Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-21

chair with the cigarette between his
| lips looked at his victim through his
half-closed eyes, as snake watches
the bird he fascinates.
Jean Adam was an excellent Judge
of human nature. He had placed there
bait which could not fail to attract.
| if not today, then tomorrow-or the
next day He had gagged Max Bar
clay with precision only given to
those who live upon their wits.
The every rule there are, of course,
exceptions. Every man who lives
upon his wits is not altogether bad
Curious though it may be, there are
many adventures to be met with in
every capital in Europe, who, though
utterly INSCRIPTIONS, have in their
nature one point of the most scrupu-
lous honor-one point which redeems
them from being classed at utter
blackguards.
Many a man who will stick at moth
Ing where money can be made, is 10y
al, honest and upright towards a
woman; while another will with one
lhand swindle the wealthy and with
the other give charity to the poor.
Few men, indeed, are altogether bad.
! Yet when they are, they are, alas !!
outsiders indeed!
Adam was man who had no COM
Function where men were concerned,
and very little when woman stood
in his way. His own adventures would
have made one of the most interesting
volumes ever written. Full of ingenu-
ity and tact, fearless when it came
to facing exposure. and light hearted
whenever the world smiled upon him,
he was marvellous admixture of
good fellow and scroundrel.
! He knew that his clever story had
fascinated the man before him, and
| that it was only a question of time
before he would fall into the net so
cleverly spread.
when do you anticipate you could
go east-that is, providing can get
the matter postponed?" asked Adam
at last, as he placed his cigarette end
in the ash tray.
II can't give you date" replied
Max. at is quite uncertain. Why not
go to somebody else?"
ri told you I had no desire to do so,
my dear FRIEND" was the French
mans reply. 81 like you That is why
placed the business before you. I
know, of course, there are a thousand
this chance of such a big thing"
"Then why not go to them?" Max
repeated. little surprised and yet
little flattered.
CAS- have told you, would rather
take you into partnership. We have
already decided to do the thing on a
sound business basis. Indeed, I went
to my lawyers only yesterday and
gave orders for the agreement to be
drawn up between u.s. You'll receive
it tonight or tomorrow"
WELL" said Max with some hesita-
ton "if it is to be done, it must be
done later. At present / cannot get
away. My place is in London" ,
Beside the lady to whom you are
so devoted, eh?" the Fren Gilman
laughed.
Max was irritated by the mans
yelled sarcasm.
mo. Because / have duty to per
| form towards a friend, and even the
temptation Of fortune shall not
cause me to neglect it,
"a friend. Whom"
"The matter is my own affair. 1t has
nothing to do with our business" was
Max's rather sharp response
Very well" said the other, quite
unruffled 81 can only regret. will
wire tonight to Muhil Pasha, and en-
deavor to obtain a postponement OF
| the agreement" a
GAS you WISH" Max said, still an
gered at this Importation of the WON,
an he loved into the discussion. 81
! may as well say that it is quite imma-
terial"
| ITO you it may be So But am not
rich like yourself" the other said. Il
have to obtain my income where
can by honest means. and this is a
chance which 1 do not intend to, lose.
l look to you'll hold you to your
| promise, Barclay-to assist me-"
Il do not intend to break my prom
Use merely say that cannot go out
to Turkey at once"
/ "But you will come-you will prom
Use that in few days-in a week =
or when you have finished this mys
] FERROUS duty to your friend, that you
will come with me?" he urged. "Come
give me your hand. do not want tc
/ approach anybody else"
''Well, if you really wish it." Max
replied, and he gave the tempter his
hand in pledge
When, a few seconds later, Jean
Adam turned to light fresh cigarette
there was upon his thin lips smile
"a sinister smile of triumph.
Max Barclay had played dice with
the devil, and lost He had. in his ig
norance of the net spread about hin
in that moment pledged his owr
honor.
CHAPTER XVIII.
! Old Sam Has a Visitor.
1t was past midnight.
/ At eleven o'clock old Sam Stathar
| had descended from the mysterious