, 1912-04-11

for letting him go. Will you tell me
one thing? Did he ave offend you in
any way?'
"a woman would not call 1t an of
Tense" a CLINT of humor in her eyes
Real oTcnse. no."
HE proposed to your"
The suppressed rage in his tone
would have amused If IT hadn't thrill
ed her strangely. ut would have
been a proposal IL I had not stopped
It. Good night"
He could not see her eyes very we'll
there was only one candle burning.
Impulsively he snatched at her hand
and kissed 1t. With his life, II need
be-aye. and gladly.
Fitzgerald found himself alone with
Ferraud again. The secret agent was
confident.
at all lies in the hollow of my
hand. Breitmann made one mistake.
He should nave pushed me off the
boat into the dark. He knows that |
know. And there he confuses me.
But | repeat he is not vicious. only
mad"
Where wi. 1t beg"
at will not be-" And NJ. Ferraud
smiled as he livened up the burnt
wick of his candle.
"Treachery on the part of the driv-
ers? oh. don't you see that you can
trust me wholly?"
We'll. II will be like this" And re-
%luctantly the secret agent outlined his
plan. Now go to bed and sleep. for
you and | shall reed some to draw
upon during the next three or four
days. Hunting for buried treasures
was never n junketing, The admiral
will tell you that. At dawn"
Dawn came soon enough. yellow
and airless.
My dear said Mrs. Coldfeld. 81
really wish you wouldn't 60"
But Laura and Miss Won Mitter in
sist on going. ! can't back out now"
protested Coldfeld. What are you
worried about-brigands. gunshots and
all that?"
He will be a desperate AN"
ITO steal n chest full of money is
one thing: TO shoot a man is another.
Besides. the admiral will go II he has
to go alone. and | can't desert him.
'bll1eIu Uuckleu. u gel Dehiliu
him every time | think Of it,"
kiss me. They are waiting for you.
And be careful"
1t was only n little brave comedy.
She knew this husband and partner OF
hers, hard headed at times, but full of
loyalty n courage. and she was con
fdent that If danger arose the chances
were he would he getting in front in
stead of behind the admiral. A pang
touched her heart as she saw him
spring into the carriage.
The admiral had argued himself
hoarse about Laura's going, but he had
10 give in when she threatened to hire
a carriage on her own account and fol
low. Thus Coldfield went because he
was loyal to his friend. Laura because
she would NOT leave her father. Hide
sarde because to remain without know
ing what was happening would have
driven her mad. NJ. Ferraud because
ii was n trick in the game and Cathewe
and Fitzgerald because they owed haz'
ard. because they were going with the
women they loved The admiral alone
went for the motive apparent to all
to lay hands on the scoundrel who had
betrayed his confidence.
So the journey into the mountains
began.
Fitzgerald keenly inspected the driv
erS. but found them Of the ordinary
hreed. in velveteens. red sashes and
soft felt hats. AS they made the noon
stop N thing struck him as peculiar.
The driver of the provision carriage
mad little or nothing to do with his
companions. THAT is because he is
mine" explained NJ. Ferraud in a whis
per. They were all capable hOrsemen
and on This Journey spared their horses
only when absolutely necessary. They
arrived at CargheSe at 3 In the AFTER
noon. The admiral was for pushing
Oh, driving all night. He stormed. but
Tie drivers were obdurate. Al Car
CHEESE they would remain till sunrise:
That was final Besides, it was not
safe nj night without moonshine, for
many a mile OF the Dad Tipping ire
mendous precipices was without curb
or parapet. Not a foo till dawn.
In the little inn. dignifed but not i'm
proved by the name of Hotel de
france, there was room only for the
Two women and the older men. Fit7-
gerald and Cnthewe had to bunk the
o@st they could In IL tenement at the
upper end of the town: i've cots in II
S'nglc room, carpetless and Ovenlike
LOT he heat. Cathewe got into his pa
jalhaS aud sat upon the bed Jack. |
.nohght | knew something about this
teI"w hreitniann. but 1t seems I've
something TO learn"
me OUNCE man said nothing.
was that yarn OF Ferraud's fact or