Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-13

far they have rot traced him. Now
think that you have the key to what
must have puzzled you so much"
''This is wonderful.' she murmured.
'Let me think for a moment"
"You are naturally anxious" the
yicornte continued. ito see your broth
er. Before very long. madernoiselle,
trust that it may be my pleasure to
bring you together. but when l tell
yeu that you are watched continually
in the hope that through you your
brothers. hiding plice may be found
you will understand the wisdom which
for the present keeps you apart"
81 suppose So" she answered dubi-
ously. .sBut now that his death is re-
portedT'
Exactly, mademoiselle. The affair
has been arranged so that the search
for your brother be abandoned and the
espionage on you removed. IT the
story of his -deings in Paris and the
tragic sequel to them be believed by
those whom we wish to believe it, then
they will also assume that his secret
has died with him and that their
schemes move on toward success. You
| understand"
Eyes, NJ. lie Vicomte, l understand"
she answered slowly. What then, DO
you wish me to do:"
"NIademoiselle." the vicomte answer
ed. fixing his dark eyes impressively
| upon her. for you there remains ths
l. Af IL
| me that when l came here II was not
| my intention to put the truth of the
matter so plainly before you. Neither
| was it tie will of those whose orders
| carry out But |, mademoiselle, before
all things l believe in inspiration.
find in matlemoiselle"-he bowed once
more-"qualties which alter the stu
| alton Ia Judge of faces, as l ven
| ture to believe myself-have looked into
yours, and many things have hap
| pened."
She laughed delightfully."-. Her eyes
We're lit with humor.
"Ah. monsieur she protested
with you. mademoiselle," he con-
| tinued, "reposes now a secret of great
| Importance to your country and mine.
l ask for no pledge of discretion. but
rely upon it And especially, ma6emoi-
selle, may I warn you against your
| friends
81 understand" she answered. you
wish me to share this confidence with
no one"
"With no one" the vicomte repeated
impressiveiy. Not even, mademoiselle
if l may venture to mention a name
with your very persistent admirer, Sir
| George Duncombe whom l saw here 9
few moments since"
She sighed, and the vicomte's face
became one of pale anxiety.
81 have not been permitted to sec
him." she answered. He was here q
few minutes ago.
at is wiser SO, mademolselle," tht
vicomte said. 81 wonder" he added
whether mademoiseile will pardon tai
impertinence of purely personal Ques
ton 2"
81 will try" she answered demurcly
"This Englishman, Sir George Dun
combe-are you perhaps-how you say
betrothed to him?''
A certain bluntness in the question
and the real or affected anxiety of tn,
young mans tone brought the colo
streaming into her cheeks.
Monsieur she exclaimed, you real
ly must NOT
''Ah, but. mademoiselle," he inter
rupted, 80 much depends upon you
answer"
"Absurdw she murmured. IT reall,
do not see why l should answer sucl
a question at all.''
You will be merciful," he begged
lowering his tone.
81 will she answered. 81 hope yo1
will appreciate my confidence. I an
not engaged to Sir George Duncombe.
His sigh of relief was marvellous
She found it harder than ever to kee
the laughter from her eyes.
"Mademoiselle," he declared, 81
makes me happy to have you sa
this"
"Really, yicomte" she protested.
"The situation. too" he said, "be
, comes less complex. We can very cas-
lily deal with him now. He shall ammo
you no more"
But he doesn't annoy me-" she ar
swered calmly. "On the contrary,
| should like to see him very much if
were permitted"
/ "Mademoiselle will understand we
: the indiscretion," he said earnestly.
She sighed q little YEARLY.
81 am afraid" she said, that I fin
it little hard to understand anythn
, clearly, but you see that trust yo'
) l will not see him.
/ "Mademoiselle is very WISE" he Al
r swered. Indeed, it is better no
There remains now a question which
I have come to ask
e "WelI?"
u "Mademoiselle did not by chanC
t while waiting for her brother think {
|. examining his luggage?"
@ She nodded.
: 81 did look through it." she admitte,
"There was a paper there which