The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-05-09

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 incisively. ito play blind
mans buff?''
Am what?" asked O'Rourke. star
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per-
haps ! fail to follow ye."
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?"
las soon as you are at sea-away
from France, Monsieur"
ORourke considered the envelope
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, l
venture to assert you will find this
let us say-adventure much to your
liking. 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 Hayre;
thence. by the first available steamer,
to New York; finally. it mag be to
Venezuela, monsieur"
"EXpenses?"
Il will myself furnish you with funds
sufficient to finance you as far as
New York. There our nsul-general
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 one OF your trusted agents meet
me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever We figure might re-.
qulre? IT'S 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. It
shall be arranged as you suggest"
| FINALLY, then. what is to be my
recompense?"
That must depend. 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"
"'Tis enough" said O'Rourke with
sigh; II accept"
The Frenchman rose, Offering him
the envelope You must pledge your.
self, monsieur, not 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 vet soft
and fresh; the wax had been hot with.
in the half hour.
Il Will do myself the honor of meet.
ing you 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. :"
Half way to the door, Des Trebes
paused. "Oh, by the way" he ex.
claimed carelessly. Il believe you arc
friend OF my old school-fellow. Cham.
bret-mon cher Adolph?~
tbs so.'' assented the Irishman
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."
1.-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 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 fowls and prominent chin.