The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-04-04

= Ao0AAOA III
mans right to be reasonable. +.
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 lrishman thoughtfully for a 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 inctsively. Ito play blind
mans buff?"
Am what?" asked O'Rourke. star
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per-
haps ! fail to follow ye." d
Il mean," explained the vicomte pa
tiently. that l have to offer you a
commission to act under sealed or.
ders"-he tapped the envelope-"the
orders contained herein"
And when would | be free to open
| that?"
AS soon as you are at sea-away
from France, MONSIEUR"
ORourke considered the e%nyelope
doubtfully. From you. monsieur-from
the Government of France, which you
represent" he said at length, Eyes;
Will 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 Trebes gravely. Indeed, 1
venture to assert you will find this
let us say-adventure much to your
ilklng. Then you accept?"
One moment-a dozen questions,
by your leave. When must l
start?"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide. at ten minutes to
eight"
And where will | be going?"
First to Paris; thence to Havre;
thence, by the first available steamer,
to New York: finally, it may be to
Venezuela. monsieur"
"ESpenses?"
II will myself furnish you with funds
sufficient to finance you as far as
New York. There our consul-genera]
Will provide you with what more you
may require. 1t is essential that your
connection with this affair shall be
kept secret; should you draw on the
government in this country, it would
expose you to grave suspicious, per.
haps to danger"
Il understand that" assented the
lrishman. But to obviate all danger
OF mistake, would it not be we'll to
nave n of your trusted agents meet
me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever We figure | might re.
qulre? "Tis barely possible your con.
sul-general might not recognize me in
New York. Why should he? never
heard his name. even."
Des Irebes 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. l am authorized
to assure you that in no case will
you receive less than twenty-five thou.
sand francs; in event of a successful
termination of your mission, the re.
ward will be doubled"
TITS enough" said O'Rourke with =
sigh; Il accept"
The Frenchman rose, Offering him
the envelope. You must pledge your.
sell, monsieur. o to break these seals
until you are at sea?"
Absolutely-of course" O'Rourke
took the packet, weighed it curiously
In his hand and scrutinized the seals
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 of meet.
ing o at the train to see you off, mon.
sleur," 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. . )"
Half way to the door, Des Trebes
paused. On. by the way" he ex-
claimed carelessly. Il believe YOU are
a friend OF my old schoolfellow, Cham.
bret-mon cher Adolph"
"'Tis So" assented the freshman
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.
%tention. as If alarmed. His pallor was.
if possible. increased. livid-his close.
ly shaver beard showing blue.black on
| his heavy inw1s and nronoinar< oh,o