Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-17

pughly. but Its persistent beat covered any slight noises made by his own movements, and he was now intent upon the little room and its occupants. Re observed the care with which the nan kept close to his coat. and he pom lered the matter as he hung upon the balcony. IfChauvenet was on his way 10 America 1t was possible that he would carry with him the important paper whose loss had caused so much anxiety to the Austrian minister. If so. where was it during his stay In Geneva?
 The old mans death is only the first step. We require a succession of deaths
 I've require three, to be explicit, not more or less. We should be fortunate if the remaining two could be accom- plished as easily as Stroebel's."
 He was beast. He is we'll dead"
 That depends on the way you look at, 1t. They seem really to be mourn ing the old beggar at Vienna. It is the way of people. They like to be ruled by 6 savage hand. The people. as you have heard me say before. are fools."
 The last speaker was young man whom Armitage had never seen before. He was decided blond, with close trimmed straw colored beard and slightly curling hair. Opposite him, and facing the door. sat Chauvenet. On the table between them were de- canters and iqueur glasses.
 1T am going to America at once" said Chauvenet, holding his filled glass toward a brass lamp of an old type tAat hung from the ceiling. =.
 Tt is probably just as we'll" said the other. There's work to do there. We must not forget our more legiti- mate business in the midst of these pleasant side issues"
 The field is easy. After our delight ful continental capitals, where, as you know, one Is never quite sure of one self, it is pleasant to breath tho demo- cratic airs of Washington" remarked Chauvenet.
 Particularly so. my dear friend, when one is blessed with your delight full social gifts. I envy you your ca' pacity for making others happy"
 There was a keen irony in the fel- lows tongue, and the edge of it evil dently touched Chauvenet. who scowl- cd and bent forward, with h:s fingers on the table.
 Enough of that, If you please"
 As you will, carino. but you will pardon me for offering my condolences on the regrctta ble departure of la belle Americaine. If you had not been so intent on matters of state you would undoubtedly have found her here. As 1t is, you are now obliged to see her on her native soil. A month fn Wash ington may do much for you. She is beautiful and reasonably rich. Her brother, the tall captain, is said to be the best horseman in the American army
 'eHumph! He is an ass," ejaculated Chauvenet.
 A servant now appeared bearing a fresh bottle of cordial He was distin- guished by a small head upon tall and powerful body and bore little re- semblance to house servant. While he brushed the cigar ashes from the table the men continued their talk without needing him.
 ard bio friopd hoI cnnlyoy, from the first in French, but in ad- dressing some directions to the servant, the blond, who assumed the role of host employed Servian dialect.
 T think we were saying that the mortality list in certain directions will have to be stimulated a trifle before we can do our young friend Francis any good. You have business in Amer lea, carino. That paper we flched 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 triie larger than a barnyard. And I 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'-
 .sThe heights-the heights" And the young man, whom Chauvenet called Durand, lifted his tiny glass airily.
 .sYes, the heights" replied Chauve- net a little dreamily.
 But that declaration-that docu- ment. You have never honored me with glimpse, but you have it put safely away, dare say"
 There is no place-but one-that l dare risk. It is always within easy reach, my dear friend"
 You will do well to destroy that doc ument. It is much better out of the way"
 Your deficiencies in the matter of 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 all.' said the other.