, 1912-04-04

scarcely tnnt / tried TO talk like
they do in stories. with this result. The
maxim Is. Always strike first and ques.
lion afterward You warn your father
quietly while | hunt up Ferraud and
Cathewe."
Seeing that he was really uninjured,
she turned and flew down the dark
corridor and knocked at her fathers
door.
Fitzgerald stumbled along toward M
Ferraud's room murmuring: "All right,
Mr.. Breitmann: all right. But hang
me If don't hand you back that one
with interest. Where is hat French
MANI as he hammered on Ferraud'>
door and obtained nj response. He
tried the knob The door opened. The
room was black. and he struck a
match. NJ. Ferraud, fully dressed. lay
upon his bed. There was a handker
chief over his mouth. and his hands
and feet were securely bound. His
eye were open.
The hunter of butterflies rubbed his
released wrists and ankles, tried hi,
collar, coughed and dropped his Leg
to the floor.
81 am getting old" he cried In sell
communion, ''nearsighted and old. I've
worn spectacles so long in jest thai
now l must wear them in earnest!'
How long have you been here?'
asked Fitzgerald.
81 should say about two hours. Ii
was very simple. He came to the door
l opened 1t. He came in. Zut! He H.
as powerful as a lion"
why didn't you callF'
81 was too busy, and suddenly It be
came too late. Gone?"
Yes" And Fitzgerald swore as h,
rubbed the side OF his head. Bried,
he related what had befallen him.
You have hunted butterfiies?'
mo" sharply. Shall we start foi
him while his heels are hot?"
Il have laid the trap. He and hi,
friend will walk into 1t. am not {
police officer, | make no arrests. My
business is 70 avert political calami
ties without any n knowing tina
these calamities exist. That is tn,
real business of q secret agent. lie
him dig up his fortune. The traI
Is set. and in forty-eight hours II will
" SIp ms ne tulul. lily son. 10
night we should not find a horse o
carriage in the whole town Of Ajaccio
But what are you going to do?'
Go to Aitone TO find a hole In the
ground"
But the admiral!'
lie him gazc into the hole and ther
tell him what YOU will. owe hin,
that much. Come on"
"Where?"
ITO the admiral to tell him his sec
rotary is a fine rogue and that he has
stolen the march on us A good chas
will soften his final disappointment
! will tell you this: ! am playin.
against desperate men. and the liber
ty. perhaps honor. OF one you love T..
menaced They are coming. Not y
word"
The admiral's fury was boundless
and his uttern noes were touched her
ard there by strong sailor expressions
the scoundrel. the %blackleg! And
he had trusted him without reserva
ton! He wanted to start at one,
Laura finally succeeded In calmin
him. and the cold reason OF NJ. Fee
raud convinced him of the folly nr
haste. Every one OF the party was N
Ferraud's room. and their voices hun
med N murmured. and their arm
waved. Only one of them did Fer
raud watch ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. How
would she act now?
Fitzgerald's head still rang. and nov
his mind vas being tortured. Laura
in danger from this madman2 20
over his body first. over his dcrh
body. How often had he smiled II,
that phrase, but there was no mc'o
drama in 1t now. Her liberty md
perhaps her honor! His strong fingers
worked convulsively to put them round
the blackguard's throat.
Your head is all right now7'' as
she turned to follow the others from
the room.
at was nothing" He forced a sn,'lc
to his lips I'm as a. as a 40 10
CpsnupuoO go oil