Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-04-16
NUMBER is.

| his Italian was an Indifferent article.
But" pursued NJ. Ferraud, I'VE will
pay you 20 francs the day. Just the
same"
1--WE are promised" Carlo shrugged
and spread his hands, but the glitter
In his questioner's eyes disquieted
him.
whats this about?" growled the
admiral.
"The man says he must take US back
tomorrow or leave US, as he has prom
ised to return to Ajaccio to carry a
party to Bonifacio." NJ. Ferraud ex-
plained.
Then II we don't go tomorrow II
means a week in this forsaken hole?"
ut Is possible" NJ. Ferraud turned
to Carlo once more. 1--WE will make 1t
80 francs per day"
Impossible"
''Then you will return tomorrow
without u.s."
Carlos face hardened. But
"Come outside with me-" said n.
Ferraud In n tone which brooked no
further argument.
The two stepped out into the hall.
and when the Frenchman came back
his face was animated.
"M. Ferraud." said the admiral lei.
ly. my daughter has Informed ne
what passed between you. ! must say
that you have taken q deal upon your.
self"
"M. Ferraud is right" put IN F!'z
gerald.
You too?"
"Yes think the time has come for
NJ. Ferraud to offer full explorations
The butterfly hunter resumed his
chair "They will remain or carry us
on to COrte. From there We can take
the train back to Ajaccio. saving
day and n half Admiral. have
confession to make 1t will surprise
you. and / offer you my apologies ut
once He paused. He loved mo-
ments like this. when he could resort
to the dramatic in perfect security.
II was the man in the chimney"
The admiral gasped. Laura dropped
her hands to the table Cathewe sat
back stiiily. Coldfeld stared. Hide
garde shaded her face with the news.
paper through which she had been idly
| glancing.
"Patience. rs the admiral made as
though to press back his chair 'Mr
Fitzgerald knew from the beginning.
IL that not true:"
"It is. ". Ferraud. Go on
"Breltmann Is the great-grandson Of
Napoleon. by this time he is travel.
ing over some mountain pass with his
Inheritance snug under his hand. You
will ask. Why all these subterfuges.
this lodging IN and out? Thus. Could
| have found the secret Of the chin
ney-I worked from memOry-none OF
us would be here. and one OF the
great conspiracies Of the time would
have been nipped In the bud. What
do you think? Breitmann proposes to
go into France with the torch OF an
archy In his hand. and II he does he
will be shot. He proposes to divide
this money among his companions.
who. with their pockets full OF gold.
will desert him the day he touches
France. DO you recollect the scar on
his temple: II was not made by 81.
ber. 1t is the mark Of a bullet. He
received It while correspondent In
the Balkans. Well. II left II mark Oh
his brain also-that Is to say. he Is
conscious of what he does. but not
why he does It, He Is n sane man
with al obsession. This wound, to-
iyether with the result Of Germany's
brutal policy toward him and Frances
Indifference. has made him a kind OF
monomaniac You will ask why I. an
accredited agent IN the employ Of
France. have not stepped In and ar
rested him. My evidence might bring
him to trial. but II would never con
vict him. Once liberated Re would
begin all over again. meaning that !
also would have to start In NJ new
beginning. SO ! have let him proceed
to the end. and In doing so ! shall
save him in spite OF himself. You see.
] have bit of sentiment"
Hildegarde could have reached over
and kissed his hand.
"Why didn't he tell all this to me?'
cried the admiral. "Why didn't he tell
me? would have helped him"
rha ~
the money was only means. not an
end. The great-grandson Of Napoleon
well. he will never rise from his oh
scurity. and some time when the clouds
uft from his brain he will remember
me-"
And this whimsical turn caused even
the admiral to struggle with smile.
He was square. generous old sailor.
He stretched his hand across the table.
NJ. Ferraud took 1t. put with shade
Of doubt
"You are good man. NJ. Ferraud.
I'm terribly disappointed. All my life
! have been goose chasing for treas
ures. and this one had set my heart
on. You've gone about It the best you
could. II you Lad ,o.u .r from the
stlrt there wou,dn'i have been any
fun"
That is It." eagerly assented n.
Ferraud. "Why should ] spoil your
innocent pleasure? For month you
bave lived In fine adventure. and no
harm has befallen. And when You re-
turn to America you will have an un'
rivaled story to tell. but do not think
you will ever tell all Of 1t. He Will
have paid In wretchedness and hu'
initiation for his inheritance. And
who has better right to It? Every
coin may represent sacrifice. depri'
yation. and those who gave 1t freely
gaye It to the blood Is II sometimes
that YOU laugh at French sentiment?
"Not in Frenchmen like you." SAID
the admiral gravely.
Good. To men of heart what mat
ters the tOngueY'
Poor young man. sighed Laura.
"I am glad he has found 1t. Didn't
wish him to have itT
"And you knew all thisT said
Cathewe into the ear Of the woman ne
loved.
Thinh the word came through her
| lips. "Yes"
Cathewe's chin sank into his collar.
and he stared at the crumbs on the