The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-03-01

1t was as II suddenly a circuit had
closed in his intelligence, establishing
definite connection between the three
now four-most mystifying incidents
of the evening.
Less haste, monsieur" he cOun-
seled in a voice of ice. His hand fell
with almost paralyzlng force upon the
others wrist as he sought to grasp
the curtain, and swung him roughly
back Yourself will never know who's
there-whoeyer the lady may be.
All, but no, monsieur!"
Maddened beyond prudence, Des
| Trebes had struck at his face.
O'Rourke warded off the blow and in
what seemed the same movement
whirled the man round by his captive
wrist and caught the other arm from
the back The briefest of struggles en-
sued. The Frenchman, taken at a COM
plete disadvantage, was for all his re-
slstance hustled to the door and
thrown through it before he fairly com
pretended what was happening.
Free at length, If on all fours. he
scrambled to his feet to find ORourke
had shut the door behind him, calmly
awaiting the next move.
Haven't ye had enough?" demand
ed the lrishman as the vicomte, blind
ed with passion, seemed about to re-
new the attack. "Or are ye wishful
to be going downstairs in the same
fashion,"
Des Trebes drew back. snarling
you dog!" he cried Then abrupt
ly, by an admirable effort, he Gained
himself surprisingly. drawing himself
up with considerable dignity and throt-
Ting his temper as he quietly adjust
ed the disorder of his clothing. Only
in his eyes. black as sloes and small,
did there remain any trace of his ma.
lignant and unquenchable hatred.
Il am unfortunately" he sneered,
incapable of participating in such
brawls as you prefer, Colonel O'Rourke.
But | am not content. warn
you Ny rank prevents me from
Furnishing you personally; am obliged
to dght gentlemen only"
O'Rourke laughed openly.
But | advise you to leave Monte
Carlo before morning. Should you re-
main, or should you come within my
neighborhood another time-at what
ever time-I will kill you as | would a
rabid cur-or cause you to be shot"
There's always the towards al
tentative" returned the Irishman
But ye mustn't forget ye've only the
one leg to stand upon in society-your
notoriety as a duelist And | shall
take steps to see that ye fight me be-
fore sunset. Else shall all Europe
know yo for a coward"
Behind the vicomte the lift shot up,
paused, and discharged a single pas
senger. AS swiftly the cage disap-
peared.
Out of the corner of his eye
O'Rourke recognized the newcomer as
an old acquaintance, and his heart
swelled with gratitude while a smile
of rare pleasure shaped itself upon
his lips He had now the Frenchman
absolutely at his mercy.
Captain Won Einem," he said
quickly, by your leave a moment of
your time"
The man paused stiffly, with the
square-set and erect poise Of an officer
Of the German army. "At your service,
Colonel O'Rourke," he said in impec-
cable French.
But the Irishman had returned undi-
vided attention to Des Trebes. Mon
sieur," he announced. your nose an.
noys me-" And with that he shot out
a hand and seized the offensive mem.
ber between a strong and capable
thumb and forehnger. TT has annoy
ed me-" he explained in parenthesis.