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

AS ne stepped out of the lift Colonel
O'Rourke remarked light in MS
room. visible through the transom
over the door.
1.-THE femme de chambre." ne
thought. sure and the poor things
still busy trying to clear up. !
To the contrary. he found the dool
fast. "'Tis careless she was to leave
the light on" he observed. fitting ms
key in the lock.
If thoughtless in that one way, the
woman had fulfilled the letter OF her
word in the other. 1t was with com
prehensive relief (since he anticipated
a caller) that he found the room once
again presentable.
But one thing surprised him; and
more surprising still was the fact tnat
his ordinarily Indifferent eye should
have detected it at the first glance.
He had indeed hardly entered before
he became aware of a square OF white
paper tucked in the corner OF the bu-
reau mirror.
1.-THE divvle, now!" he greeted it.
"That's curious. Could one of
me MANY admirers have bribed the
femme de chambre to bring note TO
me?" He chuckled. holding to the
light a much soiled envelope, grimy
with the marks of many fingers. plas-
tered with stamps and black with
postage marks and substitute adj
dresses, having evidently been for
warded over half the world before 1t
reached the addresses: who was,
in a bold hand. Colonel Terence
O'Rourke.''
He whistled low over this, examin-
ing it intently, infinitely less concern
ed with it's contents than with the
manner by which it had reached him.
The first postmark seemed to be that
of Rangoon, the original address, the
Cercle Militaire, his club in Paris
Thence, apparently, it had sought him
in Galway, Ireland, Dublin, Paris again.
and finally-after half dozen other
addresses-"C. of Nine. O'Rourke. Ho-
tel Carlton, London" The London
postmark was indecipherable.
He found himself trembling violent
ly By one hand alone could this
have reached him, since the post had
not brought it to Monte Carlo.
He recalled that womans voice which
Casino whose bearing had seemed to
him so familiar. ~.
Some one tapped on the door; he
samothered curse of annoyance, and
went to answer. thrusting the letter
into his pocket.
page announced Monsieur lie
Comte des Trebes,
Show the gentleman up snapped
O'Rourke. He was about to add, 'in
five minutes" when Des Trebes him
self appeared.
Anticipating that message. mon
sieur." he said. moving into view
from one side of the door, 81 took the
liberty of accompanying this boy. |
am late, | fear"
O'Rourke forced a nod and smile of
welcome. Not to my knowledge" said
he.
The Frenchman consulted his watch.
Ten minutes late, monsieur; it is ten
past midnight"
Then" said O'Rourke, the top o
the morning to We. Enter. monsieur
He stood aside, closing the door be-
him his guest. IT'S no matter; if
| thought We punctual, It's so We are
20 all intents and purposes.
A chair. monsieur" He established
Des Trebes by window. And a Gig
arctic? A drop to drink?
AS We will And since
It's to talk secret business that we're
here-would We like the door locked?"
THAT is hardly essential" Des Ire
bes reviewed his surroundings with
swift. searching glance. I'VE are at
least secure from interruption; one
could ask little more"
True for We" laughed O'Rourke. He
moved toward the alcove. Now first
of all I'm to submit proofs of me iden-
tity. believe" he added, intending to
dig out of his trunk a dispatch-box
containing his passports and other pa
pers of a private nature
But Des Trebes had changed his
mind. That is unnecessary, mon
sieur. Your very willingness is suffi-
cient proof. have your word and
am content"
That's the way of doing business
that like" assented O'Rourke heart
.iy warming little to the man as he
su' aed back a chair facing the vi