The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-03-15

Because -. :" ORourke paused,
vague suspicious taking shape in his
mind. why did he ask about Cham
brett" he demanded How could he
have learned that the jewel was with
him?"
He Jumped up and began to pace
the floor.
His wife rose. grave with conster'
nation. what" she faltered-"what
makes you think, suspect"
Because the fellow lied to me about
you this very night. Ye were with
Lady Plinlimmon in the Casino, were
We not? Faith. and didn't see We?
was in chase of We when the man
stopped me with his rigmarole about
representing the French government
and having a secret commission for
me. Ye heard him just now. :.
And when asked him was he of your
party. he denied knowing Lady Pin
limmon. He made a later ap.
pointment with me here. to talk
things over. I'm thinking he only
wanted time to think up scheme for
getting me out of the way. Also. he
wanted to find out where Chambret
was. Dye not see through his little
! game? To get me away from Monte
Carlo by the first morning train. that
we might not meet: to get me on the
first Atlantic liner, that | might not
interfere with his plot against Cham
bret. For what other reason would he
give me sealed orders? Sealed or
ders!" O'Rourke laughed CURLY. TAX
ing the long envelope from his pocket
and tearing it open. Behold his
sealed orders. II We pleased"
He shuffled rapidly through his fin
| gers six sheets of folded letter paper.
| guiltless OF single pen-scratch.
crumpled them into a wad and threw
it from him.
What more do need to prove that
he's conspiring to steal the Pool of
Flame and claim for himself the re-
ward? -. A bankrupt. discred.
tied. with nothing but his title and
his fame as duelist to give him
standing; is 1t wonderful that he's
grasping at any chance to recoup his
fortunes" He took a swift stride to-
ward the door. halted. turned. "And
young Glynn?" he demanded. WAS
he with you. and was he thick with
this precious rogue of a vicomte?"
"They were much together"
Faith, then it's clear as window
glass that the two OF them. both
broke, have figured out this thing be-
tween them. Well and good!
| want no more than hint of warn
Ing. y
He was interrupted by knocking.
With start and muttered exclama-
ton he remembered Van Einem, and
stepped to the door and out into cor
ridor, shutting the woman In.
She. remained where he had left
her, her pretty brows knitted with
thought, for time abstractedly con-
scious OF a murmur Of voices in the
hallway. These presently ceased as
the speakers moved away. She turned
to one of the windows. leaning against
its frame and staring at the ominous
flicker and flare of sheet-lightning
which lent the night a CHASTITY lumin'
osity.
A cool breeze sprang up. bellying
the curtains. The woman expanded to
II, reviving In it's fresh breath from
the enervating influence of the even
ings still heat. Her intuitive facul-
ties began to work more vivaciously;
she began to divine that which had
been mysterious to her ere now.
IL
The lightning grew more intense
and incessant. the thunder beating the
long roll of the charge. A heavy
gust of air chill as death made her
shiver. She shrank away from the
windows. little awed. wishing for
O'Rourkes return. wondering what
had made him leave her so abruptly.
Then suddenly she knew. :.
She could have screamed with hor-
ror.
Almost simultaneously the door
slammed; her husband had returned.
With a little cry she flung herself
upon him. clinging to him. painting.
sobbing.
Tell me-" she demanded. what you
intend to do? Do you mean to fight
him-Des Trebes?"
I'm the morning" he answered
lightly. holding her tight and comfort
ing her. "'Tis unavoidable: I pro-
voked his challenge. He was obliged
to fight But don't let that worry
ye--"
"Oh. my dear. my dear!" She
sobbed convulsiycly upon his breast.
Twill be f,othing--hardly that; an
annoyance-no more. Believe me.
dear"
what can you mean"
(ro BE CoNTINUED)
/ .
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