, 1912-04-11

'"
not unlikely that Breitmann and his
confederate were crossing the noun
tains. perhaps with three or four stur
dy donkevs. their %panniers packed
with precious metal. And the dupp
would go straight to his fellow con
spirators and share his millions. Curl
ous old world.
They saw Evisa at sunset. one Of
the seven glories of the earth. The
little village rests on the side of a
mountain. nearly 5000 feet above the
sea. the sea itself lying miles away to
the west. V shaped between two enor-
nous shafts Of burning granite. Even
the admiral forgot his smoldering
wrath. Had he been given his way.
the admiral would have gone out that
very night with lanterns.
"Folly. To find a given point in an
unknown forest at night-impossible.
Am I not right. Mr.. Cathewe? OF
course. Breitnnnn's man knew Aitone
from his youth. Suppose" continued
NJ. Ferraud. that we spend two days
here?"
"Whatf Give him all the leeway?"
The admiral was amazed that NJ. Fer
rau could suggest such a stupidity.
mo. In the morning we make the
search. II there's nothing there well
return at once"
NJ. Ferraud spoke to the young wo-
man who waited on the table. please
find Carlo. the driver. and bring him
here"
Ten minutes later Carlo came in.
hat in band, curious.
Carlo" began the Frenchman, lean
ing on his elbows, his sharp eyes Dor
ing into the mild brown ones Of the
Corsican, shall not return to Car
ghese tomorrow. but the day after"
Not return tomorrow cried Carlo.
dismayed. "Ah. but the gentleman
does not understand. We are engaged
day after tomorrow to carry a party
to Bonifacio. We have promised. We
must return tomorrow"
Fitzgerald saw the drift and bent
forward. The admiral fumed because
his Italian was an Indifferent article.
But" pursued NJ. Ferraud. I'VE will
pay you 20 francs the day. just the
same"
1--WE are promised Carlo shrugged
and spread his hands. but the glitter
In his q~uestioner's eyes d~is1uieted
him.
whats this apout?' growled the
admiral.
"The man says he must take US back
tomorrow or leave us. as he has prom
ised to return to Ajaccio to carry a
party to Bonifacio." NJ. Ferraud ex-
planned.
Then If we don't go tomorrow 1t
means a week in this forsaken hole?''
1T is possible" NJ. Ferraud turned
to Carlo once more. I'VE will make II
so francs per day"
"Impossibler"
Then you will return tomorrow
without u.s."
Carlos face hardened. But
Come outside with me-" said NJ.
Ferraud in a one which brooked no
further argument.
The two stepped out into the hall.
and when the Frenchman came back
his a was animated.
IN. Ferraud." said the admiral lei.
ly, my daughter has informed me
what passed between you. I must say
that you have taken a deal upon your
self"
IN. Ferraud is right" put in Fitz-
gerald.
you too?'
Yes. l think the time has come for
NJ. Ferraud to offer full explanations"
The butterfly hunter resumed his
chair. ''They will remain or carry us
on to Corte. From there we can take
the train back to Ajaccio. saving a
day and a half. Admiral, l have a
confession to make. 1t will surprise
you, and l offer you my apologies at
once" He paused. He loved mo-
ments like this. when he could resort
to the dramatic in perfect security.
II was the man in the chimney"
The admiral gasped. Laura dropped
her hands to the table. Cathewe sat
back stifiy. Coldfeld stared. Hide
garde shaded her face with the news
paper through which she had been idly
CHANGING.
"Patiencei" as the admiral made as
though to press back his chair. "Mr.
Fitzgerald knew from the beginning.
Is that not true?'
ut is. NJ. Ferraud. Go on"
"Breitmann is the great-grandson Of
Napoleon. BY this time he is travel
Ing Eel some mountain pass with his
Inheritance snug under his hand. You
will ask. Why all these subterfuges,
this lodging In and out? Thus. Could
I have found the secret of the chin
ney-I worked from memory-none Of
us would be here. and one of the
great conspiracies OF the time would
have been nipped in the bud. What