Evening star., 1911-06-11
Continued from page 4

@Then you decline me-"
3That is impossible. You are the one
man in the world whom l love to honor.
Call your friends. For tonight have no
enemies He looked at his dragons, who
were smiling contemptuously. ave will re-
ceive these gentlemen for the sake of Mon
sieur de Marillac, whose genius belongs to
the world. Monsieur, where are they?'
The professor opened the door. "Here!'
THE white, haggard faces of eleven men
who looked like tramps were set in the
framing of the doorway.
ALLOW me to introduce to you Count
Raoul Dagobert, said the professor. 4Count
Herr Felix Grishenheim."
The Prussian smiled genially and tossed
his revolver upon sofa. 3You are welcome,
Gentlemen" said he.
Dagobert sheathed his saber. For twenty
seconds German and Frenchman looked
straight into each others eyes.
3You are my guest, Monsieur we
say for twelve hours?S
Count Dagobert bowed.
Three minutes later the famished francs
tireurs were making short work of the food
placed before them. The Prussians had re-
sumed their seats at the table, and they
watched their guests with moody, super
c1l1OuS, or Indifferent expressions.
"Permit me to remark, Monsieur lie Comte,
that one does not often meet gentleman
of your position among mere francs-tireurs,
observed Grishenheim, carefully filling
porcelain pipe.
Il had my reasons, Herr Commandant,
and they were not pleasant ones"
"And, this occasion being as singular as it
is gratifying, | should be charmed to take
note of each of your names, Messieurs.'
The Major produced pocket book and pencil
from an inside pocket of his tunic, and
looked from one hungry guest to another
with an interrogative smile.
"Ah, we are a mixed assembly, said
Marillac, his mouth filled with cold par
fridge. First, there is Etienne Fouchard,
master of the old Geneva school of fencing;
second and he went through the list
Good, answered the Commandant, fold
ing the slip of paper after tearing it from his
book. @Who knows when we shall meet
again?'
A S he spoke he passed the folded slip to
one of his subordinates who sat next to
him, using the tablecloth as screen. The
German felt the paper squeezed secretly into
his palm, and presently, yawning heavily,
he left the room.
Then he glanced at the paper and read
not list of the names of the company, but
the following message:
To THE COMMANDING OFFICER AT MOVERS
/ beg to announce that / have lured twelve
francs-tireurs into the farmhouse in the glen of
St. Albert Pray send immediate assistance.
F. GRIsHENHEIM, Major.
$50! That is better, certainly" chuckled
the trooper. 1--WE could have beaten them
ourselves, though. Still, the Herr Com
mandant is prudent, as always, and those
scarecrows look like devils incarnate. The
camp at Meyers? l can ride there in half
an hour"
The outside darkness blinded him. He
took dozen forward PAGES, and received
crushing blow from the butt end of rifle
which stretched him upon the ground.
zone from twenty leaves nineteen!7 grunt-
ed Able Remilly. @That was narrow
thing. He ran right into us. What are you
doing?7
"They have taken SO much from us that
we ought to get back what we cam an
swered the old woman. Bah. his pockets
are empty, though, except for this paper"
The other snatched it from her. Il don't
suppose it is anything said he, crumpling
it into his palm. u don't understand the
situation at all. The Count would not have
gone off without me; on the other hand, he
is not in the house or we should have heard
the firing. Devil take me if know what to