The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-05-02


ing, black eyes narrowing, regarded
the lrishman 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" no
demanded incisively, Ito play blind
mans buR?"
Am | what?" asked ORourke, star
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per-
haps fail to follow ye."
Il mean" explained the vicomte pa-
hently, that 1 have to offer you a
commission to act under sealed or
ders'-he tapped the envelope-"the
orders contained herein"
And when would 1 be free to open
that?"
AS O 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, Eyes;
will accept such a commission.
France" he averred 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, /
venture to assert you will find this
let us say-adventure much to your
liking. Then you acceptP,
"One moment-a dozen questions,
Dy you leave. When must l
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? p" 5
4 will myself fur a you with funds
sufficient to finance you as far as
New York. There our consul-general
will provide you with what more you
may require. It is essential that o Il
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"
! understand that" assented the
freshman. But to obvlate- all danger
of mistake, would it not be well to
have n of your trusted agents meet
me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever ye figure l might re-
quire? IT'S barely possible your con.
s%ul-general might not recognize me in
New York. Why should he? / never
heard his name. even"
Des Trebes meditated this briefly.
IT shall be as you desire, monsieur. It
SHAH be arranged as o suggest"
Finally, then. what is to be nv
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 win be doubled"
"'Tis enough" said O'Rourke with a
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 sea?'
"Absolutely-of course O'Rourke
took the packet, weighed it %curiously
IL 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. viii ! provide you with the funds
you require"
THANK ye."
Their hands met.
Good night. Monsieur ORourke"
Good night.
Half way to the door. Des Trebes
paused "Oh. by the way" he e K
claimed carelessly. Il believe you arc
a friend OF my old schoolfellow. Cham
bret-mon cher AdolphY
TITS So, assented the Irishman
warmly. The best OF men-Cham-
brett"
odd" commented the vieomte,
only this afternoon / was thinking
Of him, wondering what had become
of the man"
The last heard Of him. he was 10
Algeria, monsieur-wlth some French
la the desert"
Thank you :. on the mint
leaving the yioomte snapped his
teeth on a second Good night" and
swore beneath his breath
OfRourke. surprised, stared The
brenchman was standing stiRly az al.
t%ention. as II alarmed. His palior was.
IL possible, increased. livid-his close
~ shaver beard showing blue-black o..
bis heavy iowls and prominent chin.