The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-06-29
Af1lLLION.
~ HudsonD ouSlAe,
CHAPTER xx.-Continued.

bdiu tslc DuC Ill HOdTSS whisper
which was the best voice he could
muster. "She did not return to
the Hotel des Reeves from the
Elysee. You must help me to find
her again."
Jules Chevrel's face darkened.
So this was why those Americans
had beer. SO liberal And he who
had acted as chauffeur, the tall,
fair man who called himself Ste
phen Quaintance, had told him
that Madame had been safely de-
livered at her. destination. They
had misled him, had tricked him,
and A dazzling inspiration en-
tered his mind. He almost chuckled
to think how fortunes wheel had
revolved since the day on which
that other American beast had
thrown him into the sea at Rock
away beach. 1t seemed that he
might now revenge himself con-
dignly for that still ranking insult.
For 1t was none other than his
aggressor whom he had observed
overnight in the concert hall Of
the Blue Rabbit at the same table
with the chauffeur, Stephen Quain-
lance. He would teach all those
perfidious foreigners that they
could not make fool Of French
man and go scot-free. But he
must be 4, wary lest Monsieur
should learn the part he himself
had played with regard to the car.
He expressed most respectful
sympathy with his employer over
such an altogether unlocked for
misfortune.
1T Is but right to assume"
he went on, that Madame la
Duchesse has not disappeared of
her own free will. Has Monsieur
noticed any acquaintance of hers
in her neighborhood?"
Monsieur was on his feet in an
instant, striding to and fro in the
spacious bedroom. He had indeed
noticed what the perspicacious
Jules had suggested, and that no
later than last night at the Elysee.
He told the cunning valet some
part of what he had observed
there, and that rascal was inward
ly transported although he had lis
tened with great outward gravity
1T may be then that l can offer
Monsieur clue he declared.
1.-THE gentleman Monsieur de-
scribes was seen with Madame in
America. caught glimpse Of
him yesterday at Auteuil. Late last
night / saw him in company with
two others at cafe, and one Of
the others wore motor clothing, a
completeA chauffeur's outfit 1t al
most loGh3 as though they had alb
Quoted Madame!"
The Due CRASHED bis teeth in a
passion of impotent anger. He
had not told Jules of Madame's
quick emotion at sight of her
countryman, how she had greet
ed him. or that the stalwart Ameri-
can had left the palace immediate
ly after. A most poisonous sus-
picion was penetrating his mind
He had just remembered that she
had insisted upon leaving by her.
self, forbidden him to see her to
her carriage. And at that instant
all his good resolutions deserted
him. He could see clearly then
how he had been tricked by the
one woman ne had ever trusted
Get me a pint of champagne,
quickly, Jules" he commanded
t"and a glass of cognac to go with
! It,"
) AS Jules left the room he threw
himself down on the bed, covered
> his face with two twitching hands
What a fool he had been to be-
lieve that women were any better
than men. And she had taken him
In so easily. All she wanted, Of
course, was to free herself of po-
lice surveillance so that she might
go back to the man who had follow
+ ed her from America. What was
he to do now? Put the matter
into the hands of the police and
so incur public exposure? No,
that would not do. It would not
help him to have her brought back
a prisoner. Did he want her back
at all, since she had thus cruelty
) killed his nascent faith in her
, flawlessness? He did not know.
He hastily swallowed the heady
liquor Jules brought him, curtly
babe that still respectfully SYM
pathetic schemer remov his he
longings back to the Rue st.
Honore. and left the room, almost
too sorely stricken to think, not
caring whittier he went, but with
/. murder for latent motive. And, as
he walked. with bent head down
the vestibule of the hotel on his
way out into the sunshine. Quain-
lance came up the steps toward
him, arm In arm with Cornoyer
and In mood no less reckless.
At sight of him the Due stopped
abruptly and drew long, kissing
breath. Here was opportunity all
unlocked for. He must make the
most of 1t. And Quaintance was
eyeing hip in no friendly fashion,
although Cornoyer, who knew the
Due. had nodded a salutation and
would have passed on.
He Intercepted the pair by step
ping squarely In front of Quain-
lance. He had recovered his wits
now, in SO far as outward conduct
was concerned, and knew exactly
what he must do.
THE pleasure of a word with
Monsieur" he begged, having lift
ed his hat with great ceremony.
Quaintance waited. impressive,