Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1912-04-12

sieur."
Des Trebes. lounging back, knees
crossed, thin white fingers interlac-
ing. black eyes narrowing, regarded
the Irishman thoughtfully for mo-
ment. Abruptly he sat up and re-
moved from an inner pocket long
thin white envelope, thrice sealed with
red wax and innocent Of any super
scription whatever.
Are you prepared, monsieur" he
demanded incfsively, ito play blind
mans buff?"
Am what?" asked O'Rourke, star
tied Then he smiled. Pardon; per-
haps ! fail to follow ye."
i mean explained the vicomte pa
tiently, that | have to offer you a
commission to act under sealed or
ders"-he tapped the envelope-"th
orders contained herein"
And when would be free to open
that?"
AS soon as you are a. sea-away
from France, Monsieur"
O'Rourke considered tae envelope
doubtfully. From you. mcnsieur-fro
the Government of France, which you
represent" he said at length, yes;
| will accept such a commission.
France" he averred simply, knows
me; it wouldn't be asking me to do
anything a gentleman shouldn't"
you may feel assured of that"
agreed Des Trebes gravely. Indeed,
| ventura IN viii
let, us say-adventure much to your
liking. Then you accept?'
One moment--a dozen questions,
by your leave. =. When must
start?"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide, at ten minutes to
eight
And where will he going?"
First to Paris; thence to Havre;
thence. by the first available steamer,
to New York; finally, it may be to
Venezuela. monsieur"
Expenses"
Il will myself furnish you with funds
sufficient to finance you as far as
New York. There our consul-general
Will provide you with what more you
may require. It 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
Irishman. But to obviate all danger
of mistake, would it not be well to
1--we one 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. 1t
shall be arranged asryou, 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 successful
termination of your mission. the re-
wal u Will US QOuDI6Q.
lis enough" said O'Rourke with a
sigh; 4 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 coarse" O'Rourke
took the packet. weighed it curiously
IN his hand and scrttinized the seals.
He remarked that tney were yet soft
and fresh; the wax lad been hot with.
in the half hour
i will do myself the honor of meet
ing you at the train TO see you off, mon
sieur." said Des TFebeS AT that time.
also, will proVids you with the funds
you require"
Thank ye"
Their hands met.
Good night. Monsieur O'Rourke."
Good night I"
Half way to the door. Des Trebes
paused "Oh, by the way" he ex-
claimed carelessly. Il believe you are
friend or my old schoolfellow. Cham
bret-non cher Adolph?"
10 81 doSSul0Q tue lrlSnman
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"
''Ths last heard of him, he was in
Algeria. mGnsieur-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 paIlor was,
if possible, increased. livid-his close
ly shaver beard showing blueblack on |
his heavy iowls and prominent chin. |