The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-06-30
AnlILLION
Or HudsoND cuSlAs
CHAPTER XXI.
Mattre Georges is Required TO
Solemnixe Dominic Seager's
Marvta0e

Marriage.
When Seager and Arun lsen Ief
the Blue Rabbit together. ana aft
err the lattor had induced his half
intoxicated companion tJ leave
the duches3e alone foe tho pre,p
lent, had ted him away from the
postern past Caaintanca in the
shadow OF the brasserie door, II
was almost in the morning OF
the last day allowed by Miles
Quaintance's VIII for wrestling his
millions from the outstretchcJ
hands of charity. And It in.
famed Bia:k Dirck's mind still
more to think that that had be.
lgun so Ill.
They reached thei. rooms
Seager threw himself down.
dressed as he was, fell into q
sodden sleep. But Arendsen SAT
up long after Paris was wide
|awake-to the last day which
stood between him AMI the loss
OF that great fortune almo3t with.
In his grasp. only 16 hours of II
left. He sat immobile, hands
clenched, teeth showing, eyes
fixed on vacancy, but his brain
was very busy, and when he rose
stiffly from his straight chair,
the frown on his face had re-
Taxed little. He had formed
fresh plans.
At 8 O'Clock he shook Seager
into sullen consciousness, and
his accomplice, raising himself on
one elbow, glowered over at him
out of bloodshot eyes.
You'll have plenty of time to
Sleep" the other assured him, with
ominous quietude, latter I'm
through with you. And I'll be
through with you soon after ~
tonight. Get ready quickly.
We're going out"
Seager started as he was thus
reminded of the flight of time,
rose obediently.
where are we going now?" he
demanded morosely as they turn
ed toward the north bank of the
Seine.
Were going to talk to the
duke now. / got his address and
the story of his so-called mar
rage from that man Chevral,
while you were bemuddling your
self with those others at the Blue
Rabbit"
Their errand proved to be vain.
for monsieur had left his rooms.
They set out to seek monsieur
high and low elsewhere, not to be
baffled till midnight should strike
and Miles Quaintance's millions
be finally beyond their grasp.
1t was already evening before
they returned to the Rue st. Hon
ore, and, once more plodding
YEARLY upstairs, found the oaken
outer door of monsieur's apart
ment wide.
Wen walk right in," said
Arendsen determinedly. and did
SO; Close both these doors, and
bolt them"
Who's there?" asked a curt
voice which came from a curtain
ed door. "Is that you, Tissot-
Latour?"
Arendsen strobe forward with
out hesitation, and, pushing into
the room, found M. lie Due on his
feet, very angry at getting no an
swer to his inquiry.
Who the devil are your" de-
monsieur, regarding this
intruder with pardon
able asperity.
Arendsen held up a huge hand.
and, Zone moment" said he. look
ing over the shoulder of Seaper.
Tell him that we're here on
behalf of your cousin, Miss Lor-
raine," he instructed that individ-
ual. and Seager bowed to the due
with ironic ceremony.
You mean Nine. la Duchesse
des Reves!" cried the due eagerly.
and accepting their presence with
out further comment. "You mean
Nine. la Duchessel Where is she ?
What has happened to herr"
$50 she is your wife?" Seager
asked sourly. "Are you quite
The dues face flushed darkly,
but with a great effort of will he
himself, and an
swered, Eyes, 1 am quite sure.
There seems to be no doubt
about It," Seager told Arendsen.
and the latter gnawed his mus
.ach for a moment in silence.
Then the marriage must be
he announced, "Tell
him all he needs to know. and
ask him how much he'll take TO
stand in with us. It will pay him
best to agree"
He sat listening attentively. |
read forward, frowning, while
Seager made matters clear toll
he staring due, having promised |
lis story with the curt warning
hat they three were quite alone,
cut off from communi-
.ation with the outer world, a |
act further attested by the urg-
mt ringing OF the door bell,
which no one answered.
Monsieur knew that he was
helpless in their hands. He could
'asily understand, too, that they
we're desperate men. Seager had
old him their side of the story in
unning details. They had staked
heir all and were determined to
vim.
Were waiting your answer to
'ur proposition" Seager rumind-
d him sternly.
1t needs no answer returned /
he due, but, since you think
hat It does-I refuse"
Tell him that he does so at /
he risk of his wife's life, as well i
$ his own" Arendsen suggested
raftily.
II refuse" he repealed, with |,
tubborn fixity of resolution. "My
wn life is as nothing to meand Il
GU two will pay very dearly for X
NY harm which may happen
Ime. IL Duchesse des Reeves"
Arendsen started up with an