The Washington herald., 1912-09-22

sort OF thing before, Peter added,
blandly.
Mr.. Philip Burr took cigar from
his case and lit it. At motion of his
hand, one of the company passed the
box to his two guests.
You're not counting upon visit
from the police, or anything of that sort,
| hope?" Mr. Philip Burr asked.
Sogrange shook his head
Certainly not" he replied. Il may
say that much Of the earlier portion of
my life was spent in frustrating the we'll
meant but impossible schemes OF that
body of men"
IF only we had a little more time"
Mr.. Burr declared, 1t seems to me l
should like to make the acquaintance
of you two gentlemen"
"The matter is entirely in your own
hands," Peter reminded him. I'VE ars
in no hurry"
Mr.. Burr smiled genially.
You make me think better of hu-
manity." he confessed. "A month ago
We had a man here-got him along
somehow or another-and l had to tell
him that he was up against it like you
two are My! the fuss he made, Kind
of saddened me to think man should
be such a coward"
Some people like thai" Sogrange re-
marked: "By-the-bye, Mr.. Burr, you'll
pardon my curiosity. Whom have we to
thank for our introduction here to-
night"
Z don't know as there's any particu-
lar harm in telling you," Mr.. Burr fe-
Piled
Nor any particular good" a man
who was standing by his side interrupt
ed. Say, Phil, you drag these things
out too much. Are there any questions
you've got to ask 'em, or any property
to collect?"
Nothing of the sort" Mr.. Burr ad-
nitted.
Then let the gang get to work." the
other declared
The two men were suddenly conscious
that they were being surrounded. Peters
hand stole on to the butt OF his revolver.
Sogrange rose slowly 10 MS feet, His
hands were thrust out in front o. him
with the thumbs down. The four fingers
of each hand flashed for a minute
through the air. Mr.. Philip Burr lost
all his self-control.
Say, where the devil did you learn
that trick" he cried.
Sogrange laukhed scornfully.
"TrickH' he exclaimed. Philip Burr,
you are unworthy of your position l
am the Marquis de Sogrange, and my
friend here is the Baron de Gros;."
Mr. Philip Burr had no words. His
cigar had dropped onto the carpet. He
was simply staring.
If you need proof" Sogrange con-
tinued, further than any l have given
you, have IN my pocket, at the present
moment. a letter, signed BY you YOUR
sell, pleading for formal reinstatement.
This is how you would qualify for X!
You make use OF your power TO run a
common decoy house. 10 do away with
men ior money. What fool gave you
our names. pray?' =.
Mr.. Philip Burr was only the wreck
OF man. He could not even control
his voice.
1t was some German or Belgian no.
bleman," he faltered- He brought u5
excellent letters, and he made large
contribution. 1t was the Count Won
Hern."
The anger OF Sogrange seemed sud
denly TO fade away He threw himself
into a chair by the side OF his compan-
ion.
Ny dear Baron" he exclaimed. "Ber-
nadine has scored, indeed. Your friend
has a sense OF humor which oveTwhe!mS
me. Imagine it. He has delivered the
two heads of ou- great society into the
hands OF one OF its cast-off branches!
Bernadlne IS a genius, indeed.
Mr.. Philip Burr began slowly to re-
cover himself He waved his hand.
Nine out OF the twelve men left the
room.
Marquis" he said. "for ten years
there has been no one | have desired
to meet so much as you. | came 10
Europe but YOU declined to receive me.
| know very well we can't keep our
end up like you over there. because we
haven't politics and that sort OF things
to play with. but we've done our best.
We've encouraged only criminology OF
the highest order We've tried all We
can to keep the profession select. The
iail-bird. pure and simple, we have cast
out. The men who have suffered at
our hands have been men who have met
with their deserts.
What about u.s." Peter demanded.
TT seems to me that you had most un-
pleasant plans for our future"
Philip Burr held up his hands.
As | live" he declared, this IS the
first time that any money consideration
has induced me to break away from our
principles. The Count Won Hern, he
lad powerful friends who were our
friends, and he gave me the word,
straight. that YOU two had an appoint
nent down below, which was consider
IDLY overdue. I don't know. even now,
Why consented. guess ii isn't much
Ise apologizing."
Sogrange rose to his feet
Well" ne said, Il am not inclined to
,ear malice. but YOU must understand
his from me, Philip Burr As a socI.
ny. l dissolve you. deprive you or
our title and of your signs. Call YOUR
elf what you will, but never again
MENTION the name OF the Double Four.
With us in Europe, another era has
lawned. We are on the side OF law
nd order. We protect only criminals
# certain class, in whose operations
We have faith. There is no future for
uch a society in this country. There.
ore, as | say, dissolve it. Now, II
ou are ready, perhaps you will be so
,ood as to provide US with the means
# reaching our hotel.
Philip Burr led them INTO back
treet, where his own handsome auto
Mobile was placed at their service.
This kind of breaks me all up, he
eclared, as he gave the instructions to
he chauffeur. IF there were two men