The Washington herald., 1912-08-18

De Grost resumed his seat
Has it really come to that: he
asked "Will nothing but so crude a
proceeding as my absolute removal sat
isfy you?'
Nothing else is, fear, practicable y
Bernadine replied, unless you decide
to listen to reason. Believe me, my
dear friend, l shall miss you and our
small encounters exceedingly, but, un-
fortunately, you stand in the way of
my career. You are the only man who
has persistently baked me. You have
driven me to use against you means
which | had grown to look upon as
absolutely extinct in the upper circles
of our profession
De Grost peered through the glass
walls of the office.
he remarked. "and my poor manager
and his faithful clerk lying bound and
helpless. 1t is heavy odds, Bernadine ="
There is no question OF odds.
think" Bernadine answered smoothly.
refuse to admit that you are entirely
in my power"
"And as regards terms? really
L QOn Iccl III iCdsl W MANI
my final bow with so little notice de
Grost said. "To tell you the truth. l
have been finding life quite interesting
lately"
Bernadine eyed this prisoner keenly.
Such absolute composure was in itself
disturbing. He was, for the moment,
aware of a slight sensation of uneasi-
ness, which his common sense, how
ever. speedily disposed of.
There are two ways" he announced,
"of dealing with an opponent There
is the old fashioned one-crude, but in
sense eminently satisfactory-which
sends him finally to adorn some other
sphere" -.
Il don't like that one" de Grost in
terrupted. Get on with the alterna-
tive"
The alternative" Bernadine declar-
ed, "is when his capacity for harm can
be destroyed"
That needs a little explanation" de
Crost murmured.
Precisely. For instance. If YOU
were to become absolutely discredited
think that YOU would be effectually
out of my way. Your people do not
forgive" :,
| Then discredIt me, by all means,
de Grost begged. 1T sounds unpleas-
ant, but I do not like your callous ref
erence TO the river
Bernadine gazed at his ancient op
ponent for several moments. After all
what was this but the splendid bravado
of beaten man, who is too clever not
to recognize defeat
"T shall require" he said. your
code. the keys of your safe. which con-
tains great many documents of in
terest TO me. and a free entry into your
house"
De Grost drew bunch Of keys re-
luctantly from his pocket and laid them
upon the desk.
"You will find the code bound in
green morocco leather" he announced.
ION the left-hand side. underneath the
duplicate of a proposed treaty between
Italy and-some other power. Be
tween ourselves, Bernadine, I really ex-
pcct that that is what YOU are after.
Bernadine's eyes glistened
What about the safe conduct into
your house" he asked.
De Grost drew his case from his
pocket and wrote few lines on the
back OF one of his cards.
This will insure you entrance there.
he said. "and access to my study. II
you see my wife. please reaSsure her
as to my absence"
II shall certainly do so.' Bernadine
agreed with faint smile.
IF | may be pardoned for alluding
to a purely personal matter de Grost
continued. what is to become of me-"
You will be bound and gagged in
the same manner as your manager and
his clerk" Bernadine replied, smooth
ly. Il regret the necessity. but you
see, I can afford to run no risks. At
4 o'clock in the morning. you will be
released. 1t must be part of our agree
ment that you allow the man who stays
behind the others for the purpose OF
setting you free. TO depart unmoleSted.
| think | know you better than to
imagine you would be guilty of such
gaucherie as an appeal to the police,
That. unfortunately" de Grost de
clared, with little sigh. is, as YOU
well know. out of the question. You
are too clever for me, Bernadine After
all. shall have to go back to my
farm"
Bernadine opened the door and call
ed softly to one of his men. In less
than FIVE minutes de Grost was bound
hand and foot Bernadine stepped
back and eyed his adversary with an
aiF of ill-disguised triumph.
Il trust, Baron de Grost.' he said.
that you will be as comfortable as pos
sible, under the circumstance"
De Grost lay quite still. He was
powerless to move or speak
Immediately" Bernadine continued.
Il have presented myself at your house.
verified your safe conduct, and helped
myself to certain papers which am
exceedingly anxious to obtain" he went
on, Il shall telephone here to the man
whom l leave in charge and you will
be set at liberty in due course. If, for
any reason, | meet with treachery and
! do not telephone, you will join Mr..
Greening and his young companion in
Ia little-shall we call it aquatic recre-
alton? l wish you pleasant hour and
success in the future, baron-as a
farmer"
Bernadine Withdrew and whispered
his orders to his men. Soon the cleo
trio light was turned out and the place
was in darkness. The front door was
opened and closed; the group of con-
federates upon the pavement lit Gig
i