The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-08

/ don't see why you should be-"
she answered, bluntly. He was no
friend of yours, nor isn't now. He
may not be SO dangerous as he was,
but if you ever come across him, you
take my tip and be careful He means
to do you mischief some day, if he
can. | am not sure she added, I" that
he doesn't believe that it was partly
your fault about my leaving lome''
should be sorry for him to think
that Peter Ruff answered. while
we are upon the subject, can't you tell
me exactly why your husband dislikes
me so?"
For one thing" she answered, be-
cause you have been UP against him
in several of his cases, and have all
ways won.''
And for the other?' he asked.
Well she said, doubtfully, he
seems to connect you in his mind,
somehow. with boy who was in love
with me once--Mr. Spencer Fitzgerald
you know who | mean"
Run nodded
He still has that in his mind, has
he2" he remarked.
ooh, he's mad. she declared.
However, don't let us talk about him
any more
! The lights were being put out. Peter
I Ruff paid his bill and they rose to-
gether.
| Come down to the fiat for an hour
! or So" she begged taking his arm.
(" have dear little place with an
other girl-Carrie Pearce. I'll sing to
| you. If you like. Come down and have
! one drink. anyhow.
4 Peter Ruff shook his head firmly
am sorry he said, but you
1 must excuse me. In some ways, am
/ very old-fashioned' he added.
1 never sit up late, and hate music
" Just drive as far as the door with
me. then she begged.
Peter Ruff shook his head.
You must excuse me. he said,
handing her into the hanson. And.
/ Maud" he added If | may call you
so-take my advice: give it up-go
back to your husband and stick to him
| you'll be better of in the long run"
She would have answered him scorn-
fully. but there was something i'm
pressiye in the crisp, clear words-in
his expression. too, as he looked into
her eyes. She threw herself back in
corner of the cab with an affected
little laugh, and turned her head away
4 from him.
/ Peter Ruff walked back into the
I cloak-room for his coat and hat, and
sighed softly to himself. 1t was the
end OF the one sentimental episode
of his life.
!. 1t had been the study of Peter Rufus
life. so far as possible. to maintain
under all circumstances an equable
temperament, to refuse to recognize
the meaning of the word nerves,
and to be guided in all his actions by
that profound common sense which
was one Of his natural gifts. Yet
there were times when, like any Other
ordinary person, he suffered acutely
from presentiments. He left his
rooms, for instance. at five o'clock or
the afternoon Of the day following hi:
supper with Maud. suffering from {
sense of depression for which he found
it altogether impossible to account.
was true that the letter which he hat
in his pocket, the appointment which
he was on his way to keep, were boti
of them probable sources OF embar
rassment and annoyance, if not Q
danger. He was being invited, with
out the option Of refusal, to enter upol
some risky undertaking which woul
Weld him neither fee nor reward Ye
his common sense told him that It wa
part of the game. In Paris, he ha
looked upon his admittance into tn
order OF the Double Four as on
OF the stepping-stones to success
his career Through them he ha
gained knowledge which he could hay
acquired in no other way. Throug
FA, "A
the information that Madame
Comtesse de Pilitz was SerEia
patriot and friend of the Grow
, Prince: and that the Count Won Herr
posing in England as a sportsman an
an idler, was a highly paid and dan
gerous Austrian spy. There had bee
other occasions, too. upon which thf
had come to his aid. Now they ha
made an appeal to him--an appe;
, which must be obeyed. His time
! perhaps. even, his safety-must
: placed entirely at their disposal.
!, was only an ordinary return-a thin
expected Of nina thing which
A dared not refuse. Yet he knew vel
u well that ne could not explain TO the
, that the whole success of his II
depended 40 absolutely upon his
= naming free from any suspicion
wrong-doing. that he had received n
summons with something like disma
a and proceeded to obey II with una
i customed reluctance.
4 He drove to Cireys Cafe in Rege
4 Street, where he dismissed the driy
+ OF his hanson and strolled In with =
air Of an habitue. He selected CO
- ner table. ordered some refreshmei
u ana asked for box OF dominoes. T
MACE was fairly we'll filed A 4
women were sitting about; sprin
t; 20 ES.a,,ci,,non urera- taxing tn,