The Lamar register., 1912-01-31
ILLUSTRAnONS N
BLLSWCREHYOUNC

mans burr"
Am I whatf'' asked o'Rourke. star
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per-
haps I fail to follow ys."
II mean" explained the vicomte pa
dently. that l have to offer you q
commission to act under sealed or
ders"-hs tapped the envelope-"the
orders contained herein"
and when would BE- free to open
thatf"
As soon - you are At sea-away
from France. Monsieur
ORourks considered the envelope
doubtfully. From you. monsieur-from
the Government of France. which you
represent" he said at length. yes;
I will accept such q commission.
France" he averred simply. Knows
me; II wouldn't be asking me to do
anything . gentleman shouldn't"
you may feel assured Of that"
agreed Des Trebes gravely. Indeed. I
venture to assert you will ind this
let Us say-adventurs much to your
liking. Then you acceptr
"Ons moment-a dozen questions.
By your leave. >. When must
startf
Tomorrow morning By the Cote
d'Asur Rapide. at ten minutes to
eight"
And where will be goins?"
First to Paris: thence to Havre;
thence. BY the nrst available steamer.
to New York; finally. It may be to
Venezuela, monsieur"
"Expensesf
II will myself furnish you with funds
sunicient to finance you as far a.
New York. There our consul-general
will provide you with what more you
may require. II IL 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"
II understand that" assented the
Irishman. But to obviate all danger
of mistake. would It not be well to
have one Of your trusted agents meet
me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever ye figure I might re-
quirsi It's barely possible your con-
sul-gsneral might not recognize me In
New York. Why should hsf never
heard his name. even"
Des Trebss meditated this briefly.
TT shall be as you desire. monsieur. II
shall be arranged as you suggest"
Finally, then, what II to be my
Fscompenssf"
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 q successful
termination of your mission. the re-
ward will be doubled"
"'Tis enough" said O'Rourke with .
sigh; Il accept"
Tho 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 1t curiously
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.
II will do myself the honor Of meet
ing you at the train to see you on. 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'Rourks!"
Good night.
Half way to the door. Des Trebef
paused. "oh. by the way" he ex
claimed carelessly, Il believe you arr
friend Of my old schoolfellow. Cham
bret-mon cher Adolphf"
"-Tis 60" assented the Irishmar
warmly. THE best of msn-Cham
brett"
odd" commented the vicomts;
"only this afternoon was thinking
of him. wondering what had become
Of the man."
The last I heard of him, he was Ii
Algeria, monsieur-with some French
force in the desert"
Thank you :" On tho poin
Of leaving the vicomts snapped hi
teeth on . second Good night" ant
swors beneath bis breath.
ORourke. surprised, stared. IN
Frenchman was standing stiRly at AT
tsntion, - II alarmed. His pallor was
II possible. increased. livid-his close
~ shavsn beard showing blueblack OF
his heavy fowls and prominent chin
His eyes blassd. shifting from the al
,r~> 60 nsPourka