Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-02-19
THE ADVENTUREs|l0F
Mr.. PETER RUFF
BY z. Phillips oppenheim-Ths Per-
fidy of Miss Brown.
Copyright, 1909, BY the Pearson Pub.
fishing Co.
CONTINUED from Yesterday,


mot to notice him. OF course, his
presence here may be accidental. He
has a perfect right to enter any So
ciety he chooses. At the same time,
! am uneasy"
She understood in a moment.
The Clenarvon diamondsi she
whispered.
He nodded.
" 1t is just the sort OF affair which
would appeal to the Double-Four -
he said. They are worth anything
up to a quarter OF million, and it is
an enterprise which could scarcely be
attempted except by some one in a
peculiar position Violet, IL I were
not sure that he had seen me, |
should leave the house this minute"
Why?" she asked, wonderingly.
Don't you understand Peter Ruff
continued, softly, that | myself am
still what they call a corresponding
member of the Double-Four and
they have right to appeal to me for
help in this country. as have a right
to appeal to them for help or informa-
ton In France? We have both made
use of one another to some extent.
No doubt. If the Marquis has any
scheme in his mind. he would look
upon me as valuable ally"
She turned slowly pale.
Peter" she said, you wouldn't
dream-you wouldn't dare to be SO
foolish?"
He shook his head firmly.
Ny dear girl" he said, I'VE talked
that all out long ago. A few years
since, | felt that | had been treated
badly, that | was an alien, and that
the hand of the law was against me.
| talked wildly then, perhaps. When
| put UP my sign and sat down for
clients, meant to cheat the law. II
could. Things have changed, Violet
want nothing of that sort. have
kept my HANDS clean and | mean to do
so. Why, years ago." he continued,
when l was feeling at my widest.
these very jewels were within my
grasp one foggy night. and never
touched them"
What would happen If you refused
to help?"
al do not know" Peter Ruff an
swered. The conditions are a little
severe. But, after all, there are no
hard and fast rules. 1t rests with the
Marquis himself TO shrug his shoulders
and appreciate my position. Perhaps
he may not even exchange word with
me. Here is Lord Sotherst coming to
talk to you, and Captain Hamilton is
waiting for me to tell him an address.
Remember, don't recognize Sogrange."
Dinner that night was an unusually
cheerful meal. Peter Ruff. who was an
excellent raconteur, told many stories.
The Marquis de Sogrange was per-
haps the next successful in his efforts
TO entertain his neighbors. Violet
found him upon her left hand, and al
though he showed not the slightest
signs of having ever seen her before,
they were very soon excellent friends.
After dinner. Sogrange and Peter Ruff
drifted together on their way to the
billiard-room. Sogrange, however,
continued to talk courteously of trifies
until. having decided to watch the first
game. they found themselves alone on
the leather divan surrounding the
room.
This is an unexpected pleasure. my
friend" Sogrange said. watching the
ash OF his cigar. Professional?
Peter Ruff shook his head.
:" Not in the least" he answered. 81
have had the good fortune to render
Lady Mary and her brother, at differ
ent times, services which they are
pleased to value highly. We are here
as ordinary guests-my wife and l."
The Marquis sighed.
All, that wife of yours, Ruff " he
said. She is charming, | admit, and
you are a lucky man: but 1t was a
price-a very great price to pay"
You. perhaps, are ambitious, Mar
quis," Peter Ruff answered. 81 have
not done so badly. A little contents
me-"
Sogrange looked at him as though
he were some strange creature.
/ see." he murmured. "I see!
With you. Of course, the commercial
side comes uppermost. Mr.. Ruff, what
do you suppose the income from my
estate amounts to-"
Peter Ruff shook his head. He did
not even know that the Marquis was
possessed of estatesi
Somewhere about seven millions
of francs" Sogrange declared. There
are few men in Paris more extrava-
CANT than |, and | think that we
Frenchmen know what extravaganza
means. But | cannot spend my in
come. Do you think that It is for the
sake of gain that | have come across
the Channel to add the Clenarvon dia-
monds to our coffers?"
Peter Ruff sat very still.
You mean that?" he said.
"Of course, Sogrange answered.
" Didn't you realize it directly you
saw me? What is there. do you think,
in dull English house-party to at
tract man like myself? Don't you
that II is the gamblers
restless desire to be play
ing pitch-and-toss with fate. with
honor. with life and death. If you
brings such as myself into
the ranks of the Double-Four II
Is the WEAKNESS which kills. Peter
Ruff. One must needs keep 1t from
ones bones"
Marquis" Peter Ruff answered, at
DO not profess to understand you. /
am not weary of life, In fact love 1t.
am looking forward to the years
when / have enough money-and Ii
seems as though that time is not far
off-when | can buy little place in |
the country. and hunt a little and |
shoot a little, and live a simple out |
,f-dOor life YOu see Maruuis we are |