The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-06-23
AflILIION
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CHAPTER XVII (Continu,

They were still wrangling on this
sore subject when they got back
to the brasserie, where they found
Jules Chevral awaiting them, out
wardly most Indifferent, but in his
heart surprised to see them again.
Seagef refused his offer Of further
refreshment, and CURLY informed
him that they had decided to close
with his offer. 1t was quickly ar
ranged that they should present
themselves at M. lie Dues garage
shortly before eleven, and he went
his way well satisfied.
They spent the intervening hours
In making such provision as
seemed good to them 70 rthe well
being Of their prospective prisoner,
and, Seager having slaked with a
bottle of English soda, consum.
ing thirst caused by his journeys
between >thf house and the stores
he had visited, they crossed the
river again about ten, reaching the
Rue ST. !Honore before the time
appointed.
1t turned out to be just as well
that they had, for an unexpected
complication had cropped up.
Jules Chevral's friend, the coach.
man, had telephoned that the car
must call at the hotel des Reeves
for a maid who was to escort her
mistress from the Elysee, and he
did not know how that would af-
feet the bargain he had made with
the Americans.
1t was Arendsen who, In the end,
treasured him on that point, gave
him cheque for three thousand
dollars, and sent him out with Sea-
ger to have the latter properly
dressed for his part. When they
returned he drew his accomplice
aside while Chevral was occupied
with the car.
Bring the maid straight to the
back door," he whispered. "Tell
her you're going to cross by the
Pont Nuef, If she asks questions.
I'll be waiting there. Leave the
rest to me-"
Right said Seager briefly, and
the other hurried away.
Some twenty minutes before
= midnight the scarlet limousine
= turned into the courtyard of the
hotel DIES Reeves, and. having halted
at a pillared portico. stood there
throbbing impatiently until Fan
Ghetto appeared. The door of the
closed carriage body was at the
back, and she climbed in at once.
Seager set out with her toward the
p Pont Neuf and then turned to the
right, following the less frequented
lanes OF the Quarter until he
reached the Impasse de Paradis,
where he drew up within an inch
of the blind wall at it's dark end.
Scarcely had the wheels ceased
toSaevolve when Arendsen, who
had feen anxiously awaiting It,
sprang In beside Fanchette, as she
came toward the door in surprise
at the stoppage. He had thrown a
blanket about her head and Shout
ders before she could utter q sound,
and although she fought desper-
ately to free herself it was in vain,
for Seager had come to the others
assistance. They carried her in
3D. tlears, and by the time they got her
to the foot of the stairs she had
ceased to struggle.
"Show a light" Arendsen or
dered breathlessly, and, as the
other struck a match, he stopped
over her, withdrawing the blanket
and her long gray cloak.
"She's safe" he muttered, star
ing into the white, wrinkled face,
and Seager shifted.
"Chloroform!" he commented In
differently, and kicked the blanket
to one side. you're taking strong
measures now, Arendsen."
When they came downstairs
again, having left her unconscious,
safely locked up in the studio,
Arendsen had grey shawl in one
hand and he picked her cloak up in
passing.
No one seemed to have noticed
the car standing there In the
shadow He entered it, after a last
look at the gaunt, black building
behind him, and Seager drove him
at decorous speed toward the
Elysee.