The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-01-31

from Nice tomorrow night Two nights later we all should be on board and under way. Do you know. we have been very clever. Not suspicion anywhere of what we are about
 "Do you recollect NJ. Ferraud7" in- Quired Breitmann.
 That little fool of a butterfly hunt er?'' the duke asked.
 NJ. Ferraud smiled and gazed laugh ingly up at the grill.
 ''He is no fool'' tabruptIyl. "He is a secret agent. and not one move have we made that is unknown to him." Impossible"
 M. Ferraud could not tell whether the consts rnation in 2icard's voice was real or assumed. He chose to believe the latter.
 And why hasn't he shown his hand?'
 He is waiting for us to show ours. But don't worry" went on Breitmann ''I have arranged to suppress him neatly"
 And the possible victim murmured. 'T wonder howT'
 'aThen we must not meet again until you return. and then only at the little house in the Rue St. Charles"
 Agreed. Now must be off"
 Good luck!''
 M. Ferraud heard the stir of sim gle chair and knew that the great grandson was leaving. The wall might have been transparent, so sure was he of the smile upon Pfcard's face. a sin ister speculating smile. But his in1ag ination did not pursue Breitmann. whose lips also wore a smile. one of irony and bitterness Neither did he hear Picard murmur "DupeT nor Breitmann mutter "Fools!''
 When Breitmann saw Hildegarde in the hotel gardens he did not avoid her. but stopped by her chair. She rose. She had been waiting all day for this moment. She must speak out or suf- locate with anxiety.
 Karl. what are you going to doT'
 "Nothing." unsmilingly.
 ''You will let the admiral find and keep this money which is yours ?1
 Breitmann shrugged.
 "You are killing me with suspense" "Nonsenser' briSkly.
 "You are contemplating violence of some order. I know it. feel itv'
 ''Not so loudr' impatiently.
 ''You arer' she repeated crushing her hands together.
 Well. all there remains to do is to tell the admiral. He will perhaps di- vide with me"
 "How can you be so cruel to me? It is your safety-that- is all l wish to be assured of. Oh. T am pitifully weaki I should 6~spise you. Take this chest of macy: it is yours. Go to England. to America, and be hap Py.''
 "who cares?"
 'I careI" with sob.
 The bitterness in his face died for a space "Hildegarde. I'm not worth it. Forget me as some bad dream. for that is all I am or ever shall be. Marry Cathewe. I'm not blind He will make you happy. I have made my bed. or, rather. certain statesmen have. and must lie in it. If I had known what I know now" with re- gret, 'this would not have been. But distrusted every one. myself too"
 She understood. Karl. had you told me all in the first place I should have given you that diagram without question gladly"
 !" "CAAs GlLl LAC@
 And with that he left her standing by the side of her chair and walked swiftly toward the hotel. When next she realized or sensed anything she was lying on her bed. her eyes dry and wide open. And she did not go down to dinner. nor did she answer the various calls on her door.
 Night rolled over the world. with
 
 lion planets. The lights in the hotel 1ickered out one by one. and in the third corridor. where the adventurers were housed. only wick floating in a tumbler of oil burned dimly.
 Fitzgerald had waited in the shadow for nearly an hour. and he was grow ing restless and tired. All day long he had b zen obsessed with the convic- ton tha if Breitmann ever made a s*art it would be some time that night Distinctly he heard the light rattle of a carriage. It stopped out side the gardens. He pressed closer against the wall The door to Brett mann's room opened gently. and the man himself stepped out cautiously.
 ''So." began Fitzgerald lightly, your majesty goes forth tonight?"
 But he overreached himself. Brett mann whirled. and all the hate in his breast went into his arm as he struck Fitzgerald threw up his guard. but not soon enough. The blow hit him full on the side of the head and top pied him over. and as the back of his head bumped the floor the world camt to an end. When he regained hi senses his head was pillowed on a we mans knees. and the scared whit, face of woman bent over his.
 Whats happened?" he whispered There were a thousand wicks where there had been one. and these wenr round and round in a circle. Present ly the effect wore away. and he rec ognized Laura. Then he remem bered By Georger'
 What Is it?'' she cried. the bands of terror about her heart Ioosening.
 As a hero I'm a picture" he an- swered- "Why. I had an idea that