Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1912-07-19


whilst he listened-nor lost q point
and replied to the secretary.
The latter regretted excessively
that his excellency was absent: his
excellency would undoubtedly be DESC
lated when he returned and found he
had missed Colonel O'Rourke.
He'll be back soon. monsieur"
Alas, no." with a shrug. He is
en- route for Paris-possibiy arrived
by this moment-on matters OF state"
And he left?"
Several days since, monsieur"
You know nothing of this package,
indorsed with the name of Monsieur
Chambret?"
To the contrary: the secretary knew
it very well. He could place his hand
upon 1t at any moment-monsieur
would appreciate that he burst not
surrender 1t without the Governors
authority.
O'Rourke drew long sigh OF relief
and was abruptly conscious of fatigue
and desire to get away and rest.
I'm obliged to ye," he said slowly.
rising "Ill have to wait until the
Governor returns, l presume.
By the way. are ye be any chance ac-
quainted with Monsieur le Vicomte
des Trebes?"
But certainly; the vicomte was
great friend of his excellency's. He
had dined with his excellency some
thing over week since. Just prior to
the latters departure.
And l take it ye have seen nothing
of the gentleman since?"
"On the contrary, monsieur: the vi
comte called here but two days ago"
1t appeared that he had desired some
trifing Information, with which the
secretary had obliged him.
"Ye didn't happen to leave him
alone in this room?"
The secretary. plainly much per-
picked by this odd catechism, ad-
mitted that such had been the case;
the pursuit OF the desired data had
| necessitated his absence from the Gov
| ernor's room for matter of some ten
| minutes.
But ye say We can put your hand
| on this package?"
bul certainly, monsieur.
Would ye mind making sure It's
safe. 'Twould save me deal of
waiting, perhaps"
With alacrity and q smile that de-
| precated his visitors anxiety over so
| trifling matter, the secretary rose,
went to the safe and confidently
enough thrust hand into one of the
nj hn1-
empty. A frown of bewilderment
| clouded the secretary's face. 1T must
| be here" he announced with convic-
| ton. 1T was in plain sight and Ia
| belled with the name Of Monsieur
| Chambret :" He turned. III
Monsieur le Colonel will but return in
half an hour, l undertake then to
show him the packet itself shall by
then have found it--but assuredly!"
"Ye are very courteous, monsieur.
l will return"
This he did--in two hours. The
packet had not been found; the sec
retary, in a hutter Of nerves, confessed
that through some culpable negligence
1t must have been misplaced. An ex-
tended search was even then in
progress. 1t would surely como to
light before evening
| Thank We; l shan't be back" re-
turned O'Rourke grimly; and went
away, downcast for the first time
since the inception Of the adventure.
Faith! and to think l would not be-
lieve the truth when they slapped me
face with it! And all the time, belike.
twas in the vicomte's own pocket. :.
- But he had no vocabulary ade-
quate to the task of expressing his
self-contempt.
Disconsolate, conceiving that he had
proven himself blind, egregious fool,
he plodded with heavy steps and a
hanging head back to his hotel; where
the crowning stroke of the day was
presented to him in the shape of a
note, by the hand of q black Biskri
porter.
O'Rourke. Be hand" he conned the
address. Faith, and what's this?"
III Monsieur lie Colonel O'Rourke
will do Monsieur des Trebes the hon
or Of dining with him, at seven or
seven-thirty this evening, at the Villa
iOrleans. st. Eugene. an arrangement
satisfactory to both himself and Mon
sieur Ie Vicomte may be consummat-
ed.
"R. s. v. P.-The bearer waits"
A trap? A subterfuge? A trick to
throw him off the scent whilst the two
blackguards escaped with their booty? =?
The adventurer frowned darkly over
It, dubious, Then. in flush OF reck-
essness. he seized sheet of paper
from nearby desk, scrawled a
ormal acceptance of the strange invi-
tation, and handed 1t to the Biskri boy.
All to gain. naught to lose" he sum-
med up the state of mind which had
| dictated his RESPONSE. and at six