The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-12-14
X I have your word and

am content sts5ss. y as!f3
That's the way of doing business
that like" assented O'Rourke heart
lily, warming little to the man az he
turned back chair facing the VI.
comte. Besides. I quarrel with no
mans right to be reasonable. ..e.
And now I'm at your service, mon
sieur." ~as
Des Trebes, lounging back, knees
crossed, thin white fingers interlac-
ing, black eyes narrowing, regarded ,
the Irishman thoughtfully for mo-
ment. Abruptly he sat up and re-
moved from an inner pocket a long
thin white envelope, thrice sealed with
red wax and innocent Of any super
scription whatever.
Are you prepared, monsieur" he
demanded incisiyely, ito play blind
mans buff?"
Am what?" asked O'Rourke, star
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per-
haps I fail to follow ye."
Il mean," explained the vicomte pa
tiently, that I have to offer you a
commission to act under sealed Or
ders"-he tapped the envelope-'the
! orders contained herein"
"And when would I be free to open
that?"
"As soon as you are at sea-away
from France, Monsieur"
O'Rourke considered the envelope
doubtfully. From you, monsieur-from
the Government of France, which you
represent" he said at length, yes;
will accept such a commission.
France" he averred simply, knows
me; it wouldn't be asking me to do
; anything a gentleman shouldn't"
"You may feel assured Of that"
agreed Des Trebes gravely. Indeed, I
venture to assert you will find this
let US say-adventure much to your
liking. Then you accept?"
by your leave. When must
start?"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide, at ten minutes to
EIGHT"
"And where will be going?"
First to Paris; thence to Havre;
thence, by the first available steamer,
ito New York; finally, it may be to
Venezuela, monsieur
Expenses? ?"
II will myself furnish you with funds
sufficient to finance you as far as
New York. There our consulgeneral
will provide you with what more you
may require. It is essential that your
connection with this affair shall be
kept secret; should you draw on the
government In this country, 1t would
expose you to grave suspicious, per.
haps to danger"
II understand that" assented the
Irishman. But to obviate all danger
of mistake would it not be we'll to
have one of your trusted agents meet
me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever ye figure I might re-
iquire? IT'S barely possible your con.
isul-general might not recognize me in
New York. Why should he? never
heard his name, even" -s -
Dies Trebes meditated this briefly.
1T shall be as you desire, monsieur. 1t
shall be arranged as you suggest"
Finally, then, what is to be, my
recompense?"
THAT must depend am authorized
to assure you that in no case will
you receiv@les than twenty-five thou.
sand francs; in event of successful
termination of your mission, the re-
ward will be doubled"
"'Tis enough" said O'Rourke with .
sigh; II accept"
The Frenchman rose, offering him
the envelope. you must pledge your
self, monsieur, not to break these seals
until you are at sea?"
"Absolutely-of course" O'Rourke
took the packet, weighed it curiously
in his hand and scrutinized the seals
He remarked that they were yet soft
and fresh; the wax had been hot with
in the half hour.
IT will do myself the honor Of meet
ing you at the train to see you off, mon
'sieur," said Des 'rrebes. "At that time
also, will provide you with the funds
you require"
THANK ye."
Their hands met.
"Good night, Monsieur O'Rourke."
Good night. :"
Half way to the door, Des Trebes
paused. "Oh, by the way" he ex
claimed carelessly, II believe you are
a friend of my old school-fellow, Cham
bret-mon cher Adolph?"
otis so," assented the Irishman
warmly. "The best of men-Cham
brett" '.'
"Odd," commented the vicomte;
"only this afternoon I was thinking
of him, wondering what had become
Of the man." .%S5
"The last heard of him, he was In
Algeria, monsieur-with some French
| force in the desert"
THANK you :" On the point
Of leaving the vicomte snapped his
teeth on a second "Good night" and