The Bourbon news., 1912-01-09


him his guest. "'Tfs no matter: IL
| thought ye punctual, it's so ye are
to all intents and purposes. ;.
A chair, monsieur" He established
Des Trebes by window. "And a Gig
arctic! A drop to drink?
AS ye will And since
It's to talk secret business that we're
here-would ye like the door locked ?"
That is hardly essential." Des Tre-
bes reviewed his surroundings with
swift, searching glance. 1--WE are at
least secure from interruption; one
could ask little more"
True for ye," 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. I have your word and
am content"
That's the way of doing business
that like" assented O'Rourke heart
lily, warming a little to the man as he
turned back chair facing the vi
comte. Besides, l quarrel with no
mans right to be reasonable.
And now I'm at your service, mon
sieur"
Des Trebes, lounging back, knees
crossed, thin white fingers interlac-
ing, black eyes narrowing, regarded
the Irishman 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, ''to play blind
mans buff"
Am what?" asked O'Rourke, star
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per-
haps l fail to follow ye"
Il mean," explained the vicomte pa
tiently, that | have to offer you
commission to act under sealed Or
ders"-he tapped the envelope-"the
orders contained herein"
"And when would be free to open
that?"
"As soon as you are at sea-away
from France, Monsieur"
O'Rourke considered the envelope
doubtfully. From you, monsieur-from
the Government Of France, which you
represent" he said at length, "yes;
I will accept such a commission
France" he averred simply, knows
me; 1t wouldn't be asking me to do
anything gentleman shouldn't"
"You may feel assured of that"
agreed Des Trebes gravely. Indeed, 1
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 I
start?"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide, at ten minutes to
eight"
First to Paris; thence to Havre;
thence, by the first available steamer,
to New York; finally, it may be to
Venezuela, monsieur"
"Expenses?"
81 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. 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
Irishman. But to obviate all danger
of mistake, would it not be well to
have 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? 1 never
heard his name, even"
Des Trebes meditated this briefly.
''It shall be as you desire, monsieur. 1t
shall be arranged as you suggest"
Finally, then, what is to be my
recompense?"
THAT must depend. l 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-
ward will be doubled
"'Tis enough" said O'Rourke with a
sigh; 81 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 yet soft
and fresh; the wax had been hot with
in the half hour
81 will do myself the honor of meet