The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-07-03

suit me-, said Monsieur in q low,
steely voice, you had better
"Trlnquilize yourself" Seager
requested. We're here to talk
business, not to make fine speech
es. And, If you feel that you ever
want 70 see her again, you'd better
reply to my question"
The Dues face flushed darkly,
but with great effort of will he
controlled himself and answered,
since he could not but comply.
Yes, am quite sure"
There seems to be no doubt
about it," Seager told Arendsen,
and the latter gnawed his NOUS
tache for moment in silence.
Then the marriage must be an
nulled," 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. Tell him plainly, Seager,
that 1t will pay him best to agree,
and that we're not to be trifled
with"
He sat listening attentively,
head forward, frowning, while Sea-
ger made matters clear to the star
ing Due, having promised his story
with the curt warning that they
three were quite alone, entirely cut
off from communication with the
outer world, fact further attest
ed by the urgent ringing of the
door bell, which no one answered.
The room was an interior one
and windowless, lighted from over
head by day. It's cupola was close
ly curtained now and shaded lamps
shone from the cornices. The two
adventures had safely trapped
their victim. And Monsieur knew
that he was helpless in their hands.
He could easily understand, too,
that they were desperate men. Sea-
ger had told him their side of the
story in cunning details. They had
staked their all and were determ-
ined to win.
When Seager had finished speak
ing he would have risen but that
they simultaneously ordered him
to sit still. And since 1t would
have been futile to seasure forces
with them physically, he could but
obey.
We're waiting your answer to
our proposition" Seager reminded
him sternly.
1T needs no answer" returned
the Due, "but, since you think that
It does, I refuse"
Tell him that he does so at the
risk Of his wife's life, as we'll as
his own" Arendsen suggested
crafty, and the Dues thin face
showed the feelings with which he
received that statement. But he
was no whit less firm. Whatever
his failings he was no coward, and
they could by no means brighten
him into compliance with their
most monstrous proposal.
II refuse" he repeated, with stub.
born fixity of resolution. my own
life is as nothing to me-and you
two will pay very dearly for any
harm which may happen Madame
la Duchesse des Reeves" t
"He won't budge,' Seager told
Arendsen vexedly, and Arendsen
fell to Juggling at. his black beard.
He could almost foresee the failure
of the foul plot which had prom
ised such rich reward. And, while
they sat there cycling each other
furtively a clock in the corridor
without chimed nine.
Arendsen started up with an oath
which he could not repress. At
midnight Miles Quaintance's nit
lions would fall prey to charity.
And. since it seemed that the Due
could not be coerced, since it was
already too late to evolve any
further feasible scheme. there was
nothing left for it but to play his
last card, with which he must, at
all costs, recoup himself for the
loss he had so far suffered.
He knew to a fraction what all
his dealings with Seager had cost
him, and made up his mind in