River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-10-29
OF MILE. LECLARE

l
logical plan of action would be to seek
refuge under the British flag on board
the frigate now lying in the harbor
Thus unused the chief as he reached
the water front and gazed across the
black eXpanse of water to where the
lights of the English man-of-war
twinkled in the offing. 1t was after
midnight and a profound silence
reigned along the shore, a silence In
terrupted only by the tapping of the
water against the wharves. M. Claude
caught sight of a long, low wooden
pier jutting out from the land. and he
turned his steps toward it. In few
seconds of walking he reached the end
and glancing down saw a small boat
moored by a rope to the piles, tossing
gently to and fro with the tide. Here
then was means of escape for We're,
did he but know of it. The chief
glanced back to the wharf as the
thought occurred to him and uttered
fierce exclamation. There was a
man showing off in a boat from the
spot he had just left. BY the light of
figure plainly as it swung to the oars.
1t was Vere-escaping from him
bearing the documents that would
blast the fame of Blanche Leclaire.
M. Claude stopped and swiftly sew
cred the rope that moored the boat to
the pier. In another instant he was
bending to the oars with savage en-
ergy.
Vere's boat shot straight for the
mouth of the harbor in the direction of
the British frigate's anchorage. M.
Claude, still in the shadow of the pier,
backed water suddenly and brought
his craft to halt as he perceived that
We're in passing would steer directly
before his bows. He waited with
bated breath as the black dot drew
near, wondering if the Englishman
would glance around and notice his
presence. But We're did not see the
danger that lurked in the shadows;
his mind was fixed on the big ship
swinging lazily at anchor in the Of
fling. He had successfully eluded his
pursuers on land, and he laughed ex'
ultantly as he bent his broad back and
sent the sharp Prov cleaving rapidly
through the black water.
And in that moment of fancied tri.
umph his fate came upon him. From
out the darkness there silently glided
a menacing shape that crashed against
the side of his vessel, an active figure
sprang upon him and a million lurid
fires famed before his eyes as crash
ing blow descended full on his tenn
pie. The oars slipped from his nerve
less grasp and his huge bulk collapsed
into an inert mass at the bottom OF the
boat.
Replacing the life preserver in his
pocket the chief hurriedly retrieved
the drifting oars and pulled back to
land. Reaching the wharf he moored
the boat to a convenient ringbolt, and
proceeded to examine into the condl-
ton of his prisoner. He was breath
ing heavily but was still unconscious,
and M. Claude made search of his
garments with a dexterity born OF
long practice. In cloth belt
next to Vere's skin he dis
covered the long sought package
of letters that had caused him so
many anxious hours, and pocketed
them with much heartfelt satisfac-
ton. Then he walked leisurely to the
nearest police station and revealed
his identity to the inspector In
charge.
'I CHANGED to witness the affair in
Nine. Alavarda's establishment last
night" he said, "and later was for
tunate enough to perceive this Mon
sieur We're in the act OF making his
escape by water. There was no time
to summon assistance, and knowing
that once aboard the British frigate
now in the of1ing he would be beyond
your Jurisdiction / took it upon myself
| to capture him. In doing so l was
compelled to use considerable force
and you will find him unconscious in
the boat where / left him, unless he
has recovered his senses, which
hardly think is likely"
81 will send my men for him at
once, M. Claude" returned the highly
gratified INSPECTOR. "The young man
whom he 1rst cheated and then as
saulted is dangerously i'll, and but for
you the ruffian would have surely es-
caped the consequences of his ill do
| ing"
"You are welcome to my poor ser
vices" responded the chief, with an
easy wave of his hand. "And by the
way. I came here on important bust
ness of the state which is now con-
Guided. Let the credit of the capture
lie to your own record and see that
my name is not mentioned in connec-
ton with the affair. 1t is my wish
that my presence in Marseilles should
remain a secret to all but yourself"
Nine. Rigault summoned to the pre-
| lecture found the chief awaiting her
with smiling features.
"The fruits Of victory, my dear
friend and colleague" said NJ. Claude,
as he handed her the hardly won pa
pers.
The little lady's eyes were 1impid
with grateful tears.
"How can / ever thank you?" she
/, faltered.
"By continuing TO look upon me as
your devoted servant" said the CHIEF,