The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-12-14

T@out, mOn6leur-
II compliment the lady upon the
smallness of her feet, as we'll as upon
ankles SO charming that cannot bring
myself to leave without glimpse OF
their mistress features"
!, Des Trebes moved toward the al
Ecove. Thunderstruck, O'Rourke rap
lped out a stuPefed oath, then in a
stride forestalled the man. With him
1T was as II suddenly circuit had
closed in his intelligence, establishing
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.
|Ah, but no. monsieur!"
Maddened beyond prudence, Des
|Trebes had struck at his face
|O'Rourke warded of the blow and in
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
Iplete disadvantage. was for all his re-
distance 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
led the Irishman as the vicomte, blind
ed with passion, seemed about to re
new the attack. "Or are ye wishfu
to be going downstairs in the same
fashion ?"
Des Trebes drew back, snarling
"You dog!" he cried Then abrupt
1y, by an admirable effort, he Gained
himself surprisingly. drawing himself
up with considerable dignity and throt-
Ting his temper as he quietly adjust
ed the disorder of his clothing. Only
lin his eyes, black as sloes and small,
did there remain any trace of his ma
lignant and unquenchable hatred.
, II 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; am obliged
to fight gentlemen only"
:: O'Rourke laughed openly.
"But I advise you to leave Monte
Carlo before morning. Should you re-
main, or should you come within my
neighborhood another time-at what
ever time-I will kill you as would a
rabid cur-or cause you to be shot"
There's always the towards al
tentative" returned the 1rishman.
,"But We mustn't forget we've only the
one leg to stand upon In society-your
notoriety as a duelist. And I shall
take steps to see that ye fight me be-
fore sunset. Else shall all Europe
know ye for a 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 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 stitfly, with the
;square-set and erect poise of an officer
of the German army. AT your service,
Colonel O'Rourke," he said in impec-
cable French.
But the Irishman had returned undi-
;vided attention to Des Trebes. "Mon-
isieur," he announced, your nose an.
,noys me-" And with that he shot out
a hand and seized the offensive mem.
Der between a strong and capable
thumb and forefnger 1T has annoy
ed me-" he explained in parenthesis,
sever since first clapped me two eyes
upon ye, scum of the earth that ye
are"
: And he tweaked the nose of Mon
lsieur lie Viscomte des Trebes, tWeak-
ed it with will and great pleasure,
,tweaked it for glory and the Saints;
carefully, methodically, even painstak-
ingly, he kneaded and pulled and twist
ed it from side to side, ere releas-
ing 1t.
Then stepping back and wiping his
fingers upon handkerchief, he cock
ed his head to one side and admired
the result of his handiwork. "'Tis
an amazingly happy effect" he OBJ
served critically-"the crimson blotch
1t makes against the chalky complex
ion ye affect, Monsieur des Trebes.
-. And now fancy yell fight.
Your friends may call upon mine here
Captain Won Einem, with your per-
mission" T.
Most happy, Colonel O'Rourke," as
scented the German, blue eyes sparkling
In nm imm0hilA cOuntenance. 1T shall