New-York tribune., 1910-09-25

but that belated display
of wisdom arose more from the need he felt OF human
cornpanionship than from any OF the aSuTdy OF
GOING alone TO fight a duel in a foreign land He had
given no thought during the eetng hours to the ece
sty of communicating with his relatives IN case ne ei
a victim Marignys rancOr; so he devoted nlSeI
now to writing brief to the Marquis OF Scar
land of the causes that led up to the duel tie con,
cuded with an entreaty that his brother in law should
use all means within his power to close down any m
quiry that might result and pointed out that in this
connection Dale would prove valuable ally, since his
testimony would make clear the fact that the contest
had taken place in France where dues are looked on
with more lenient eye than IN England .,
1t was difficult write egbly in the fast moving I'll
lighted train he completed the letter on board the
steamer; but did not hand 1t to Dale until after CaaS
reached.
While the steamer was drawing up to her berth, he
saw Margny among the few passengers on deck lie
had turned his back the Frenclman at Charn8
Cross; but the mperturbable Count, noticing Dale IN
the haf-ight of dawn, believed that Medenham had
brought a fellow countryman as witness. He strolled
up, and said afably
Is this gentleman your friends?
"Yes" said Medenham, though not quite in the
sense that you He Will accompany me to the
hotel, and await my return there
The Frenchman evidently mystifed He smiled;
but passed no other comment. Dale, who heard what
was said now wondered more than what lay behind
this sudden Journey to France. He had already recOg
nized Margny as the of the Du Vallon, for he
had seen him leaving the MetrOpole Hotel at Brighton
not many days ago and had the best of for
garding him as NIedcnhams S mplacable enemy Why,
then were these crossing the Channel in company,
going together to hotel and leaving him. Dale, TO
kick his heels in the small hours of the morning TIL 1t
pleased them to pick him up again?
In Justice the loyal hearted chauffeur, plunged un
knowingly into the crisis of his life 1t must be said that
the notion of duel did not occur to his puzzled
brain.
Nor was he given much time for speculation
riage awaited the trio at the quay. They carried
luggage entail delay at the customs, and they drove
off at rapid pace through silent streets in drenching
downpour of rain. When they reached the Hotel de Ia
PLACE neither Medenham nor the Frenchman alghted;
but the former handed Dale letter.
4 may be detained in France somewhat longer than
I anticipated" he said in a matter of fact tone. :" If
that is so, and you have to return to England with
out me, hand this letter to the Marquis of Scarland
Take great of it, and keep 1t in your possession
until you are positively assured that unable to go
with you.
These engmatcal instructions bothered their hearer
far than any of the strange proceedings of the
night:
How shall know, my Lord, whether | to go
back with you or not?" he asked.
"Oh of course shall make that quite clear laughed
Medenham "At present all you have to do IS to wait
here little while"
His careless de1neanor dispelled the first dim shadow
Of doubt that had arisen in DaleS mind. The
no stranger on the Continent, having travelled with his
employer the length and breadth of France and
Northern Italy; but the of this visit to the
Hotel de Ia PLACE at Calais perplexing that he
essayed another question.
"When may expect you, my Lord? he asked.
Medenham affected to consult his watch. within
an hour" he said; perhaps a few minutes more At
rate you may arrange catch the afternoon boat
Meanwhile, make yourself comfortable"
BY this time three men, whom he had never seen
before came odt from the hotel. Apparently they
fully prepared for the coming of the visitors from
England They greeted Marigny cordially, and
introduced to Medenham. Without more ado, two
of them entered the vehicle; the third, hOiSt1ng
umbrella climbed to the side of the driver whom
no aCrp and he cal