Evening star., 1912-09-11
and drew himself up.
Thanks. It's very good Of you, but
PARIS, FRANCE.

and drew himself up.
Thanks. It's very good OF you, but
l can't accept, really
Even for her sake?'
! Even if didn't know you so WELL. I'd
| resent such a proposal
Nonsense, Don't be foolish Suppose
we say nothing further about it for the
time being. Perhaps you viii feel diff
After a pause Dreux said .'These
pageants are a frightful drain on the
| antique business. I'm afraid / shall have
| to drop out next season. / scarcely know
what to do
why don't you marry?" Blake in
quired.
Marry Dreux smiled whimsically.
That lumber king had a daughter, but
, she was freckled."
''Felicite Delord isn't frecked"
What do you know about Felicite?"
"All there is 10 know. believe. Enough,
at any rate, to realize that you ought to
marry her. She is willing. of course?'
"Of course"
Then why don't you do it?"
THE very fact that people-well. that
| know | ought to-, perhaps. Then. too,
there's Myra Nell"
1T seems to me you owe something to
Feficite"
MY dear boy. you don't talk like a.
Southern gentleman Blake smiled
Nevertheless, Miss Delord is a delight
full little person and you can make her
happy. Nobody knows Of your relations
with her."
You know" said the bachelor. stif1y.
and therefore others must know. hence
1t is quite impossible. I'd prefer not to
discuss it IL you don't mind"
! Certainly. / want you to keep that
| loan in mind, however"
'Ah,' said Bernie, suddenly, as If seiz-
ing with relief on a chance to end the
discussion. Il think I heard some one
in the outer Office"
ITO be sure" exclaimed Blake. That
must be Donnelly. 1 had an appointment
| with him here which I'd forgotten all
about"
.. THE chief of police? He's quite a
friend Of yours
Yes, We met while / was sheriff He's
| remarkably able officer"
We'll. then. I'll be going said Bernie.
rising.
mo. stay and meet him." Blake rose
to greet tall. angular man OF about
Dreux's age, who came in without knock
ing. Chief Donnelly had an impassive
| face, into which was set a pair of those
peculiar, smoky-blue eyes which have
acknowledged his Introduction to Bernie
quietly and measured the little man Curl
ously.
"Mr. Dreux is a friend of mine. and
he was anxious to meet you. so l asked
him to stay" Norvin explained
"If I'm not intruding," Bernie said.
| 'Oh. there's nothing much on my
| mind" the chief declared I've come in
for some information which 1 don't be-
| lieve Blake can give me- To Norvin he
| said, Il remembered hearing that you'd
been to Italy, SO 1 thought you might
help me out"
| Mr.. Dreux sat back eliminated himself
from the conversation in his own effec-
| tive manner. and regarded the officer as
| q mouse might gaze upon lion.
Yes, but that was five years ago.
Norvin replied.
"All the better. Were you ever in
Sicily?''
Blake started. The sudden mention of
Sicily was like touch upon an exposed
nerve.
Il was in Sicily twice." he said. slowly.
Then, perhaps you can help me after
all. I recalled some sort Of experience
you had over there with the Malta and
took chance"
The chief drew from his pocket a note
book which he consulted. did you ever
hear Of Sicilian named-Narcone! Clan
Narcone!' He looked up, to see that his
friends face had gone colorless.
Blake nodded silently.
ALSO a chap named = some noble
mani He turned again to his memo
randum book.
"Martel Savigno. Count of Martinello."
Norvin supplied in a strained, breathless
voice.
That's him. Why, you must know all
about this affair."
(To be continued tomorrow)