Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-03
CHAPTER Xxx.
Falkeuberr Acts.

SO sure. Mademoiselle had both hopes
and fears. They discussed the matter
fully on their homeward drive.
Hendricks strol1ed over to the table
where Julien was and touched him on the
shoulder.
rs this tosbe another all-night sitting?"
he asked.
Herr Freudenberg was deep in CONVEX
moiselles friend. He glanced up. but his
greeting was almost perfunctory. Ken
bricks looked keenly at the man who
was leaning back in his padded seat. The
eyes of NJ. Jesen were little more
bloodshot now. He had split wine down
the front of his waistcoat, cigar ash upon
his coat sleeve. He was by no means an
inviting person to look at Yet about his
forehead and mouth there was an express
sion Of power. Herr Freudenberg. with
obvious regret, abandoned his CONVERSE
ton for the moment.
You are taking your friend away" he
remarked. suavely. I'VE shall part from
him with regret. Sir Julien" he added,
answer to my proposition. l will put it
into absolutely definite shape, II you like
within the next few days"
II move into my old rooms-No. II Rue
de Observation-Disclosures morning, or,
rather. this morning." Julien replied
You might telephone or call there at any
time"
"Tell me. is what I have proposed in
any way attractive to you?" Herr Freu-
denberg asked, still speaking in an under
tone.
In sense it is" Julien answered. 1T
needs further consideration, of course.
must also consult my friend"
Herr Freudenberg glanced at Ken
bricks and shrugged his shoulders. He
had the air Of one slightly annoyed. Ken
bricks was bending over Mile Ike. Herr
Freudenberg whispered in Julien's ear:
You take too much advice from your
boisterous friend, dear Sir Julien he as
serted. Mark my words. he will try to
keep you here. cooling your heels upon
the mat He will prevent you from rails
Ing your hand to knock upon the door of
destiny. These men who write are like
that They do not understand action"
Hendricks turned from mademoiselle.
You are ready, Julien?" he asked.
Quite Julien answered.
They made their adieux. Herr F,reu-
denberg watched them leave the room.
The man by his side-M. Jesen-also
watched little curiously.
IAN English journalist" Herr Freuden-
berg remarked; some say q man Of abil-
| ity. find him trifle boisterous and un-
couth. NJ. Jesen, our conversation in
teTests me immensely. I feel SURE
We have talked enough of business y
| he declared. 1T is an idea this of yours
For the rest, I cannot tell. A wonderful
idea! he continued. And as for me, am
| IlOI the HlAu 10 embrace
You have but to say q single word
Herr Freudenberg reminded him, softly,
and all is arranged"
NJ. Jesen puffed furiously at a cigar
cite. The fingers which had held the
match to it were shaking The man HIM
self seemed unsteady on his seat. Yet it
was obvious that his brain was working.
"HArr Freudenberg," he said. there is
but one weak point in all your chain of
arguments. To do as you ask 1t will be
oSco pxyf hot d.,
known. whose opinions are followed by
millions OF my country people-it would
be necessary for me to abandon my con-
v1ctions. to turn right-about face. Ask
yourself is it not like selling ones honor
when one writes the things one does not
believer"
Herr Freudenberg smiled.
My friend. you ask me a question the
reply to which is already spoken. tell
You that behind. at the back Of your
all these things. Think, man! Call to
| mind the arguments / have used Re-
member, / have lifted the curtain, have
shown you the things that arrive, the
things that are inevitable
Mademoiselle, the companion of M
Jesen. had had enough of this. 1t was
| her weekly holiday She yawned and
| tapped her friend upon the arm.
My dear Paul." she protested, while
you and Herr Freudenberg talk as two
men who have immense affairs Mar
| guerite and We weary ourselves. If I
am to be alone like this. very good. l
speak to my friends. There is NJ. de
| Chaussin there. He throws me a kiss.
looks. indeed, as though he had plenty
to say! Or there is the melancholy Itai-
Ian gentleman. who raises his glass al
ways when l look. And the two Ameri-
cans
You have reason, little one" M. Jesen
interrupted. Herr F'reudenberg, this is
| no place for such a discussion
Agreed" Herr Freudenberg exclaimed.
| We owe our apologies to mademoiselle,
your charming friend. and mademoiselle.
ing to Marguerite. Come, let us drink
more wine. Let us talk together. What
Is your pleasure. mademoiselle, the friend
OF my good friend. NJ. Jesen? VIII you
to which you would listen? Or shall we
pray Marguerite here that she sings? Let
US, at any rate. be gay. And for the rest,
NJ. Jesen. time has no count for us who
live our lives; When We leave here, you
| and I will talk more"
| 1t was daylight before they left. The
whole party got into Herr Freudenberg' &
motor.
Il drive you first to your rooms, M.
Jesen. he said. II take then the lib
versation which we have begun is best
concluded within the shelter Of four
1 walls"
NJ. Jesen was excited. yet nervous.
1T is too late" he muttered, ito tall,
business"
Herr Freudenberg smiled.
"Ah!' he cried. "you jest, my friend
Look out Of that window. You see the
sunshine in the streets. you breathe the
fresh. clear air? Too late indeed! It is
morning and the brain is keenest then
| Don't you feel the fumes of the hot
| rooms, Of the wine, Of the tobacco smoke
| all pass Away with the touch Of that soft
| wind?"
NJ. Jesen stared. He was conscious of q
very bad headache. an uncomfortable
sense that he had, as usual on hts weekly
holiday, eaten and drunk and smoked g
| great deal more than was good for him
He gazed with wonder at this tall. spare.
looking man, who had drunk as much
and smoked as much and eaten as much
| as any one else, and yet appeared exactly
as he had done four hours ago. Even his
linen was still spotless His eyes were
bright, his manner buoyant.
Monsieur" he murmured. 'you are
| marvellous. I haye never before met q
German merchant like YOU"
| Herr Freudenberg sat quite still for q
moment. He looked at mademoiselle, the
friend Of M. Jesen, and he realized that
| theirs was no casual acquaintance. In
both he recognized the characteristics OF
| fidelity. AS he had always the genius ia
do. he took his risks.
I'M. Jesen.'' he announced, 'T ana nc
German maker OF toys. Let me ascend
with you to your room and you shall hear
who I am and why have said these
| things to YOU"
| NJ Jesen held his hand to his head.
Something in the manner Of this new
friend of his was. in q sense. mesmeric.
i V0p, eh o1 n.A onVia h.