The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-05-30
THE POOL Of FLAME

CONTINUED from First Page)
mans rlgnu TO De reasonable
And now I'm at your service. mon
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 incisive1y, ito play blind
mans buff"
Am l what?" asked O'Rourke, star
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per-
haps I fail to follow ye."
Il mean," explained the vicomte pa
tiently. 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 be free to open
that?"
! "As soon as you are at -sea-away
from France, Monsieur"
/ O'Rourke considered the envelope
Idoubtfully. From you. monsieur-from
the Government OF France, which you
represent" he said at length. yes;
l will accept such commission.
France" he averred simply, knows
me; 1t 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 accept?'
"One moment-a dozen questions,
by your leave. When must
start?"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide, at ten minutes tt
eight"
And where will be going?"
First to Paris; thence to Havrei
thence, by the first available steamer
to New York; finally, it may be t.
}, Venezuela, monsieur"
Expenses? ?"
Il will myself furnish you with funds
sufficient to finance you as far a:
New York. There our consul-genera
will provide you with what more yo,
may require. 1t is essential that your
connection with this affair shall bt
kept secret; should you draw on the
government in this country, 1t would
expose you to grave suspicious, per
haps to danger"
Il understand that" assented the
Irishman. But to obviate all danger
Of mistake, would 1t not be we'll t.
have one of your trusted agents NEE
with whatever We figure l might re
quire? IT'S barely possible your con
sul-general might not recognize me il
New York. Why should he? l neve
heard his name, even."
Des Trebes meditated this briefly
ut shall be as you desire, monsieur. l
shall be arranged as you suggest"
Finally, then, what Is to be N.
recompense?"
THAT must depend. I 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
otis enough" said O'Rourke with
sigh; II accept"
The Frenchman rose, Offering hin
the envelope. You must pledge your
self. monsieur. not to break these seal
until you are at sea-"
"Absolutely-of course" O'Rourk
took the packet, weighed it curiousl.
in his hand and scrutinized the seals
He remarked that they were yet sof
and fresh; the wax had been hot with
in the half hour.
/ 81 will do myself the honor of meet
ing you at the train to see you off. mon
! sieur," said Des Trebes. cat that time
also, will provide you with the fund
you require"
Thank ye"
Their hands met.
= Good night, Monsieur O'Rourke."
Good night. :"
Half way to the door, Des Treble
paused. "Oh, by the way" he ex
claimed carelessly, Il believe you ar,
a friend of my old schoo1-fellow, Cham
, bret-mon cher Adolph?'
"Tis So" assented the Irishmal
warmly. THE best of men-Cham
} | BRETT
odd" commented the vicomte
only this afternoon l was thinking
of him, wondering what had becom,
, of the man.
1.-THE last 1 heard of him, he was ii
Algeria, monsieur-with some French
force in the desert"
Thank you :" On the roin
: of leaving the vicomte snapped hi
! teeth on a second Good night" ant
swore beneath his breath.
ORourke, surprised, stared. TIL,
J, Frenchman was standing stiffly at at
tention, as If alarmed. His pallor was
If possible, increased, nvid-his close
ly shaven beard showing blue black OF
his hpavv ioUIa md