Arizona republican., 1911-02-13
THE ADVENTURES OF
Mr.. PETER RUFF
BY {. Phillips oppenheim-Mrs. Bog.
nor's Star Boarder.
BY e. Phillips oppenheim-The Per-
fidy of Miss Brown.
CONTINUED from Yesterday


though interested in watching the
crowds upon the street. Peter Ruff
appeared to be absorbed in his own
thoughts. Yet perhaps they were both
of them nearer to one another than
either surmised. Their parting in the
hall of the Continental Hotel was I'M
emotional enough. For a moment
Peter Ruff had hesitated when her
hand had lain in his. He had opened
his lips as though he had something
to say. Her eyes grew suddenly softer
seemed TO seek his as though begging
for those unspoken words. But Peter
Ruff did not say them then.
81 shall be back all right" he said.
Good night, Violet Sleep well!
He turned back towards the waiting
taxicab.
Number 16, Rue de st. Quintaine, +"
he told the man.
1t was not a long ride. In less than
a quarter of an hour, Peter Ruff pre-
sented himself before a handsome
white house in a quiet, aristocratic-
looking street. At his summons, the
postern door flew open, and a man
servant in plain livery stood at the
second entrance.
Madame la Marquise?" Peter Ruff
asked
The man bowed in silence, and took
the visitors hat and overcoat. He
passed along a spacious hall and into
a delightfully."- furnished reception
room, where an old lady with gray
hair sat in the midst of a little circle
of men. Peter Run stood, for a mo-
ment. upon the threshold. looking
around him. She held out her hands.
1t is Monsieur Peter Ruff. is it not?
At last, then, | am gratified. | have
wished for so long TO see one who has
become so famous"
Peter Ruff took her hands in his and
raised them calamity TO mis- lips.
Madame" he said, this is a
| pleasure indeed. At my last visit here,
you were in Italy"
a grow DID," she answered.
leave Paris but little now. Where
one has lived, one should at least be
content to die"
Madame speaks a philosophy"
Peter Ruff answered, which as yet
she has no need to learn"
The old lady turned to a man who
stood upon her right:
And this from an Englishman! I"
she exclaimed.
There were others who took Peter
Ruff by the hand then. The servants
we're handing round coffee in little
I Sevres cups. On the sideboard were a
choice of Liquors 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-beautiful still, in spite
of the cruel mouth and the narrow
eyes.
She is wonderful, he murmured
to a man who stood by his side.
She's eighty-six," was the answer
in a whisper, e and. she knows every
thing"
AS the clock struck two, a tall foot
man entered the room and wheeled
Madame's chair away. Several of the
guests left at the same time. RUIZ,
when the door was closed, counted
those who remained. AS he had i'm
agined would be the case, he found
that there were eight.
A tall, gray-bearded man, who from
the first had attached himself to Ruff,
and who seemed to act as a sort OF
master of ceremonies, now approached
him once more and laid his hand upon
his shoulder.
Mon ami" he said, Eve will now
discuss, II 1t pleases you, the little
matter concerning which we took the
liberty of asking you to favor us with
visit"
What, here?" Peter Ruff asked, in
some surprise.
His friend, who had introduced him
self as Monsieur de Founcelles, smiled.
But why Dot?" he asked. " All,
but ! think / understand he added,
almost Immediately. You are Eng
;ish, Monsieur Peter Ruff, and in some
respects you have not moved with the
times. Confess. now, that your idea
OF secret society Is a collection of
strangely attired men who meet in a
cellar, and build subterranean passages
in case of surprise. In Paris, think,
we have gone beyond that sort Of
thing. We of the Double Four have
no headquarters save the drawing-room
of Madame; no hiding-places whatso-
ever; no meeting-places save the fash
ionable cafes or our own reception
rooms. The police follow us-what
can they discover-nothingi What is
there to discover?-nothingl Our
lives are lived before the eyes of all
Paris. There is never any suspicion
of mystery about any of our move
ments. We have our hobbies, and we
indulge in them. Monsieur the Mar
quis de Sogrange here Is great
sportsman. Monsieur lie Comte owns
many racehorses. l myself am an au-
thority on pictures, and own a collec-
ton which / have bequeathed to the
State. Paris knows us well as men Of
fashion and mark-Paris does not
guess that we have perfected an Or
ganization so wonderful that the whole
criminal world pays toll to u.s."
Dear me-" Peter Ruff said, this is
very interestingi
We have a trained army at our
disposal" Monsieur de Founcelles con-
tinued. who numerically, as we'll as
In intelligence, outnumber the whole
force Of gendarmes in Paris. No
criminal from any other country can
settle down here and hope for success,
unless he joins US. An exploit which
is inspired by us cannot fail Our
agents may count on our protection,
and receive 1t without question"
am bewildered." Peter Ruff said,
frankly. =" l do not understand how
you gentlemen-whom one knows by