The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-04-05

aANNR hin Nl1
represent he said at length. yes;
VIII accept such a commission
france" he averred simply. knows
me; 1t wouldn't be asking me to do
anything a gentleman shouldn't"
"You may feel assured OF that"
agreed Des Frebes graveIy. Indeed. I
venture TO assert you VIII find this
let us say--adventure much to your
liking. Then vou 600, o."
one moment-a dozen questions,
ny you leave. When must /
start?"
tomorrow morning by the Cote
dAzur RapIde. at ten minutes to
eight"
And where will | be going?"
FIRST to Paris; thence to Hayre;
thence, by the first available steamer
to New York; finally, it may be to
Venezuela, monsieur"
Expenses"
VIII myself furnish you with funds
suf1clent 10 finance you as far as
New York. There our co~nsul.general
VIII provide you with what more Won
may require. 1t is essential that our
connection with this affair shall he
kept secret; should O draw on the
government in this country, it would
expose you to grave sugpiclons. per.
haps TO danger"
! understand that" assented the
lrlshman. But to obviate all danger
OF mistake, would it not be well to
nave n OF your trusted agents meet
me on the steamer and provide me-
with whatever We figure | might re-
quire? Tis barely possible your con-
sul'general might not recognize me in
New York. Why should he? | never
heard his name, even"
Des Trebes meditated this briefly
1T shall be as you desire, monsieur, II
shall be arranged as you suggest"
Finally, then. what is to be NV
recompense?"
That must depend. | am ~anthort,oa
10 assure you that in no case will
you receive less than twenty-five thon.
SAND francs; in event of a successful
termination of our mission. the re.
ward will be doubled"
TITS enough" said o'Rourke with q
sigh; Il accept"
Il frenchman rose, offering him
the envelope. You must pledpa vour.
sell. monsieur. not to break these seals
until you are at sea?"
"Absolutely--of course" O'RourLa
tool the packet, weighed It c~uriouslv
IN his hand aud scrutinIzed tho soaIs
He remarked that they were yet soft
and fresh: the wax had been hot with.
In the half hour.
Il will do myself the honor n, ueet.
ing 0 at the train to see you off mon.
sieur," said Des Trebes. AT that time.
also, will ! provide you with the funds
you require"
Thank ye."
Their hands met.
Good night, Monsieur o'Rourke."
Good night. . n
han way to the door, Des Trebes
paused. oh. by the way" he ex.
claimed c%arelessly, Il believe Won ars
a friend OF my old schooLfellow, Cham.
bret-mon cher Adolph?"
IT'S So" assented the lrisbman
warmly, The best of men-Cham.
brett"
odd" commented the vicomte:
only this afternoon | was thinking
of him. wondering what had become
of the man"
The last | heard of him, he was In
Algeria, monsieur-with some French
force in the desert"
THANK You :" On the point
of leaving the vicomte snapped his
teeth on a second Good night" and
swore beneath his breath.
O'Rourke. surprised, stared. The
Frenchman was standing stiffly at at.
as IL alarmed. His pallor was,
it possible, increased, livid-his close
Iy shaven beard showing blue.black n
his heavy jowls and prominent chin.
His eyes blazed. shifting from the al.
cove to O'Rourke.
Monsieur" he demanded harshly,
what does this insult mean?"
"Mean?' iterated O'Rourke. Insult?
Faith, ye have me there"
Speeches. with rage, Des Trebes ges.
violently toward the ~alcoye; and
0'Rourke became aware that the cur.
we're shaking-wavering as
a draught stirred them. But
was no draught. And beneath
edge he saw two feet--.wo small,
1ewitching feet In the daintiest and
most absurd of evening slippers, with
In inch or so OF silken stockings show.
.ng above each.
Des Trebes' eyes, filled with an ex.
preston ~unspeakably offensive, met
he Irishman's blank, wondering gaze. ,
II Is, nc doubt, the Frenchman STAN.
nered, Sanctioned by your code to
lave me spied upon by the partner of {
liaisons." L
But. monsieur" {
Il compliment the lady upon the {
OF her feet. as well as upon
mikes so charming that | cannot bring +,
myself to leave without a glimpse of I
heir mistress features" /
Des Trebes moved toward the al. q
owe. Thunderstruck. O'Rourke ran. |
ed out a stupefied oath. then in a
forestalled the maa With him {
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