Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-04-19


Seven men more or less young. with
a genial air of dissipation about their
eyes and a varied degree Of reckless
ness lurking at the corners Of their
mouths-seven men sat round a table
In house in the Rue st. Charles. They
had been eating and drinking rather
luxuriously for Ajaccio. The Rue IT.
Charles Is neither spacious nor ele-
CANT as a thoroughfare. but at that
point where II turns into the Place L.
titia 1t Is quiet and unfrequented al
night. A film Of tobacco smoke wav-
cred in and out among the guttering
candles and streamed round the empty
and part empty champagne bottles. At
the head OF the table sat Breitmann.
still pale and weary from his hercu-
lean labors. His face was immobile.
but his eyes were lively.
Tomorrow" said Breitmann, I'VE
leave for France On board the mon
eys will be equally divided. Then for
the work" His voice was cold. au-
thoritative.
1.-TWO millions" unused Picard from
behind a fresh cloud Of smoke. BE
picked up bottle and gravely nlled
his glass, reckoning to the others to-
follow his example. At another sign
all rose to their feet. Breitmann alone
remaining seated. ITO the dayT
Breitmann's lips grew thinner. That
was the only sign.
Outside. glancing obliquely though
the grilled window, stood n. Ferraud.
He had not seen these worthless to-
gether before He knew all Of them.
There was not a shoulder among them
that be could not lay hand upon
and voice with surety the order Of
the law Courage Of q kind they all
had. names once written gloriously In
history. but now merely passports into
dubious traffic. Heroes Of boulevard
exploits, duelists. card players-could
II be possible that any sane man
should be their dupe? After the
strange toast he heard many things
some he had known. some he had
guessed at and some which surprised
him. Only loyalty was lacking to
make them feared indeed. Presently
he saw Breitmann rise. He was tired;
he needed sleep. On the morrow, then,
and In a week the first blow Of the
new terror. They all bowed respect
fully as he passed out
The secret agent followed him till be
reached the Place des Painters. BE
put a hand on Breitmann's arm. The
latter, highly keyed. swung quickly,
and, seeing who 1t was (the man be
believed to be at that moment q pris
oner in the middle country, be made
a sinister move toward bis hip. NJ
Ferraud was in peril, and he realized 1t
wait a moment, monsieur. Their
Is no need Of that repeat, ! wisi
you well, and this night ! will prove
1t. What? Do you not know that
could have put my hand on you at AM
moment? Attend. Return with N,
to the little house In Rue st. Charles
Brietmann's hand again stole towarl
his hip.
"You were listeningp
"YeS. Be careful. My death woul'
not change anything. ! wish to disil
fusion you. wish to prove to yoV
how deeply you are the dupe Of thos
men. All your plans have been re
, markable, but not one Of them has re
NAMED unknown to me- You clasl
, the hand Of this duke who plays th
sailor under the name Of Picard. VIII
halls you as a future emperor an
+ stabs you behind your backi How
, Double face that he IS. have ] no
proof that he has written detail afte
. detail OF this conspiracy to the Qua
| d0rsay and that he has chung to 20
J only to gain his share Of what |
2 yours? Come back with me and le
t your own ears testify The fact tina
2 | am not in the mountains should cor
vince you how strong | am"
Breitmann hesitated. wOnderin
3 whether he had best shoot this met
dler then and there and cut for II Q
follow him.
81 will 90 with you. But give 20
this warning: II what hear is nc
what you expect me to hear promis
to put n bullet into your meddlin
head"
81 agree to that" replied the othe
BE did not underestimate his DANCE
Neither did he undervalue his Int
mate knowledge Of human nature.
With what emotions Breitmann n
turned to the scene Of his triumph b
self appointed companion could onl
surmise He had determined to saw
this young fool in spite Of his mat
ness. and never had he failed to brir
his enterprises to their forearrangt
end. And there was sentiment b
tween all this. sentiment he would n
have been ashamed TO avow. UpC
chance. then. tickle incOnstant chanc
depended the success Of the sevC
years labor. II by this time the vii
had not lOOsened their tongues or.
they had disappeared!
. But fortune fayors the persistent |
. less than the brave. The prOhigat