The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1912-01-19
SYNOPSIS.

Monte Carlo with Col. Terence O'Rourke
his hotel ORourke. a military free
nnce and something of a gambler. is
iressng for appearance in the restaurant
below when the sound of girlish voice
Iinging attracts his attention. Leaning
,ut on the balcony he sees beautiful
girl who suddenly disappears He PUSHES
20 the corridor to see neatly gowne0
form enter the elevator and pass from
tight.
CHAPTER H-o'Rourke's mind fs
flied with thoughts Of the girl. and when
ae goes to to- the gaming table he allows his his
differently. He notices two men watch
ng him. One is the Hon. BERTHE Glynn,
rrebes. noted duelist. When O'Rourke
leaves the table the viscount tells him he
hat he has been directed to o'Rourke as
man who would undertake a secret
oliss;~.-.
- .c-crs essenr,cI''' ues ire
hes reviewed his surroundings wit
swift, searching glance. 1--WE are at
least secure from interruption; one
could ask little more"
True for ye." laughed O'Rourke. He
moved toward the alcove. Now first
of all I'm to submit proofs of me iden-
tity, believe" he added intending to
dig out of his trunk dispatch-box
containing his passports and other pa
perS OF private nature.
But Des Trebes had changed his
mind. That is unnecessary, mon
sieur. Your very willingness is suffi-
Client proof 1 have your word and
am content"
That's the way of doing business
that l like" assented ORourke heart
lily, warming little to the man as he
turned back a chair facing the vi
conte. Besides, l quarrel with no
mans right to be reasonable. E.
And now I'm at your service, mon
sieur"
Des Trebes. lounging back, knees
crossed, thin white fingers interlac-
ing, black eyes narrowing, regarded
the Irishman thoughtfully for mo-
ment. Abruptly he sat up 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 l what?" asked O'Rourke, star
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per-
AAApb ldll " lOllOW ye.
Il mean," explained the vicomte pa
tiently, that 1 have to offer you a
commission to act under sealed Or
ders'-he tapped the envelope-'the
orders contained herein"
And when would l be free to open
that"
las soon as you are at sea-away
from France. Monsieur"
O'Rourke considered the envelope
doubtfully From you monsieur-from
the Government of France. which you
represent" he said at length. yes;
will accept such a commission.
France" he averred simply. knows
me; it wouldn't be asking me to do
anything a 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. i. Then you accept"
"One moment-a dozen questions
by your leave. When must
start?"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide, at ten minutes tc
eight"
And where will be going?"
First to Paris; thence to Havre;
thence, by the first available steamer
to New York; finally. 1t may be te
Venezuela, monsieur"
Expenses
81 will myself furnish you with fund!
sufficient to finance you as far al
New York. There our consul-genera
will provide you with what more yo,
may require. 1t is essential that YOU
connection with this affair shall b'
kept secret; should you draw on thu
government in this country. 1t would
expose you to grave suspicious, per
haps to danger"
Il understand that" assented thu
Irishman. But to obviate all DANCE
of mistake, would 1t not be well Il
have one of your trusted agents NEE
me on the steamer and provide M
with whatever ye figure I might re
Quire? TITS barely possible your con
sul-general might not recognize me II
New York. Why should he? l neve
heard his name, even"
Des Trebes meditated this briefly
at shall be as you desire. monsieur.
shall be arranged as you suggest"
Finally, then, what is TO be m
recompense?"
THAT must depend. am authorize
to assure you that in no case Wi
you receive less than twenty-five thou
sand francs; in event of successful
termination of your mission, the RI
ward will be doubled"
"'Tis enough" said O'Rourke with
sigh; II accept"
The Frenchmap rose. offering hif
the envelope. you must pledge YOU
self, monsieur. not to break these seal