Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-03-26

l 10 IdlT WeutueT uOTSSkuuus Uut iONct
the tingIe OF the wind rushing through
his hair. and the two cantered dowr
the clear sandy road.
Fitzgerald was light hearted and
boyish. Breitmann was grave and dig
niied. but In the eyes Of each there
was a force the girl had encountered
so seldom as to forget its being. Brett
mann. in his capacity as secretary
was not so often In her company ai
Fitzgerald: nevertheless she wai
subtly attracted toward him. Wher
he was OF the mini he could invent
happy compliment with q felicity
no less facile than Fitzgerald And
the puzzing thing Of It all was. both
men she knew from their histories
had never been ornaments at garden
parties where compliments are current
coin. She liked Fitzgerald. but she
admired Bre,tmann. differentiation
which she Tad no inclination to 70
solve into tirs, principles. That Brett
mann was secretary for hire drew
no barrier In her mind. She had
known many gentlemen Of fine
families who had served In like situa'
tions. There were no social disdnc
tions. On the other hand. she nevel
felt wholly comfortable with Brett
mann. There was not the least mis-
trust In this feeling. 1t was rather
because she instinctively felt that be
was above his occupation. 10 sum II
up briefly. Breitmann was difficult to
understand and Fitzgerald wasn't.
Fitzgerald had an idea; boldly put
It was a grave suspicion. Not once
had he forgotten the man In the chin
ney. Once the finger had pointed at
Breitmann or some one with whom
he was in understanding. This had
proved to be groundless. But he kept
turning over the incident and inspect
ing II from all sides. There were
others a.treasure hunting; persons un
known: and man might easily be-
come desperate In the pursuit Of 2,OOO.'
600 francs. almost half million OF
American money. more. for some OF
these coins would be rare. He had
thoroughly searched the ground out
side the cellar window. but the sea
gravel held Its secret with tenacity
as battling as the mother sea herself.
There was new under groom. or
rather there had been. BE had left,
and where he had gone no one knew.
Fitzgerald dismissed the thought OF
him; at the most be could have been
out an accomplice. one to unlock the
cellar window.
While Breitmann fingered near
Laura, Offering what signs Of admira.
ton he dared. and. while the admiral
chatted to his country neighbors who
were gathered round the tea table.
Fitzgerald and NJ. Ferraud were brac-
ed against the terrace wall. q few
yards farther on. and exchanged views
on various peoples.
America IL wonderful country"
said NJ. Ferraud. when they had ex-
hausted half dozen topics. He spread
out his hands. Frenchman wise.
so 1t is." Fitzgerald threw away
bis cigarette and quietly caught the
other by the wrist and turned the
palm.
M. Ferraud looked into his face with
an astonishment on bis own. most
genuine. But he did not struggle.
"Why do you do that"
~ am curious. Mr.. Ferraud. when
see hand like this. Would you mind
letting me zee the otherT
mot In the least" NJ. Ferraud oner.
ed the other hand.
Fitzgerald let 60. what was your
objectT'
What object"
Fitzgerald lowered bis voice. "What
was your object in digging holes In
yonder chimney? Did you know what
was there7 And what do you propose
to do now?"
NJ. Ferraud coolly took OF his spec.
tacles and polished the lenses. 1t need
ed but moment to adjust them.
What are you talking abont?"
you are really N. Ferraud" said
the young man coldly.
The Frenchman produced wallet
and took out q letter. 1t was written
by the president Of France, introducing
VI. Ferraud to the ambassador at Wash.
ington. Next. there was passport.
and far more important than either OF
these was the Legion Of Honor. "Yes.
l am Anatole Ferraud."
THAT Is all desire to know"
"Shal we return to the ladies| ask.
ed VI. Ferraud. restoring bis treasures.
Since there Is nothing more to be
said at present. II seems strange to
ME that foseign politics should find Its
way here"
Politics? am only q butterfly
hunter"
There are varieties. But you are
the man. ! shall find out!"
Possibly" returned N. Ferraud
thinking hard.
II give you fair warning that II
anything Is missing
"Oh. Mr.. Fitzgeraldw
81 shall know where to look for It."
with smile which had no humor In 1t.
"Why not denounce me nowT
would 1t serve your purpose"
mo" with deeper gravity. TT would
be a great disaster: how great l can.
not tell you"
"Then. ] shall say nothing"
About what?' dryly. even whim.
slcally.
About your being q secret agent
from France" Y
This time NJ. Ferraud's glance proved
that he was truly startled. Only three
times In his career had his second life
been questioned or suspected. Should
be trust this young man? With that
swift unerring instinct which makes
the perfect student Of character. be
said. "You will do me a great favor
not to impart this suspicion to any one
else"
Suspicion
1T Is true: am \ secret AGENT
and he said 1t proudly.
"You wish harm to none hereT
mo. am here for the very purpose
Of saving you all from heartaches and
misfortune and dIslllusion. And had
l set to work earlier l should have &C.
complished all this without a single one