The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-03-01

cts, swiftly but after bungling fasn-
ion. The train, having paused briefly
at Setif che afterwards located the
station by conjecture), began to
move again, was presently In
full laundering fight. Abruptly the
examination of his person-which
was so thorough that it included
the opening of his shirt to as
sure the thieves that he carried moth
ing in the shape of money-belte-
was concluded and the adventurer
was roughly jerked into sitting po-
sition. At the same time his gag was
removed.
He gasped, blinked. coughed, and
rolled resentful eye around the COM
partNent. BE the powers!" he said
huskily; and no more. At first glance
1t became app.rent that he had mis-
calculated the audacity and resource
Of the vicomte and Mr.. Glynn. They
had literally caught him mapping.
The Honorable BERTHE, O'Rourke dis
covered kneeling in the act of turning
the adventurer's travelling gear inside
out; at least, he seemed to be try
ing to do so. Monsieur le Vicomte
des Trebes on the contrary was seat
ed at ease, facing O'Rourke, revolver
on the cushion beside I'm, his in
terest concentrated not upon his cap
tive, upon his collaboration. O'Rourke
remarked an expression on the French
mans face, a curious compound of
eagerness, triumph and apprehension.
Without noting the Irishman's ejec-
ulation, he addressed Glynn: Find
it,"
"No-worse luck!" grumbled the
Englishman. rising and kicking the
handbag savagely. There isn't so
much as a scrap of paper anywhere
about him."
The vicomte favored O'Rourke with
vicious glance, muttering something
about a thousand devils. The Irish
man, quick to grasp the situation and
inwardly exulting, acknowledged Des
Trebes' attention with a winning
smile.
Good evening"" he said, and nodded
amiably.
"Oh. shut up!" snapped the Honor
able BERTHE. unhandsomely where's
that letter."
O'Rourke chuckled. "Ye're a hard
loser, me bright young friend" he
commented. Il though Englishmen
always played the game as it laid
Glynn grunted and flushed. shame
faced. but the Frenchman cut short
the retort on his lips by curt repe-
tition of Glynn's own question:
"Where's that letter, monsieur"
O'Rourke glanced at him languidly,
yawned, and smiled an exasperating
strictly personal smile. Then sig
nificantly he clinked the handouts un-
til they rang on wrist and ankle.
Answer mel" snarled the vicomte,
picking up his revolver.
"Divvle a word" observed O'Rourke,
will We get from me II We shoot me
dead, monsieur lie vicomte. Put down
your pistol and be sensible"
Des Trebes' face darkened, suf.
fused with the blood Of his rage. Yet
the man asserted that admirable con-
troll of self which he was able to EN-.
ploy when 1t suited his purposes. Evil
IDENTIFY. too, he recognized the cold
common-sense of the wanderers re.
mark. At all events he put aside the
weapon.
"Where's the letter." he demanded
again, more Practically.
Again O'Rourke yawned with NAL
ice prepense, yawned deliberately and
exhaustively and dispassionately
mot a word" he volunteered at
length. until ye loose me hands and
feet. Which," he added, I'VE need not
hesitate to do, for I'll not strike back
unless ye crowd me-"
The vicomte scowled darkly for a
moment, plainly dubious. Then pre-
sumably upon the consideration that
he could trust O'Rourke's word and
that most assuredly he would learn
nothing from him until his request
was compiled with, he growled an or
der to Glynn to unlock and remove
the handouts. The Englishman obey
ed.
Free. O'Rourke stretched himself
rubbed his wrists. and observed q
collection of his pocket hardware ly
ing upon the seat by aim. thrown
aside by Glynn in his disgust at NOT
finding what he sought.
"Ye'll not be wanting to deprive
me Of these few tribes. me gay high
waymen, I'm thinking?" he inquired
placidly of the pair. III we've no OBJ
lection I'll make so free as to take
back me own"
Take what you want" returned
Des Trebes In an ugly tone. But
l give you three minutes to tell me
where you have put that letter."
Indeed? Your courtesy overpowers
me-" The Irishman took up his watch
and calmly made a note of the hour
hard upon three In the morning; then
with easy nonchalance slowed It away
with the rest of the miscellaneous col
lection-the knives. coins and keys
his wallet, tickets and SO forth.
"Your time" the voice of the vi
comte interrupted this occupation, us
up." He fingered his revolver "Where