The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-05-08
CHAPTER XXI.
A Man of No Principle.

Monsieur Chatelard's disappearance
was as complete as though he had
dropped of the earth. The sheriff,
with his warrant in his pocket. hid his
chagrin behind the sugar and -four
barrels whose sale occupied his
time when he wasn't losing male
factors. Chamberlain, having once
freed his mind to the grave-like Hand,
maintained absolute silence on the
subject so far as the audience at the
old red house was concerned. But he
went into consultation with Aleck, and
together they laid a network of police.
inspection about lion and Charlesport
1T won't do any good" grumbled
Chamberlain. Wen have TO catch
him and choke him with our own
hands, II 1t ever gets done"
Nevertheless. they left nothing to
chance. Telegraph and telephone were
brought into ,reQuisition, and within
Ttwenty.rUur hours after The disappear
ance every station on the railroad. as
well as every village along the coast.
was warned TO arrest the fugitive II he
came that way. Mr. Chamberlain took
the white motor and went of on long.
mysterious journeys. coming back only
TO go into secret conclave with Aleck,
or mysteriously TO rush of again.
Aleck Van Camp stayed at home.
keeping a dog-watch on Melanie and
Madame Reynier, whether they were
at the Hillside or at the old red house.
Now that the purposes OF the French.
man had been made clear, and since
he was still at large. the world was no
safe place for unattended women
Aleck pondered deeply over the situa-
ton.
is your amiable cousins henchman
man to be scared of by our recent
little encounter, do you think? he asR.
ed Of Melanie.
She considered He might be
scared, easily enough. But know
we'll that he has a contempt for the
usual machinery OF the law. He has
evaded IT so many times that he thinks
IL an easy matter"
Aleck smiled whimsically. II don't
wonder at that. II he has had many
experiences like the last"
He boasts that he can bride any
body"
All, so. But how much rope would
the duke give him, do you think, oD.a
pinch?"
All the rope he cares to take.
stephens protection is all powerful
in krolvetZ and elsewhere Chatelard
depends, as | have said, on his wits
But there must be some limit 10
the dukes stretch OF conscience!"
Melanie's eyes took on their far
away look. Perhaps there is" she
said at last, but who can guess
where that limit is? Besides, all he !.
asks of his henchmen is results. He
never inquiries as TO methods"
We'll, what do you thing is the
exact result Duke Stephen wants. in
this case?"
He wants me either to return TO
Krolyetz and marry his brother, or
-"
Melanie's hesitation was prolonged.
"Or-what?"
"Or TO disappear so completely that
there will be no question of my re-
turn. You see, it's a peculiar case.
u ! marry without his consent"
Which you are about to do" cut
in AlecS.
Il simply forfeit my estates and
they go into the public treasury,
where they will be strictly accounted
for But If l marry Lorenzo"
Which is impossible"
Then the money goes into the
family. of course. as my dot. Or
or, II | should die-in that caa.
stephen inherits the money. And
there Is no doubt but that Stephen
needs money"
To Be Continued.