Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-05-18

At this moment an awestrucK at
tendant came to say that the baron
wished a word with NJ. Paul.
by all means consented the Judge
Haltingly. on his cane, Couuenil
made made his way to an adjoining
room. AS he glanced at the baron, NJ
Paul saw that once more the man had
demonstrated his extraordinary self
control lie was cold and composed as
usual
The other day you said you were
sorry when you left me in that hot
cellar" said Coquenil. "Now you're in
a fairly hot place yourself, baron, and
I'm not sorry"
De Heidelmann-Bruck shrugged his
shoulders.
"The point is" said the baron. "I am
going to pay the price that society ex.
acts when this sort OF thing is found
out. am perfectly willing to pay it,
not in the least afraid to pay it and,
above all. not in the least sorry for
anything, want you to remember
that and repeat 1t. have no patience
with cowardly, canting talk about re-
morse. / have never for one moment
regretted anything l have done, and
regret nothing now. Nothing! l have
had Eve years Of the best this world
can give-power, fortune, social posi-
ton, pleasure. everything, and what
ever l pay I'm ahead of the game.
want you to believe, though. that
was genuine when I said | liked you
| was ready to destroy you. but liked
you. like you now. Coquenil. and.
this is perhaps our last talk; they will
take me off presently, and-you collect
odd souvenirs here is oue--a little
goodby-from an adversary who was
game. anyway. You dout MUD ac-
cepting it;'
There was something in the mans
voice that Coquenil had never heard
there. Was it a faint touch of senti-
ment? He took the ring that the baron
handed him, an uncut ruby, aud look
ed at it thoughtfully
He handed back the ring.
The baron's face darGcucd lie
made an angry gesture Then he
twisted the ring in his fingers
"Ah. that pride of yours. You've
been brilliant. you've been brave, nut
never uukind before. It's only bau-
BILE Coquenil and
De Hedelmann Bruck stopped sud
denly. and NJ Paul caught a savage
CLEAN in his eyes; then. swiftly. the
baron put the ring to his mouth and,
sucking in his breath, swallowed hard.
The detective sprang forward, but it
was TOO late.
"A doctor-quick" he called to the
guard
NO dsP," murmured the rich man,
sinking forward.
Coqupnil tried to support him, but
the body was too heavy for his band
aged hand, and the prisoner sank to
the floor.
IL won the last trick, anyhow"
the baron whispered
Coquenil picked up the ring that had
fallen from nerveless hand. He put
1t to his nose and shifted it.
"PruSSic acid. he muttered.
Two minutes later. when DIR. Duprat
rushed in, the Baron de Heidelmann-
Bruck, unafraid and unrepentant, had
gone to his last long sleep. His face
was calm. and even in death his lips
seemed set in a mocking smile of tri-
umph
When a sweet young girl finds her.
self in serious debt to a man and at
the same time one of the richest heir
esses in the world. she naturally
wishes to give some substantial form
to her gratitude. even to the extent of
a few odd millions from her llmitless
store. which Alice was very glad TO do
At any rate. Coquenil was hence
forth far beyond any need of follow
ing his profession. Whatever use he
might in the future make of his bril-
joy of conquest and strictly in the
spirit of art for its own sake.
On the other hand. If at any time
he wished to undertake a case it was
certain that the city of Paris or the
government of France would tender
him their commissions on a silver sal
yer. for now. of course. his justifca-
tion was complete. and by special ar
rangement he was given sort of row
ing commission from headquarters.
with indefinite leave of absence. Best
of all. he was made chevalier Of the
Legion of Honor for conspicuous pub
lie service" What a day it was. to
be sure. when Nine. Coquenil first
caught sight of that precious red badge
on her sous coat!
AS for the lovers. there Is only this
to be said-that they were ridiculous
ly. indescribably happy.
The young American had one griev.
ance.
ITS playing it low on a fellow" he
said. when he's just squared himself
to hustle for poor candle seller to
change her into bowling millionaire.
I'd like to know how the devil I'm go
Ing TO be a hero nowT
SILLY boy she laughed. her radiant
eyes burning on him.
you darling" he cried, "My little
A IicaW