The Bourbon news., 1912-01-09

swore beneath his breath.
O'Rourke, surprised, rtared. The
Frenchman was standing stiffly at at
tention, as if alarmed. His pallor was,
il possible, increased, livid-his close
ly shaven beard showing blue-black on
his heavy jowls and prominent chin.
His eyes blazed, shifting from the al
cove to O'Rourke.
Monsieur" he demanded harshly,
what does this insult mean?"
''Mean?" iterated O'Rourke. Insult?
Faith, We have me there"
Speechless with rage, Des Trebes ges-
tured violently toward the alcove; and
O'Rourke became aware that the cur
tains were shaking-wavering as
though draught stirred them. But
there was no draught. And beneath
their edge he saw two feet-two small,
bewitching feet in the daintiest and
most absurd of evening slippers, with
an inch or so of silken stockings show
ing above each.
Des Trebes' eyes, filled with an ex-
preston unspeakab1y offensive. met
the Irishman's blank, wondering gaze.
1T is, no doubt" the Frenchman stam-
mered, sanctioned by your code to
have me spied upon by the partner Of
your liaisons"
But, monsieur"
Il compliment the lady upon the
smallness of her feet, as well as upon
ankles so charming that l cannot bring
myself to leave without a glimpse of
their mistress features"
Des Trebes moved toward the al
cove. Thunderstruck, O'Rourke rap
ped out stupefied oath, then in a
stride forestalled the man. With him
it was as if suddenly a circuit had
closed in his intelligence, establishing
a definite connection between the three
now four-most mystifying incidents
of the evening
LESS haste, monsieur" he coun-
seled in voice of ice His hand fell
with almost paralyzing force upon the
others wrist as he sought to grasp
the curtain, and swung him roughly
back. Yourself will never know who's
there-whoever the lady may be. &.
All, but no, monsieur!"
Maddened beyond prudence, Des
Trebes had struck at his face
O'Rourke warded off the blow and in
what seemed the same movement
whirled the man round by his captive
wrist and caught the other arm from
the back. The briefest of struggles en-
sued. The Frenchman, taken at a COM
plete disadvantage, was for all his re-
sistance hustled to the door and
thrown through it before he fairly COM
pretended what was happening.
Free at length, If on all fours, he
scrambled to his feet to find O'Rourke
had shut the door behind him, calmly
awaiting the next move.
Haven't We had enough" demand
ed the Irishman as the vicomte, blind
ed with passion, seemed about to re-
new the attack. Cor are We wishfuf
to be going downstairs in the same
fashion,"
Des Trebes drew back, snarling.
"You dog" he cried Then abrupt
ly, by an admirable effort, he Gained
himself surprisingly. drawing himself
up with considerable dignity and throt-
tling his temper as he quietly adjust
ed the disorder of his clothing. Only
in his eyes, black as sloes and small,
did there remain any trace Of his ma
lignant and unquenchable hatred.
81 am unfortunately" he sneered,
incapable of participating in such
brawls as you prefer. Colonel O'Rourke.
But 1 am not content. l. warn
you My rank prevents me from
Furnishing you personally; am obliged
to fight gentlemen only"
O'Rourke laughed openly.
But l advise you to leave Monte
Carlo before morning. Should you re-
main, or should you come within my
neighborhood another time-at what
ever time-I will kill you as would a
rabid cur-or cause you to be shot"
There's always the towards al
tentative" returned the Irishman.
But We mustn't forget ye've only the
one leg to stand upon in society-your
notoriety as a duelist. And l shall
take steps to see that We fight me be-
fore sunset. Else shall all Europe
know ye for a coward"
Behind the vicOmte the lift shot up,
paused, and discharged single pas.
senger AS swiftly the cage disap
peared.
Out of the corner of his eye,
O'Rourke recognized the newcomer as
an old acquaintance, and his heart
swelled with gratitude while smile
of rare pleasure shaped itself upon
his lips. He had now the Frenchman
absolutely at his mercy.
Captain Won Einem," he said
quickly, 'by your leave, a moment of
your time"
The man paused stiffly, with the
sQuare-set and erect poise of an officer
of the German army. ''At your service,
Colonel O'Rourke," he said in impec-
cable French.
But the IriShman had returned undi-