The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-01

Whats this about7" growled the admiral.
 ''The man says he must take us back tomorrow or leave us. as he has prom 1sed to return to Ajaccio to carry party to Bonifacio." NJ. Ferraud ex- plained.
 Then if we don't go tomorrow it means a week in this forsaken hole?"
 'It is possible" Nj. Ferraud turned to Carlo once more. ''we will make it 50 francs per day"
 "Impossible!'
 ''Then you will return tomorrow without us."
 Carlos face hardened. "But''-
 Come outside STith me- said M. Ferraud in tone which brooked no further argurrent-
 The two ste ped cut into the hall. and when the Frenchman came back his face was animated.
 "M. Ferraud." said the admiral ici- 1y, my daughter has informed me what passed between you. must say that you have taken a deal upon your self"
 M. Ferraud is right" put in Fitz- gerald.
 You too?"
 "Yes. I think the time has come for Nj. Ferraud to offer full explanations"
 The butterfly hunter resumed his chair. They will remain or carry us on to Corte. From there we can take the train. back to Ajaccio. saving a day and a half. Admiral. I have a confession to make. It will surprise you. and I offer you my apologies at once" He paused. He loved mo- ments like this. when he could resort to the dramatic in perfect security. ''I was the man in the chimney
 The admiral gasped. Laura dropped her hands to the table. Cathewe sat back stifHy. ColdfeId stared Hide garde shaded her face with the news paper through which she had been idly glancing.
 ''Patiencer' as the admiral made as though to press back his chair. MT. Fitzgerald knew from the beginning. Is that not true?'
 ''It is. M. Ferraud. Go on'
 "Breitmann is the great-grandson of Napoleon. By this time he is travel ing over some mountain pass with his inheritance snug under his hand. You will ask. Why all these subterfuges, this lodging in and out? Thus. Could l have found the secret of the chim- ney-I worked from memory-none of us would be here. and one of the great conSpiracieS of the time would have been nipped in the bud. What do you think? Breitmann proposes to go into France with the torch of an archy in his hand. and if he does he will be shot. He proposes to divide this money among his companions, who. with their pockets full of gold, will desert him the day he touches France. Do you recoIlect the scar on his temple? It was not made by a sa- Der. It is the mark of a bullet He received 1t while a correspondent in the Balkans. Well. 1t left a mark on his brain also-that is to say. he is conscious of what he does. but not why he does it. He is a sane man with an obsession. This wound. to- getheP with the result of Germany's brutal policy toward him and Frances indifference. has made him a kind Of monomaniac. You will ask why I, an accredited agent in the employ of France. have not stepped in and ar- rested him. My evidence might bring him to trial. but it would never con vict him. Once liberated he would begin all over again. meaning that I also would have to start in at a new beginning. So have let him proceed to the end. and in doing so l shall save him in spite of himself. You see. l have bit Of sentiment"
 Hfldegarde could have reached over and kissed his hand.
 ''Why didn't he tell all this to me?'' cried the admiral. .'why didn't he tell me? would have helped him."
 ITO his death perhaps" grimly. flor the money was only means. not an end The great-grandson of Napoleon well. he will never rise from his ob- scurity. and some time when the clouds lift from his brain he will remember me-
 And this whimsical turn caused even the admiral to struggle with a smile. He was a square. generous old sailor. He stretched his hand across the table Nj. Ferraud took it. but with a shade of doubt.
 You nre a good man. NJ. Ferraud. I'm terribly disappointed. All my life I have been goose chasing for treas ures. and this one I had set my heart on. You've gone about 1t the best you ccnId- If you had told me from tn start there wouldn't have been any fun"
 That is it,'' eagerly assented M Ferraud Why should l spoil you innocent pleasure? For a month yot have lived in a fine adventure. and n' harm has befallen. And when you re turn to America you will have an uH rivaled story to tell. but do not thin you will ever tell all of it. He wi. have paid in wretchedness and hu initiation for his inheritance. Ani who has a better right to it? Ever. coin may represent a sacrifice. depri vation, and those who gave 1t freely gave if to the blood. Is it sometimes that you laugh at Freno b sentiment"
 Mot in Frenchmen like you" said the admiral gravely.
 "Goodi To men of heart whGt mat ters the tongue?"