Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-23

Il
your satchel--don't move, If you please |
| "a roll of French notes-indeed you
must not move-very cleverly abstract |
| ed from my pocket by my charming |
young companion, Mile Flossie here. |
| Now. have at least half a dozen |
| friends in the cafe below whom / could |
summon here by touching that bell,
and the Identification Of those notes
would be a perfectly simple matter.
| Shall do 1t. or will you earn another
roll by giving me the information !
seek?''
Madame leaned forward and whis-
pered in the mans ear. NJ. Louis nod
Ided
Tell him." Mile Flossie murmured
TREMENDOUSLY. Monsieur will not break
faith with us. He will not let it be
known from whence he gained the
knowledge"
Agreed the young Englishman de-
clared go on
Madame held up her hand.
~" she said. will tell monsieur
what we know"
She rose to her feet and leaned over
the table. The blue black sequins on
her dress glittered and shone in the
dull light. Her figure was superb. her
neck and bosom tiawless white. The
Englishman, however, was unmoved.
His keen. gray eyes We're fixed upon
her, but the revolver remained in his
right hand. From downstairs they
could hear the music of violns, the
rattle of glasses. the hum of voices and
laughter Madame frowned slightly
as she marked the young Englishman's
alertness. She was used 70 Victims.
and his imperturbability annoyed her.
81 trust" she said, that you will re-
member. monsieur, that l am breaking
| q pledged word. II monsieur the di-
rector here knew that was telling you
| of Nile. Poynton there would be much
trouble for all of us"
Duncombe nodded.
Go on" he said.
"Mademoselle came here first about
month or perhaps six weeks ago."
she said From that time on she was
regular visitor She came alone. She
spoke to no one. She was always "A
mystery. She was very handsomely
dressed-for an English girl; quite
chic. She spent money, and NJ. Alfred.
the director, kept always a table for
her AS time went on we began to feel
the mystery. We asked ourselves for
what purpose does she come here?
For what indeed!
Zone night NJ Alfred, who was al
ways besieged with questions about
her. took too much wine. have seen
that happen with him but once-since
that time never. He told US about
mademoiselle. She made some in
quirieS, and NJ. Alfred was able to tell
, her his whereabouts. After that he
scarcely expected to see her again. but
the next night she was here also.
Then NJ. Alfred learned more. Ma
demoiselle was in n small way an art
!, ist, and she had conceived the idea of
painting picture of the cafe-an early
: morning picture of effects, monsieur
: understands. There was to be the
morning sunlight streaming across the
= supper tables, the faces of all of us
&? aged and haggard. NJ. Louis here
V without doubt a very child of the dev
D il, oh. very moral picture, monsieur
:, | L. was ~ NVh NCil 0S W. AiliSt
o declared that he would arrange to have
It it here on exhibition. and we should
Z, all mend our ways. Monsieur knew
1t perhaps that the young lady was al
artist?'
i The question was flashed suddenl,
e. upon him as though the intention wa
to take him by surprise. Duncombe
n however, remained unmoved
N 81 am here, madame, to ask. not +
v answer, questions" he said. Evil
N you kindly proceed? I am greatly In
IL terested."
s Madame put her hand to her throa
n for a moment as though to loosen he
X necklace. She had not the appearance
Of being greatly in love with her ques
TONER
Il There came night" she continued
re when mademoiselle broke through he
We rule. A man came In and sat at he
A. table. His name was the Nicomt
u D'Aubarde. and he was known t
Y fmost of us, though to the young lad
>, he appeared to be stranger. The
~ talked earnestly for an hour or NOR,
=. When she left, he accompanied her.
49, The Englishman had grown pale
Madame saw it and smiled. Her love
perhaps! 1t was good to make hil
-. suffer.
"Flossie here" she continued, eva
outside and saw them depart. The
so drove off together in the vicomte
In coupe They were apparently on IL
all best of terms. Since then we have II;
ps seen her again or the vicointe. MOI
| sieur knows now as much as "
5 know"
on "And how long ago is that" Dul
wv combe asked quietly.
en- "a week tonight" madame replied
Ir- Duncombe laid down a roll of not
gs upon the table.
re II WISH" he said, ito prove to yc
I'll. that am in earnest. / am therefo
an going to pay you the amount proI
ad iSed although / am perfectly we