The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-02

"But I have not counted itT' naively
 '"Tomorrow when we make camp for breakfast. Let us hurry" Quickly Pietro stuffed his pockets l jabbering in his patois, swearing g. many candles to the Virgin for hi nights work. Then began the Ioadin | of the sacks, and these were fnall' dumped into the donkey panniers.
 Now, Pietro. the shortest cut tt Ajaccio. First your hand on you, | amulet and oath never to reveal wtlai has happened"
 Pietro swore solemnly. "I am read, now. master"
 Lead on. then" replied Breitmann ImpuIsively he raised his hands hIgk above his head. Mine. all miner | He wiped his face and hands. pulled his cap down firmly, lighted a ctga rette. struck the rear donkey, and the hazardous journey began.
 
 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 a house in the Rue St Charles. They had been eating and drinking rather luxuriously for Ajaccio. The Rue St. Charles is neither spacious nor ele- gant as a thoroughfare. but at that point where it turns into the Place Le- titia it is quiet and unfrequented at night. A film of tobacco smoke way cred in and out among the Ruttering candles and streame round the empty and part empty champagne boriies. At the head of the table sat Breitmann. still pale and weary from his hercu- lean labors. His face was immobiie, but his eyes were lively.
 Tomorrow" said Breitmaun. 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 millionsP' unused Picard from behind a fresh cloud of smoke. He picked up bottle and gravely filled his glass. beckoning to the others to follow his example. At another sign all rose to their feet. Breitmann alone remaining seated. ITO the dayF'
 Breitmann's- lips grew thinner. That was the only sign.
 Outside. glancing obliquely though the grilled window. stood NJ. Ferraud. He had not seen these worthies to- gether before. He knew all of them. There was not a shoulder among them that he could not lay a hand upon and voice with surety the order of the law. Courage of a kind they all had. names once written gloriouSly in history, but now merely passports into dubious traffic. Heroes of boulevard exploits. duelists. card players-couId 1t he possible that any sane man should be their dupe? After the strange toasr be 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 he reached the Place des Painters. He put hand on Breitmann's arm The latter. highly keyed. swung quickly. and. seeing who 1t was (the man he believed to be at that moment a pris- oner in the middle country. he made a sinister move toward his hip M Ferraud was in peril. and he req lized 1t.
 Wait q moment. monsieur There is no need of that. l repeat. I wish you well. and this night l will prove it. What? Do you not know that l could have put my hand on you at any moment? Attend. Return with me to the little house in Rue St. CharIes''
 Brietmann's hand again stole toward his hip.
 You were listeningP'
 ''Yes. Be careful. My death would not change anything. 1 wish to disil- fusion you. I wish to prove to you how deeply you are the dupe of those men. All your plans have been re- markable. but not one of them has re- mained unknown to me. You clasp the hand of this duke who plays the sailor under the name of Picard. who halls you as a future emperor and stab bs you behind your back2 How? Double face that he is. have 1 not proof that he has written detail after detail of this conspiracy to the Quai dOrsay and that he has chung to you only to gain his share of what is yours? Come back with me and let your own ears testify. The fact that l am not in the mountains should con vince you how strong l am"
 Breitmann hesitated. wondering whether he had best shoot this med dler then and there and cut for it or follow him