The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-07-03
F11LLION A1lf11iPIE
kHudsoND 0u4lae'
CAAPTER xxII.-Continued

reminded of the flight Of time,
hnd, curbing the retort which had
been trembling on his tongue, rose
Ibbediently, caught up a pitcher of
water with which he strove to
blake the thirst consuming him.
Arendsen rang savagely for cot
Fee. and, having seen to it that
Seager emptied the safetiere while
they both made a hasty toilet,
picked up his own hat, led the
way downstairs with a quick ges-
ture. Seager followed him docile-
by, having realized in the interval
Ithe perilous gravity of their joint
situation, the still more perilous
position in which he therefore
|stood.
where are we going now?' he
demanded morosely as they turn
led toward the north bank of the
Seine. "You needn't be SO in.
formally mysterious, Dirck. We
just rs much at stake in this btisi-
ness as you. And more, II 1t comes
to that"
"And MORE" echoed Arendsen,
with the same ominous quietude.
TT will go great deal worse with
you than with me. If we fail.
& We're going to talk to the
Duke now. / got his address and
the story of his so called marriage
from that man Chevrel while you
were bemuddling yourself with
those others at the Blue Rabbit"
Seager scowled at him but made
no verbal retort, and they pursued
their way to the Rue st. Honore in
sullen silence, each occupied with
his own scheme to outwit the
other.
Their errand thither proved to
be vain, for, when Jules Chevrel
came to the door in pyjamas he
could only tell them that Monsieur
had left his rooms on the previous
evening, gone elsewhere, with only
a suitcase for baggage.
"He will be back, without
doubt" the good Jules assured
them, but when. who can tell?
He Is very cratic gentleman, my
late employer, but 1t would seem
that he has not yet tired of our
mutual friend, Miss Lorraine. with
whom I hope you had satisfac-
tory interview yesterday evening"
His leeringly significant smile
enraged Seager beyond all reason
and he sprang forward, aiming a
fierce blow at him. But the willy
Jules, already experienced in the
wild beast ways of Americans, was
not thus to be caught mapping, and
Seager's knuckles encountered
only hurtful surface of polished
oak. Monsieur lie Dues door was
closed against them, and Jules
could not. be induced to reopen it.
ArendsSh had no time now to
waste in argument or recrimina-
ton. He merely made a mental
note of this fresh notch In his long
score against the unfortunate Sea-
ger, and they set out to seek Mon
sieur high and low elsewhere, not
to be baffled till midnight should
strike and Miles Quaintance's mil
lions be finally beyond their
grasp.
1t was already evening before
they returned to the Rue st. Ho-
more, and, once more plodding
YEARLY upstairs, found the oaken
outer door Of Monsieur's apart
ment wide.
We'll walk right in" said
Arendsen determinedly. and did so.
-fClose both these doors. and bolt
Them"
who's there" asked curt
voice which came from curtain
ed doorway at the other end OF the
corridor. as that you, Tissot-
Latour? told you not to come
back"
Arendsen strobe forward with
out hesitation. and, pushing into
the room, found M. lie Due on his
feet, very angry at getting no an
Bwer to his inquiry.
"Who the devil are your" de-
manded Monsieur. regarding this
unexpected intruder with pardona-
Bile asperity.
Arendsen held up a huge hand.
and. "One moment sal dhe, look
ing over his shoulder for Seager,
whom he must perforce trust to
explain matters since his own
French was too Indifferent
Tell him that we're here on be-
half of your cousin. Miss Lor-
raine," he instructed that individ-
ual, hard at his heels, and Seager
bowed to the Due with ironic cere-
mony. His lost self confidence
was rapidly returning, and he was
well pleased with the prospect of
batting the man who had come be-
tween him and the vast wealth
which should have been his. rs
1--WE are here on behalf of Miss
Lorraine, my cousin" said he chin
thrust forward and scowling at
Monsieur.
you mean Madame la Duchesse
des Reves!" cried the Due
eagerly, and accepting their
presence without further comment.
"You mean Madame la Duchesse!
Where is she? What has happened
to her? Speak quickly! For the
love Of heaven. speak"
Arendsen held up his hand again
"Tell him to go slow. Seager.
I want to understand all he says.
We're going to thrash this matter
out to an end here. Tell him to
60! 60 s slow and X pay attention to
why don't you tell him yourself
since you're so important?"
snapped Seager. his own self inn