The Washington herald., 1912-12-29
But. Monsieur

Il told you that If you did not re-
port to me by a certain time this after
noon and bring me evidence in the
De Lussac affair that l would dismiss
you Now. listen TO me. ] am not a
master who demands impossibilities. |
imposed the time limit on you as a
punishment for the manner in which
you allowed yourself to criticise my
methods. Yo1 sneered at Gaussin, an
able man who, at all events, did his
best, and you-what have you done
You have done nothing"
Excuse me, Monsieur
"Silencel / do not wish to hear the
tale of your deeds. I have had to dip
my hands into this affair myself Mon
sieur de Lussac is in prison and the
matter is ended"
Mon Dieu, Monsieur cried La
venue, what is this you tell me? Mon
sieur de Lussac in prison"
"Silencel | wish to have no more
TO say to you. Coz
But, Monsieur, will you not listen
to just one word"
Not half a word! Begoner
Lavenne dropped his head, contem-
plated the pattern Of the parquet for
a moment. then, with the ghost of a
smile on his lips. he bowed profoundly
to the minister of police, turned, and
left the room.
De Sartines went to the bureau
opened his Snuff-box and took pinch
Scamp! That will teach him. IT'S
a pity, too, for the fellow was moi
without cleverness-'
He turned, for German had Just en-
tered the room.
81 beg your pardon, Monsieur"
Whatever German was about to say
was cut short by knock at the door
leading to the corridor. The dooi
opened and the usher appeared.
"a lady has called, your excellency
and desires an interview"
Il can see no one" replied De Sar-
tines, CHANGING at the clock. 81 have
letter to write before supper. What
is her name!"
Madame la Baronne Linden, Mon.
sieur."
Madame Lindenl" cried De Sar.
tines, starting slightly. Tel he'd g.
He paused for a moment as If undo
cided. Then he made up his mind.
81 will sec her"
The usher vanished.
Now, what can this mean?" He
turned to German, who had not left
the room.
Which. Monsieur"
This visit?"
Il don't know. Monsieur"
"Blockheadl Go. leave me-" He
turned, and as German vanished into
his Office the door opened and the
usheTs voice announced: Madame Ia
Baronne Linden"
Never had the door of the octagor
chamber formed so perfect a picture as
that which now greeted De Sartines
eyes.
He had seen Madame Ia Baronnc
several times before this, but always al
a distance; now, close to him, he
could appreciate fully her charm. He
bowed low as the usher closed the
door.
Good evening. Madame"
Good cycri.S. MolsiSlr ldIs;
apologize for this late visit, but mi
business is of so urgent a nature that
! could not wait till Tomorrow
Madame" said De Sartines with
that perfect falseness which was onc
Of his charms, II have had three pleas
ures to-day The first was an inter-
view with his majesty, the second ar
act of charity which heaven gracious
ly permitted me to perform, and the
third"
Yes, Monsieur
The pleasure of seeing so charm
ing a lady in this grim room"
"Oh. Monsieur, not so grim"
Since you entered il" replied he
bowling.
Madame Linden took the chair tc
which he waved her, sat down, sighed
and cast her eyes about her
Perhaps, indeed. Monsieur, it will
be grimmer when / leave it. For they
say that even the ugliest woman takes
something charming away with her
from place where she is no longer
Madame" said De Sartines, "a
woman can never take anything more
charming away with her than that
which she brings"
Then, Monsieur" replied she, ''ir
my case you must reverse your opin-
ion, for l bring a very uncharming
thing with me-"
And what is that, Madame?"
IAN accusation"
AN accusation against whom, Mad
ame?"
your agents of police. Monsieur
De Sartines paused for moment as
a chess-player pauses over a move. He
pushed an armchair from the wall,
then he took his seat
From your lips, Madame" said he,