The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-15

Number Is, Rue de st. Quintaine,-
he told the man.
1t was not long ride. In less than
q quarter of an hour Peter Run pre-
sented himself before q handsome
white house in quiet, aristocratic-
looking street At his summons, the
postern door few open, and a man
servant in plain livery stood at the
second entrance.
Madame la Marquise? Peter Ruiz
asked
The man bowed in silence. and took
the visitors hat and overcoat. He
passed along spacious hall and into
> delightfully."- furnished reception
room, where an old lady with gray
hair sat in the midst OF little circle
of men. Peter Run stood, for q mo-
ment, upon the threshold, looking
around him. She held out her hands.
1t is Monsieur Peter Run, Is 1t not?
At last, then. am gratified. l have
wished for SO long to see one who has
become SO famous"
Peter Ruiz took her hands In his and
raised them CALAMITY to his lips.
Madame" he said, this is a
pleasure indeed At my last visit here,
You we're in Italy"
grow DID, she answered. 81
leave Paris but little now. Where
one has lived, one should at least be
content to die
Madame speaks philosophy"
Peter Ruff answered, which as yet
she has no need to learn
The old lady turned to q man who
stood upon her right:
And this from an Englishman!
she exclaimed
There were others who took Peter
Run by the hand then. The servants
were handing round coffee in little
Sevres cups. On the sideboard were a
choice of liqueurs and bottles of wine.
Peter Ruff found himself Hospitality
entertained with both small talk and
refreshments. But every now and
then his eyes wandered back to where
Madame sat in her chair, her hair as
white as snow-b beautiful still, in spite
of the cruel mouth and the narrow
eyes.
She is wonderful. !" he murmured
to man who stood by his side.
She is eighty-slx,7 was the answer
in whisper, and she knows every
thing
AS the clock struck two, a tall foot
man entered the room and wheeled
Madames chair away. Several of the
guests left at the same time Ruff.
when the door was closed, counted
] those who remained. As he had I'm.
agined would be the case, he found
I that there were eight.
/ A tall. gray-bearded man, who from
! the first had attached himself to Ruff,
and who seemed to act as sort OF
| master Of ceremonies, now approached
him once more and laid his hand upon
mis- shoulder.
Mon ami he said, I'VE will now
discuss, IL 1t pleases you, the little
/ matter concerning which We took the
liberty Of asking you to favor US with
a visit"
What. here?" Peter Ruff asked. in
some surprise
His friend, who had introduced him
/ self as Monsieur de Founcelles. smiled
But why not?' he asked. All
but | think understand! !" he added
/ almost Immediately You are Eng
lish, Monsieur Peter Ruff, and IN some
respects you have not moved with the
I times Confess. now, that your idea
| of secret society Is collection Of
! strangely attired men who meet IN 8
cellar. and build subterranean passages
/ In case of surprise. In Paris, think
we have gone beyond that sort o.
thing. We of the Double -Four havs
no headquarters save the drawing-roon
/ of Madame; no hiding-places whatso
/ ever; no meeting-piaces save the fash
I ionable cafes or our own reception
rooms. The police follow us-wha
j can they discover-nothing. What Il
/ there to over?--nothing! Gu
| lives are lived before the eyes of al
Paris. There is never any suspicion
! of mystery about any of our move
/ ments. We have our hobbies. and W
indulge in them Monsieur the Mar
quis de Sogrange here is a grea
sportsman, Monsieur lie Comte own
many racehorses. myself am an au
J thority on pictures, and own colleC
! ton which l have bequeathed to til
State. Paris knows Us well as men 0
fashion and mark--Paris does no
guess that we have perfected an OF
ganization so wonderful that the Who'll
criminal world pays toll TO u.s.
Dear me-" Peter Run said, this
| very Interesting!
1--WE. have trained army ar nj,