The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-08-13
|u MEREDITH NICHOLS(

TT think we were saying that the
mortality list in certain directions will
have to be stimulated triae before
we can do our young friend Francis
any good. You have business in Amer
lea, carino. That paper we filched
from old Stroebel strengthens our hold
on Francis, but there is still that ques-
ton as to Karl and Frederick Angus
tus. Our dear Francis is not satisfied.
He wishes to be quite sure that his
dear father and brother are dead. We
must reassure him, dearest Jules"
"Don't be fool, Durand. You never
seem to understand that the United
States of America is a trife larger
than a barnyard. And l don't believe
those fellows are over there. They're
probably lying in wait here somewhere
ready to take advantage Of any oppor-
tunity-that is, if they are alive. A
man can hardly fail to be impressed
with the fact that so few lives stand
between him and"-
"The heights-the heightsw And the
young man, whom Chauvenet called
Durand, lifted his tiny glass airily.
Eyes, the heights" replied Chauve-
net little dreamily.
But that declaration-that docu-
ment! You have never honored me
with a glimpse, but you have it put
safely away, dare say" -,..
There is no place-but one-that ]
dare risk. 1t is always within easy
reach, my dear friend"
"You will do well to destroy that doc
ument 1t is much better out of the
way"
wisdom are unfortunate. That paper
constitutes our chief asset, my dear
associate. So long as we have it we
are able to keep dear Francis in order.
Therefore we shall hold fast to it, re-
membering that we risked much in re-
moving it from the lamented Stroebel's
archives"
"Do you say 'risked much| My val
ued neck, that is allv' said the other.
"You and Winkelried are without graf
itude.' ..
"You will do WE'LL" said Chauvenet,
Ito keep an eye open in Vienna for the
unknown. If you hear murmurs in
Hungary one Of these fine days.
Nothing has. happened for some time;
therefore much may happen"
He glanced at his watch.
81 have work in Paris before sailing
for New York. Shall we discuss the
matter of those Peruvian claims? That
Is business. These other affairs are
more in the nature of delightful diver
sions, my dear comrade." F..
They drew nearer the table, and Du-
rand produced box OF papers, over
which he bent with serious attention.
Armitage had heard practically all of
their dialogue and, what was of equal
interest, had been able to study the
faces and learn the tones of voice of
the two conspirators. He was cramp-
cony and wet and chilled by the rain,
which was now slowly abating. He
had learned much that he wished to
know and with an ease that astonished
him, and he was well content to with
draw with gratitude for his good for
tune.
His legs were numb, and he clung
close to the railing of the little ladder
for support as he crept toward the
area. At the second story his foot
slipped on the wet iron, smooth from
long use, and he stumbled down sew
eral steps before he recovered himself.
He listened a moment. heard nothing
but the tinkle of the rain in the spout.
then continued his retreat.
AS he stepped out upon the brick
courtyard he was seized from behind
by pair of strong arms that clasped
him tight. In moment he was thrown
across the threshold of door into
an unlighted room, where his captor
promptly sat upon him and proceeded
to strike light