The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1912-01-24
n 10 sIAlEa

WnaL lOQB-Wlnued DeBRaT!
O.tourke commented mentally. "As
for that" said he aloud. "'tis impos
sible for me to calculate the imperti-
hence until It's put to me. Eh?"
Believe me, sir. I am anxious only
to avoid indiscrstion. 1t is the ques-
ton of your identity alone. | desire
only to be assured that you are the
Colonel O'Rourks take you to be-
My faith! And who else would
be. now?"
There's the bare possibility that
two of the same name might exist"
"'Tis SO bare that tits fairly indie
cent" chuckled the Irishman. But fire
away"
81 am not mistaken in assuming
that address the Colonel Terence
O'Rourke who was at one time a party
to lie petit Lemercie's mad Empire du
Sahara project and who later mar
ried Lemarcier's widow. Madame la
Princesse dc Grandeur"
ORourke took . long breath and
looked his Questioner up and down.
I'VE have q very pretty taste in the
matters of impsrtinences." he said
gravely. However, let that pass. I'm
the same man."
"A thousand pardons. Caution in
matters such a. this" A shrug COM
pleted the thought most eloquently.
You can give me proofs of your iden-
tity. them"
"Proofs!" O'Rourke got to his feet.
Believe me. monsieur. ye have all the
proof I'm willing to give ye. and that's
my last word. II 70 md 1t insufficient.
why. then"
"Pardon!" Des Trebes interrupted.
rising. II am myself more than con-
tent. But the Government of France"
THE Government of France"
O'Rourke whistlsd.
rs more exaoting than l. 1t knows
certain Colonel ORourke and him
alone does It need"
THE divvle Il doesi And what will
1t be wanting with me?"
Il can say At present no more than
that represent Government in an
AFFAIR demanding secrecy and dispatch.
I have a certain diplomatic mission to
discharge. and shall have need. mon
sieur. of a man stropg. bold. venture
some. willing to undertake a long and
perhaps periious Journey" Had Des
Trebes been inspired he could have
formulated no speech better calculated
to intrigue the Irishman: the merest
echo Of Its import would have fred
bis hearers fancy. He added: And !
am authorized 10 retain for that pur-
pose. should - fortunate enough to
and him unengAged. . certain Colonel
Terence O'Rourks."
Say NO msFe. monsieur. It's
enough. 'Seoreey-dispatch-a long
and periious jo1sasy!' Faith I'm Just
your mani"
You have ~ cher business of the
moment"
None whateveg."
Then I am i1Assd fortunate. Ard
now. I presume you will no longer
object to Satisfying me As to your iden-
tity."
Not in the least. Although. to be
candid, monsieur. I'm not in the hab-
It of carrying me Bertillion record
about me. But II yell have the good
mes to accompany me to the Orient.
over there I'll put your mind at ease
before ye can say knife.
Des IreDes noddod- snOulu Do
delighted. but unfortunately" - he
snapped the case Of his watch-'f
have an appointment with a confrere.
May We fix . time-in half an hour.
say--when It will be convenient for
you to have me call at the ORIENT"
I'm half an houri I'll await ye
then. monsieur"
Pardon. then. my haste. I am late.
must be of"
The mans hand touched O'Rourke's
in the most brief Of clasps. singularly
firm and cold. The Irishman pondered
the sensation for some moments after
Des Trebes' hurrying figure had van.
ished In shadows.
Il don't like It," he averred: "'tis
q bad sign-a hand that's naturally
cold. I never yet touched one like It
that belonged to man ye could trust.
I misdoubt he's sound at the core.
Des Trebes. But then. what's
the odds? Can I not take care Of me
self? And since It's the Government
Of France I'm treating with. and him.
self only the medium-that puts alto
gether q different complexion on the
matter"
He spent the ensuing halfhour loi-
tering in the more populous portion
of the grounds smoking as he stroll