The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-05-30

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crossed, thin white fingers interlac.
ing. black eyes narrowing. regarded
the freshman thoughtfully for mo.
mcnt. Abruptly he sat up and re
moved from an inner pocket long
thin white envelope, thrice sealed with
red wax and innocent of any super
scriptior whatever.
Are you prepared. monsieur" he
demanded incisiyely, TO play blind
mans buzz"
Am what" asked O'Rourke, star.
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per
haps | fail to follow ye."
u mean" explained the yicomte Pa
tiently, that have to offer you a
commission to act under sealed or
dcrs'-ho tapped the envelope-"the
orders contained herein"
And when would | be free to open
that?"
AS soon as you are al sea-away
from France. Monsieur"
| O'Rourke considered the envelope
doubtfully. From you. monsleur-from
the Government Of France. which you
represent" he said at length, yes;
| | VIII accept such commission
France" he ayerred simply, knows
me; II wouldn't be asking me to do
anything a gentleman shouldn't"
You may feel assured OF that"
agreed Des Trebes grayely. Indeed |
venture to assert you will find this
let us say-adyenture much to your
| liking. Then you accept?"
one moment-a dozen questions,
by your leave. When must |
start7"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide, at ten minutes to
eight"
And where will be going?"
First to Paris; thence to Havre;
thence. by the first available steamer,
to New York; finally. II may be to
Venezuela. monsieur"
Expenses"
| Il VIII myself furnish you with funds
sufficient 10 finance you as far as
New York. There our consul.general
will provide you with what more you
may require II Is essential that your
connection with this affair shall be
kept secret should you draw on the
government In this country. II would
expose you to grave suspicious. per.
haps to danger"
Il understand that" assented the
Irishman. But to obyiate all danger
| OF mistake, would II not be well to
have one OF your trusted agents meet
me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever ye figure | might re.
Guire? IT'S barely possible your con.
sul-seneral might not recognize me in
| New York. Why should he? never
heard his name. even"
Des Trebes medtated this briefly.
1T shall be as you desire, monsieur. 1t
shall be arranged as you suggest"
Finally, then. what is TO be my
recompense?"
That must depend. | am authorized
to assure you that in no case will
yon receive less than twenty Ave thou.
sand francs: in event of successful
termination OF your mission, the re-
ward will be doubled"
TITS enough" said O'Rourke with a
sigh; 81 accept"
The FreDchman rose. Offering him
the envelope. you must pledge your.
self, monsieur. not to break these seals
until you are at scar"
"Absolutely--of course" ORourke
took the packet, weighed 1t curlously
In bis hand and scrutinized the seals.
He remarked that they were yet soft
and fresh; the wax had been hot with
In the half hour.
Il VIII do myself the honor of meet.
ing you at the train to see you off, 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'Rourke."
| Good night. :"
Half way TO the door. Des Trebes
paused. "Oh. by the way" he ex.
claimed carelessly, Il believe you arc
a friend OF my old school.fellow, Cham.
bret--mon cher Adolph?"
"'Tis So" assented the freshman
warmly. The best of men-Cham
| brett"
odd" commented the vlcomte:
only this afternoon was thinking
of him. wondering what had become
| of the man"
The last heard OF him, he was In
Algeria. monsieur-wlth some French
force In the desert"
Thank you :" On the point
of leaving the vicomte snapped his
teeth on a second Good night" and
swore beneath his breath.
o'Rourke. surprised, stared. The
Frencnman was standing stiffly at at
tention. as II alarmed. His pallor was,
II possible. increased. livid-hls close
ly shaven beard showing blue-black on
his heavy fowls and prominent chin