Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1912-03-22

sieur."
Des Trebes, lounging back, knees
crossed, thin white fingers interlac
ing, black eyes narrowing, regarded
the Irishman thoughtfully for a mo-
ment. Abruptly he sat up and re-
moved from an inner pocket a long
thin white envelope, thrice sealed with
red wax and innocent of any super.
scription whatever
Are you prepared, monsieur" he
demanded incisively. ito play blind
mans buff"
Am | what?" asked O'Rourke, star
! tied. Then he smiled Pardon; per-
haps | fail to follow ye."
Il mean" explained the vicomte pa
tiently, that | have to offer you a
commission to act under sealed or
ders"-he tapped the envelope-"the
| orders contained herein"
And when would | be free to open
that?''
las soon as you are at sea-away
| from France, Monsieur"
O'Rourke considered the envelope
doubtfully. From you, monsieur-from
the Government of France. which you
represent" he said at length, "yes;
| will accept such a commission
France" he ave red simply, knows
me; it wouldn't be asking me to do
anything a gentleman shouldn't"
You may feel assured of that"
agreed Des Trebes gravely. Indeed, l
venture to assert you will find this
let us say-adventure much to your
liking. Then you accept?"
One moment-a dozen questions.
by your leave. When must I
start?"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide, at ten minutes to
eight"
And where will be going?"
First to Paris; thence to Havre;
! thence, by the first available steamer,
to New York; finally, it may be to
| Venezuela, monsieur"
Expenses"
Il will myself furnish you with funds
sufficient to finance you as far as
will provide you with what more you
may require. It is essential that your
connection with this affair shall be
kept secret; should you draw on the
government in this country, it would
| expose you to grave suspicious. per-
haps to danger"
Il understand that" assented the
| lrishman. But to obviate all danger
of mistake, would it not be well to
1--we one of your trusted agents meet
| me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever We figure | might re-
| qu1re? It's barely possible your con-
sul-general might not recognize me in
New York. Why should he? | never
heard his name, even"
Des Trebes meditated this briefly.
1T shall be as you desire, monsieur. 1t
shall be arranged as you suggest"
FINALLY then. what is to be my
| recompense?
That must depend. | am authorized
| to assure you that in no case will
| you receive less than twenty-five thou
sand francs: in event of a successful
| termination of your mission, the re-
ward will be doubled"
TITS enough" said O'Rourke with
sigh; Il accept"
The Frenchman rose, Offering him
the envelope. You must pledge your
self. monsieur, not to break these seals
| until you are at scar"
"Absolutely-of course" O'Rourke
took the packet weighed it curlously
| in his hand and scrutinized the seals.
He remarked that they were yet soft
and fresh; the wax had been hot with
in the half hour
Il will do myself the honor of meet
ing you at the train to see you off. mon
sieur." said Des TrebeS. AT that time
| also, will | provide you with the funds
you require"
Thank ye"
Their hands met.
Good night, Monsieur O'Rourke."
Good night. :"
Half way to the door, Des Trebes
paused. "Oh, by the way" he ex.
claimed carelessly, Il believe you are
| friend OF my old schoolfellow, Cham
bret-mon cher Adolph?"
tbs So" assented the freshman
| warmly. THE best of men-Cham-
| brett"
odd" commented the vicomte:
only this afternoon | was thinking
of him. wondering what had become
of the man."
THE last heard of him, he was in
| Algeria, monsieur-with some French
force in the desert"
Thank you :" On the point
of leaving the vicomte snapped his
teeth on a second Good night" and
swore beneath his breath.
O'Rourke. surprised, stared The
| Frenchman was standing stiffly at at
, tention. as if alarmed. His pallor was.
! if possible, increased. ivid-his close
| ly shaven beard showing blue-black on
ais heavy iowls and prominent chin.