The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-06-20

whilst he listened-ner lost q point
and replied to the secretary.
The latter regretted excessively
that his excellency vas absent: hi.
excellency would undoubtedly be desc
lated when he returned and found BIZ
bad missed Colonel O'Rourke.
He'll be back soon, monsieur"
Alas, mol" with a shrug. HE IL
en- route fer Paris-possibiy arrived
by this moment-on matters of state
And he left?"
Several days since, monsieur"
You know nothing of this package
Endorsed with the name of Monsieur
Chambret?"
To the contrary: the secretary knew
1t very well. He could place his hand
upon 1t at any moment-monsieur
would appreciate that he burst not
surrender II without the Governors
authority.
o'Rourke drew a long sigh of relief
and was abruptly conscious of fatigue
and a desire to get away and rest.
I'm obliged to ye," he said slowly,
rising. IN have to wait until the
Governor returns, | presume.
BY the way, are We he any chance &C.
quainted with Monsieur le Vicomte
des Trebes?"
But certainly; the vicomte was a
great friend of his e%xcellency's. He
had dined with his exceilency some
thing over a week since, just prior to
the latter's departure.
And | take 1t ye have seen nothing
OF the gentleman SINGER"
On the contrary. monsieur: the VI
comte called here but two days ago."
1t appeared that he had desired some
trifing information, with which the
secretary had obliged him.
"Ye didn't happen to leave him
alone in this room?"
The secretary, plainly much per
picked by this odd catechism, ad-
mitted that such had been the case;
the pursuit Of the desired data had
necessitated his absence from the Gov.
ernor's for a matter Of some ten
minutes.
But ye say ye can put your hand
on this package?"
"But certainly. monsieur"
Would We mind making sure It's
safe. 'Twould save me a deal of
waiting, perhaps"
With alacrity and a smile that de-
precated his visitors anxiety over so
trifing a matter, the secretary rose.
went to the safe and confidently
enough thrust a hand into one of the
pigeon-hoies. The hand came forth
empty. A frown Of bewildermcnt
clouded the secretary's face. TT must
be here" he announced with convic-
ton. 1T was in plain sight and la
belled with the name Of Monsieur
Chambret . :" He turned. "If
Monsieur lie Colonel will but return in
half an hour, l undertake then to
show him the packet itself. l shall by
then have found it-but ~assuredly!"
"Ye are very courteous, monsieur.
| will return"
This he did-in two hours. The
packet had not been found; the SEQ
rotary, In a flutter Of nerves, confessed
that through some culpable negligence
1t must have been misplaced. An ex-
tended search was even then in
progress. II would surely come to
light before evening.
Thank ye; I shan't be back" re-
turned o'Rourke grimly; and went
away, downcast for the first time
since the inception Of the adventure.
Faith! and to think I would not be.
ieve the truth when they slapped me
face with II! And Ell the time. belize,
twas In the vicomte's own pocket!
+. :" But he had nc vocabulary ade
quate to the task of expressing his
self-contempt.
D~isconsolate, conceiving that he had
proven himself a blind. egregfous fool
he plodded with heavy steps and q
hanging head back to his hotel; where
the browning stroke OF the day was
presented to him In the shape of a
note, by the hand of q black Biskri
porter.
Monsieur 10 Colonel Terence
o'Rourke. Be hand" he conned the
address. Faith, and what's this?"
"If Monsieur lie Colonel O'Kourke
win do Monsieur des Trebes the hon,
or Of dining with him. at seven OF
seven-thirty this evening. at ths villa
forleans. st. Eugene. an arrangement
satisfactory to both himself and Mon
sierr le vicomte may be consummat
ed.
"R. 8. ". P.-The bearer waits"
A trap? A subterfuge? A trick &c
throw him OF the scent whilst the two
blackguards escaped with their booty
The adventurer frowned darkly ovel
Il. dubious. Then, In a flush Of reck
~iessness. he seized q sheet of paper
from a nearby desk. scrawled .
formal acceptance Of the strange invi
tation, and handed It to the Biskri boy
"All 70 gain, raught to lose" ne sum
med up the state OF mind which had