure
did not overtake You before, the silver
gets in your. hair
"Ah! l assure you the speculation
interests me, but must trouble you to
let me pass" continued Chauvenet in
the same tone. 81 shall quite forget
that set out to makea call IL linger
longer In your charming society,"
But must ask you to delay your
call for the present. shall greatly
value your company down the road a
little way. 1t is trifling favor, and
You are man of delightful courtesy"
Chauvenet twisted his mustache re-
fectively. His mind had been busy
seeking means of turning the meeting
to his own advantage He had met
Armitage Mt quite the least imaginable
spot in the world for an encounter be-
tween them, and he was not man
who enjoyed surprises. He had taken
care that the exposure of Armitage at
Washington should be telegraphed to
every part Of the country and put upon
the cables. He had expected Armi-
tage to leave Washington, but he had
no idea that he would turn up at a
fashionable resort greatly affected by
Washingtonians and only CON- ra-
lively short distance from the Gu nj.
He was ut a great disadvantage in not
knowing Arruitage's plans and strate-
gy. His own mind was curiously cum
ming, and his reasoning powers travers-
ed oblique lines. He was thus prone
to impute similar mental processes to
other people. Simplicity and drcctness
he did not understand at all. He had
moderated Armitage's courage and
daring; he wished to make no further
mistakes, and he walked back toward
the hotel with apparent good grace.
Armitage spoke now in n very different
key, and the change displeased Chau-
venet, for he much affected ironical
raillery, and his companion's sterner
tones disconnected him.
II take this opportunity to give you
a solemn warning. NJ. Jules Chauvenet,
alias Rambaud. and thereby render
you. greater service than you know
You have undertaken deep and dam
gerous game. 1t Is spectacular, 1t is
picturesque, 1t is .immense! 1t is so
stupendous that the taking of few
lives seems trifing in comparison with
the end to be obtained. New look about
you for moment, NJ. Jules Chauvenet.
In this mountain air man may grow
very sane and see. matters very clearly.
London, Paris, Berlin, vienna-they
are long way off, and the things they
stand for lose their splendor when a
man sits among these American noun
tains and reflects upon the pettiness
and sordidness of mans common ambi-
lions" -.
"Is this exordium or peroration, my
dear fellow"
ut is BOTH" replied Armitage sue
cinctly, and Chauvenet was sorry he
had spoken, for Armitage stopped short
In lonely stretch of the highway and
continued In disagreeable. incisive
tone:
II ran away from Washington after
you told that story ut Claiborne's sup
per table. not because was afraid of
to watch your plans little in security.
The only man who could have helped
me Immediately was Senator Sander
son, and I knew that he was In Mon
tana."
Chauvenet smiled with return of
assurance.
"Of course. The hour was chosen
well.''
"More wisely. in fact. than your
choice of that big assassin of yours
He's clumsy fellow. with more Drawn
than brains. had no trouble in shak-
ing him Off in Boston, where you prob
ably advised him 1 Should be taking
the Montreal express"
Chauvenet blinked. This was pre-
cisely what he had told Zmai to en-
pect. He shifted from one foot to an
other and wondered just how he was
to escape from Armitage. He had gone
to Storm Springs to be near Shirley
Claiborne. and lie deeply resented hav-
ing business thrust upon him.
HE is wise man who wields the
knife himself, NJ. Chauvenet. In the
taking of poor Count Won Stroebels life
so deftly and secretly you prove my
philosophy. 1t was clever job. mon
sieur!'
Chauvenets glovcd fingers caught at
HIS mustache.
THAT is almost insulting. NJ. Armi-
tage. A distinguished statesman is
killed, therefore l must have murdered
him. You forget that there's differ
ence between us. You are an unknown
ndventurer carried OH the books of the
police as Il fugitive from justice. and
/ can walk to the hotel and get twenty
reputable men to vouch for me. | adj
wise you to be careful not to mention
my name In connection with Count Won
Stroebel's DEATH"
He had begun jauntily, but closed in
heat, and when he finished Armitagc
nodded to signify that he understood
perfectly.
"a few more deaths. and YOU would
be in position to command tribute
from high quarter monsieur"
"YOur mind seems to turn upon as.