River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-04-04
CHAPTER III.

AS he stepped out of the lift Colonel
O'Rourke remarked light III nlS
room visible through the trahs0h
over the door.
"Tba femme de chambre. ne
thought. sure and the poor tnine ;
still busy trying to clear up.
To the contrary. he found the ooOl
fast ''Tfs careless she was 10 ieaVe
the upht on" he observed. fitting DIS
key In the lock.
II thoughtless in that one way the
woman had fulfilled the letter Oh nei
word in the other. 1t was with com
Drehensive relief (since he anticipated
a GALLERY that he found the room onco
again presentabe.
But one thing surprised him; ana
more surprising still was the Fact tnaI
MS ordinarily Indifferent eye shoulu
have detected it at the first glance
tie had indeed hardly entered before
he became aware of square OF "hlte
paper tucked in the corner OF the Du-
reau mirror.
1.-THE divvle. now!" he greeted 1t.
That's curious. Could one Vi
me many admirers have brlbed the
femme de chambre to bring a note TO
me?" He chuckled. holding to the
light q much soiled envelope, grlmy
with the marks of many fingers. plas-
tered with stamps and black with
hostage marks and substitute ad-
dresses, having evidently been Tor
warded over half the world before II
reached the addresses: who was'
In a bold hand. Colonel Terence
O'Rourke."
He whistled low over this, examin-
ing IT intently, infinitely less concern
cd with it's contents than with the
manner by which it had reached MIN.
The Arst postmark seemed to be that
Of Rangoon, the original address. the
Cercle Militaire, his club in Paris.
Thence, apparently, it had sought him
in Galway, ireland, Dublin. Paris again,
and finally-after half dozen otner
addresses-"C. of Nine. O'Rourke. Ho-
tel Carlton, London" The London
postmark was indecipherable. ;.
He found himself trembling violent
". BY one hand alone could this
have reached him, since the post had
not brought it to Monte Carlo. :.
He recalled that woman's voice which
had so stirred him, the woman OF the
Casino whose bearing had seemed to
him so familiar.
Some one tapped on the door; ne
Bmothered a curse of annoyance, and
went to answer, thrusting the letter
Into his pocket.
A page announced Monsieur lie
Comte des Trebes.
Show the gentleman up" snapped
O'Rourke. He was about to add, 'in
five minutes" when Des Trebes him
self appeared.
Anticipating that message, mon
neur," be said, moving into view
from one side of the door, Il took the
liberty of accompanying this boy.
am late. | fear"
O'Rourke forced a nod and smile of
welcome. mot to my knowledge" said
he.
The Frenchman consulted his watch.
"Ten minutes late, monsieur; it is ten
past midnight"
Then" said O'Rourke, the top o.
the morning to We. Enter, monsieur"
He stood aside, closing the door be-
him his guest. ''Tis no matter; if
thought ye punctual. it's so We are
to all intents and purposes. Il
A chair, monsieur" He established
Des Trebes by a window. And a Gig
arctic? A drop to drink?
AS We will. And since
it's to talk secret business that we're
here-would We like the door locked?"
THAT is hardly essential" Des Ire
bes reviewed his surroundings with |
swift. searching glance. I'VE are at
least secure from interruption; one
could ask little more"
True for ye," laughed O'Rourke. He |
moved toward the alcove. Nov first |
of all I'm to submit proofs Of me iden-
tity, believe" he added, intending to
dig out of his trunk dispatch-box
containing his passports and other pa
pers of a private nature.
But Des Trebes had changed his
mind. THAT is unnecessary, mon
sieur. Your very willingness is suf1-
cient proof | have your word and
am content"
That's the way of doing business
ahat | like" assented O'Rourke heart |
lily. warming a little to the man as be
turned back a chair facing the vi
comte. Besides. | quarrel with no |
mans right to be reasonable. Il
And now I'm at your service, mon
eieur."
Des Trebes, lounging back. knees
crossed. thin white fingers interlac- |
ing. black eyes narrowing, regarded
the freshman 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 yon prepared. monsieur" he
demanded incisiyely. TO play blind
mans buff?"
Am | what?" asked o'Rcurks. star !