The Southern herald., 1912-05-03

lu6s uidCA eyes uhLTOMAu6s ASbdANSN
the Irishman thoughtfully for a mo-
ment. Abruptly he sat up and re-
moved from an inner pocket a long
thin white envelope. thrice sealed with
red wax and innocent of any super
scription whatever
Are you prepared, monsieur" he
demanded incisively, ito play blind
mans buff?"
Am | what?" asked O'Rourke, star
tied. Then he smiled. Pardon; per
haps | fail to follow ye."
Il mean" explained the vicomte pa
tiently, that | have to offer you q
commission to act under sealed or
ders"-he tapped the envelope-"the
orders contained herein"
"And when would | be free to open
that?"
"As soon as you are at sea-away |
from France, Monsieur"
O'Rourke considered the envelope
doubtfully. From you, monsieur-from
the Government of France, which you
represent" he said at length, yes;
will accept such a commission.
France" he averred simply, knows
me; II wouldn't be asking me to do
anything a gentleman shouldn't"
"You may feel assured of that,
agreed Des Trebes gravely. Indeed, l
venture to assert you will find this
let us say-adventure much to your
liking. Then you accept?"
zone moment-a dozen questions,
by your leave. When must |
start?"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide. at ten minutes to
eight"
And where will be going?"
First to Paris; thence to Havre;
thence, by the first available steamer,
to New York; finally, 1t may be to
Venezuela, monsieur"
"Expenses?"
II will myself furnish you with funds
sufficient to finance you as far as
New York. There our consul-general
will provide you with what more you
may require. It is essential that your
connection with this affair shall be
kept secret; should you draw on the
government in this country, 1t would
expose you to grave suspicious, per-
; haps to danger"
Il understand that" assented the
Irishman. But to obviate all danger
of mistake, would it not be we'll to
have one of your trusted agents meet
: me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever ye figure might re
i quire? 'Tis barely possible your con
sulgeneral might not recognize me In
New York. Why should he? never
heard his name, even"
Des TrebeS meditated this briefly
1T shall be as you desire. monsieur.
e shall be arranged as you suggest"
d Finally, then, what is to be m!
II recompense"
THAT must depend. am authorized
e to assure you that in no case will
you receive less than twenty-five thou
ID sand francs; In event Of successful
n termination of your mission, the re
q. ward will be doubled"
"'Tis enough" said O'Rourke with
n. sigh; Il accept"
W The Frenchman rose, offering hi1
le the envelope. You must pledge you
| self, monsieur, not to break these seal
until you are at scar
of "Absolutely-of course" O'Rourk
IA took the packet, weighed it curiousl
in his hand and scrutinized the seal
l. He remarked that they were yet so
- and fresh; the wax had been hot wit
in the half hour.
>, 81 will do myself the honor of NEE
y ing you at the train to see you off, mo
- sieur," said Des Trebes. "At that tim
a. also, will provide you with the funt
you require"
Thank ye."
"a Their hands met.
~ ~ Good night, Monsieur O'Rourke."
20 Good night. :"
Half way to the door, Des Treb
paused. "Oh, by the way" he g
q" claimed carelessly, Il believe you a
friend of my old school-fellow, Cha
i bret-mon cher Adolph?"
iIn "Tis So" assented the Irishm
al warmly. "The best of men-Cha
'ne brett"
"Odd," commented the vicomt
lie only this afternoon | was think
rst of him, wondering what had becoI
en- of the man."
to "The last heard of him, he was
box Algeria, monsieur-with some Fren
pa force In the desert"
Thank you :" On the po
his Of leaving the vicomte snapped
on teeth on second Good night" a
lfh- swore beneath his breath.
and O'Rourke. surprised, stared. I
Frenchman was standing stiffly at
ess tention, as If alarmed. His pallor W
art If possible, increased, livid-his clc
he ly shaven beard showing blue-black
vi. his heavy jowls and prominent, cf