The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-20

Up TO quarter OF million, ana IL n
an enterprise which could scarcely be
Attempted except BY some one In I
peculiar position. Violet, IL were
not sure that he had seen me, I
should leave the house this minute.
Why7" she asked, wonderingly.
Don't you understand" Peter Ruiz
continued. softly, that I myself am
still what they call q 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 q valuable ally
She turned slowly pale.
Peter. she said. " you wouldn't
dream--you wouldn't dare to be so
fooIish?''
He shook his head firmly.
My dear girl he said, we 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. IL
could Things have changed, Violet
| want nothing OF that sort. l have
kept my HANDS clean and mean to do
So Why, years ago. he continued,
when | was feeling at my widest,
these very jewels were within nv
grasp one foggy night, and / never
touched them"
What would happen II you refused
to help"
II do not know" Peter Run an
swered. :" The conditions are 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 RUIZ, who was an
excellent r1conteur, told many stories.
The Marquis de Sogrange was per-
maps the next successful In HIS efforts
to entertain his neighbours 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 Run
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 dlvan surrounding the
room.
This is an unexpected pleasure, my
friend" Sogrange said. watching the
ash OF his cigar. Professional?
Peter Run shook his head.
Not in the least" he answered.
have had the good fortune to render
Lady Mary and her brother, 1T differ
ent times, services which they are
pleased to value highly. We are here
as ordinary guests my wife and t.
The Marquis sighed.
All, that wife Of yours, Rum /" he
said. She is charming, admit. and
you are lucky man. but 1t was .
price-a very great price to pay
You. perhaps. are ambitious, Mar
quis,' Peter Run answered. II have
not done so badly. A little contents
me-"
SoHange looked at him as though
he were some strange creature.
II seei . he murmured. II seel
With you, OF conrse, the commercial
side comes uppermost. Mr.. Run, what
do you suppose the income from my
estate amounts to?
Peter Run shook his head. He did
not even know that the Marquis was
nnooaccod NJ asfqfaaf
Somewhere about seven millions
Of francs" Sogrange declared. There
are few men in Paris more extrava-
CANT than /, and think that We
rrenchmen know what extravaganza
neans. 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 Cienarvon dia-
monds to our coffers?"
Peter Ruff sat very still.
You mean that?' he said
"Of course! i" Sogrange answered.
Didn't you realize 1t directly you
saw me? What Ia there. do you think
In O dull English house-party to at
tract a man like myself? Don't you
understand that It Is the gamblers
instinct-the restless desire to be play
ing pitch-and-toss with fate. with
honor. With life and death. 4 you