Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1912-05-03

Anu NJ" III at YOUR service, mOH-
sieur."
Des Trebes. Iounging back, knees
crossed. thin white fingers interlac-
ing, black eyes narrowing, regarded
the lrishman thoughtfully for a mo-
ment. Abruptly he sat DIP and re-
moved from an inner pocket a long
thin white envelope. thrice sealed with
red wax and innocent Of any super
scription whatever.
Are you prepared monsieur" he
demanded incisively, ito play blind
mans buff"
Am what?" asked O'Rou@ke, star
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per-
haps ! fail TO follow ye."
i mean," explained the vicomte pa
tiently. that have to offer you a
commission to act under sealed or
ders he tapped the envelope-"th
orders contained herein"
And when would | be fee to open
that?'
AS soon as you are a. sea-away
from France, Monsieur."
O'Rourke considered tne envelone
doubtfully From you, mcnsieur-from
the Government of France. which you
represent" he said at length, ives;
will accept such commission.
France" he averred simply, knows
me; 1t wouldn't be asking me to do
anything gentleman shouldn't"
You may feel assured of that"
agreed Des Trebes gravely, Indeed, |
venture to assert you will find this
let us say-adventure much TO your
liking. Then you accent ?"
one moment-a dozen questions.
Dy your leave. When must
start?"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide. at ten minutes to
eight"
And where will | he going?"
First to Paris; thence to Havre;
thence, by the first available steamer,
to New York; finally, 1t may be to
Venezuela, monsieur"
"Expenses?"
I viii myself furnish you with funds
sufficient to finance you as far as
New York. There our consul.general
will provide you with what more YOU
may require. 1t is essential that YOUR
connection with this affair shall be
kept secret; should you draw on the
government in this country, it would
expose you to grave suspicious. per.
haps to danger"
i understand that" assented the
lrishman. But to obviate All danger
OF mistake, would it not be we'll 10
I've one of your trusted agents meet
me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever We figure | might re.
quire? 'Tis barely possible your con.
sul-general might not recognize me in
New York. Why should he? | never
heard his name. even"
Des Trebes mcditated 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
you receive less than twenty-five thou
sand francs; in event of successful
termination of your mission. the re-
ward will be doubled"
lis enough" said O'Rourke with
sigh; Il accept"
The Frenchman rose. Offering him
the envelope. You must pledge your
self, monsieur, not to break these seals
until you are at sea?~
Absolutely-of coarse" O,Rourke
took the packet. weighed it curiousIv
in his hand and scrtinized the seals
He remarked that they were vet soft
and fresh: the wax aad been hot with.
in the half hour.
Will do myself the honor OF meet,
ing you at the train TO see you off mon.
sieur." said Des Trebes. AT that time
also, viii | provids 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 are
a friend oil my old schooLfellow. Cham.
bret-non cher Adolph?"
tbs So. assented the freshman
warmly. THE best of men-Cham-
brett"
odd commented the vicomte.
only this afternoon was thinking
OF him. wondering what had become
of the man"
This last heard of him. ne was In
Algeria. mGnsieur-wit some French
| force In the desert"
Thank you On the min,
of leaving the vicomte snapped his
teeth OH second Good night" and
swore beneath hrs breath.
o'Rourke. surprised. stared. The
FFenchman WAS standing stiffly at at
tention. as if alarmed His pailor was
ii possible. increased. livid-his close
| IN SlaYc0 heard Shau,fnC lt,,.-, htr.n. =