Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-15

his heavy joWls and prominent chin
His eyes blazed, shifting from the al
cove to O'Rourke. .
MONSIEUR" he demanded harshly
twhat does. this Insult mean?"
"Mean?" iterated ORourke. INSULT
Faith, We have me there
Speeches. with rage, Des Trebes ges
tured violently toward the alcove; and
o'Rourke became aware that the cur
tains were shaking al
though a draught stirred them. But
there was no draught. And beneath
their edge he saw two feet-two small
bewitching feet In the daintiest and
most absurd Of evening slippers, with
an inch or so of silken stockings show.
ing above each.
Des Trebes eyes, filled with an e1'
pressios unspeakably offensive, met
the Irishmans blank, wondering gaze.
ut is no doubt" the Frenchman STAN
mered, sanctioned by your code to
have me spied upon by the partner OF
your liaisons."
But, monsieur"
II compliment the lady upon the
smallness Of her feet, as well as upon
ankles so charming that cannot bring
myself to leave without glimpse OF
their mistress features"
Des Trebes moved toward the al.
cove. Thunderstruck, O'Rourke rap
ped out a stupefied oath, then in q
stride forestalled the man. With him
1t was as IL suddenly a circuit had
closed in his intelligence, establishing
a definite connection between the three
now four-most mystifying Incidents
Of the evening.
LESS haste, monsieur" he coun.
seled in a voice Of Ice. His hand fell
with almost paralyzing force upon the
others wrist as he sought to grasp
the curtain, and swung him roughly
back. yourself will never know who's
there-whoever the lady may be.
All, but TO- monsieur"
Maddened beyond prudence, Des
Trebes had struck at his face.
O'Rourke warded off the blow and In
what seemed the same movement
whirled the man round by his captive
wrist and caught the other arm from
the back. The briefest Of struggles en-.
sued. The Frenchman, taken at com.
plete disadvantage, was for all his re-
sistance hustled to the door and
thrown through it before he fairly com.
pretended what was happening.
Free at length, If on all tours. he
scrambled to his feet to find O'Rourke
had shut the door behind him, calmly
awaiting the next move.
Haven't We had enough?" demand
ed the Irishman as the yicomte, blind.
ed with passion, seemed about to re.
new the attack. "Or are ye wishful
to be going downstairs in the same
fashion,"
Des Trebes drew back, snarlIng.
you dog!" he cried Then abrupt
", by an admirable effort, he Gained
himself surprisingly. drawing himself
up with considerable dignitssand throt.
ting his temper as he quietly adjust
ed the disorder Of his clothing. Only
in his eyes, black as sloes and small,
did there remain any trace of his ma
lignant and unquenchable hatred.
81 am unfortunately" he sneered,
incapable of participating in such
brawls as you prefer, Colonel O'Rourke.
But | am not content. warn
you My rank prevents me from
furnishing you personally; l am obliged
to fight gentlemen only"
O'Rourke laughed openly.
"But I advise you to leave Monte
Carlo before morning. Should you 70.
main, or should you come within my
neighborhood another time-at what
ever time-I will kill you as I would a
rabid cur--or cause you to be shot
There's always the towards al
tentative" returned the Irishman.
But We mustn't forget we've only the
one leg to stand upon in society-your
notoriety as duelist. And shall
take steps to see that We fight-me be-
fore sunset. Else shall all Europe
know We for coward"
Behind the vicomte the lift shot up,
paused, and discharged a single pas.
senger. AS swiftly the cage disap.
peared.
Out Of the corner Of his eye
O'Rourke recognized the newcomer as
an old acquaintance, and his heart
swelled with gratitude while a smile
of rare pleasure shaped itself upon
his lips. He had now the Frenchman
absolutely at his mercy.
Captain Won Einem," he said
quickly, "by your leave, moment OF
your time"
The man paused stiffly. with the
sauare-set and erect poise Of an officer
Of the German army. AT your service,
Colonel ORourke," he said In impec.
cable French.
But the Irishman had returned undi'
vided attention to Des Trebes. Mon.
sieur," he announced. your nose an
noys me-" And with that he shot out
a hand and seized the offensive mem.
Der between q strong and capable