The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-02-03


raced gardens. Ever descending, they
came at length TO the secluded, little
lighted and less frequented portions OF
the grounds which border the water.
front, and presently sat side by side
upon a bench, looking out over tho
harbor. Then and then only did Des
/ Trebes approach his subject-some.
thing which he had until now studious.
ly avoided. distracting the not over,
patient Irishman by a falling fire OF
banalities.
Il dare say, Colonel O'Rourke," he
suggested abandoning his mother
tongue for excellent English--"I dare
say you are wondering"
Il am that"
II feared 40. But II was essential
that We should speak in privacy"
Yes"
! But before proceed. may put you
J a question or two bordering. perhaps,
upon impertinence. yet not SO con.
ceiyed?"
O'Rourke commented mentally. AS
for that" said he aloud, "'tis impos.
sible for me to calculate the imperti
nence until It's put to me. Eh?"
Believe me, sir, am anxious only
to avoid indiscretion. 1t is the ques.
ton OF your identity alone. desire
only to be assured that you are the
Colonel O'Rourke I take you to be-"
"My faith And who else would I
be, now"
There's the bare possibility that
two OF the same name might exist"
TITS SO bare that tits fairly indie.
cent" chuckled the Irishman. But fire
away"
81 am not mistaken in assuming
that address the Colonel Terence
O'Rourke who was at one time party
10 lie petit Lemercie's mad Empire du
Sahara project and who later mar
ried Lemarcier's widow, Madame la
Princesse de Grandeur"
O'Rourke took a long breath and
looked his questioner up and down.
'Ye have a very pretty taste in the
matters OF impertinences," he said
gravely. However, let that pass. I'm
the same man."
"A thousand pardons. Caution in
matters such as this" A shrug com,
pleted the thought most eloquently.
You can give me proofs OF your iden.
tlty, them"
Proofs" O'Rourke got to his feet.
Believe me, monsieur, ye have all the
proof I'm willing TO give We. and that s
my last word II we find it insufficient,
why, then"
"Pardon!" Des Trebes interrupted
rising. 81 am myself more than con.
tent. But the Government of France
THE Government of France"
O'Rourke whistled.
is more exacting than /. 1t knows
certain Colonel ORourke and him
alone does It need"
The diyvle it does, And what will
1t be wanting with me?"
81 can say at present no more than
that represent Government in an
affair demanding secrecy and dispatch.
| have a certain diplomatic mission to
discharge, and shall have need mon
sieur. OF man strong, bold, venture
some, willing to undertake long and
perhaps perilous journey" Had Des
Trebes been inspired he could have
formulated no speech better calculated
to intrigue the Irishman the merest
echo OF It's import would have fred
his hearers fancy. He added: And
am authorized to retain for that pur.
pose, should I be fortunate enough TO
find him unengaged, a certain Colonel
Terence ORourke."
Say no more, monsieur. It's
enough. Secrecy-dispstch-a long
and perilous Journey Faith I'm just
your mani"
You have no other business OF the
moment"
None whatever"
Then | am indeed fortunate. Ard
now, | presume, you will no longer
object to satisfying me as to your iden.
tity."
Not In the least. Although, to be
candid. monsieur, I'm not in the hab
II Of carrying me Bertillion record
about me. But II yen have the good
nes to accompany me to the Orient
over there, I'll put your mind at ease
before ye can say knife"
Des Trebes nodded. "I should be
delighted, but unfortunately" he
snapped the case OF his watch--'I
have an appointment with a contrere
May we FIX a time-in half an hour,
ray when II will be convenient for
you to have me call at the Orieptf'
In half an hour? I'll await yt
then. monsieur"
Pardon. then, my haste. am late
! must be off."
The mans hand touched o,Rourket
In the most brief OF clasps, singularly
| Arm and cold. Tho Irishman pondered