The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-04-19

glance at the bulge Of the adventur
er's coat-"that he thought It wise ia
come armed"
"'Tis a habit find It hard to break
meself Of" ORourke offered the In
adequate explanation In a dry and
coolish tone
1T was unnecessary. assure mon
sieur"
Faith I'm convinced twill prove
So"
Tactfully the vicomte dlgressed
from the unpleasant topic Il have
asked you here, monsieur" he said
with an air Of depreciation, ito confer
with me on business after we have
dined trust the arrangement suits
your convenience"
I'm content. monsieur"
81 regret that circumstances pre-
vent me from receiving you under
my-own roof-tree. The Villa d'Orleans
is the property of a dear friend,
merely loaned me during my stay in
Algiers."
"Ye're fortunate in your choice Of
friends"
Over his next remark Des Trebes
faltered trife, with a curious smile
that O'Rourke failed to fathom. Mon.
sieur Glynn." he said, "is-ah-a trifis
indispOsed-the sun. Nevertheless, ]
believe he will join us during dinner
if you will be so kind as to excuse
him-?"
II could do very well without him"
The vicomte caught the eye OF
servant, and. Dinner is announced"
he said. do me the honor TO &C
company me to the table"
In the course Of time, as the vicomte
had predicted, the Honorable BERTHE
Joined them; and o. sight O'Rourke
diagnosed the "fndisposition" as plain
intoxication. The EEglishman was
deep in his cups. far too deep to ape
the urbanity OF his host. He favored
ORourke with a curt nod and a surly
look then slumped Imply into a chair
and called for champagne, which he
drank greedily and with a sullen air
avoiding the vicomte's eye. Before
dessert was served he passed into
black humor, and sat mutely glover
Ing at his glass (what time he was
not unsteadily filling IT. without re-
gard for either of his companions.
When the cloth was cleared and
the servants had withdrawn, Des Ire.
hes definitely cast aside pretence.
cigarette between his lips, he lounged
in his chair. eyelids dropping over
eyes that never left his guests while
either spoke. A cynical smile pre-
faced his first words.
so" he said, the farce is over.
Some regard for the conventions was
necessary before the servants of my
friend. the owner of this villa Now.
we can be natural, Monsieur lie Colo
mel"
"Be ell means; | cannot say found
the play diverting, despite the skill OF
your friends chef | gather ye wish
to get to business? Well-rm wait.
ing" O'Rourke pulled at a cigar,
honoring the man with a cat-like at
tention. He had no longer to watch
the honorable the latter had will.
fully relieved him of the necessity.
You have been then" pursued the
vicomte, without further circumlocu'
ton, ito the palace Of Monsieur la
Commemorate nerale?"
81 overwhelmingly a few days
too late, it seems"
You are satisfied"
I'm satisfied that the Pool OF
Flame has been stolen"
Then you will probably believe
me when | declare myself the male
factor. 1t was an easy matter: /
purposely brought up the name OF
Chambret in conversation with the
Governor and by him was informed
of the existence of the packet-which,
of course, l had already surmised
Afterward the secretary was
absent, the safe open, the name on the
packet stared me in the face What
could | do?"
Precisely. I'm convinced that. be
ing what ye are, ye did only what ye
could"
The vicomte bowed, amusement
hickering in his glance. Touched"
he admitted. We'll I
have the Jewel. you the information"
(TO BE CONTINUED)