The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-05-23

mans right 10 be reasonable. T.
And now I'm at your service. mon
sieur.'
Des Trebes. lounging back, knees
crossed. thin white fingers interlac-
ing. black eyes narrowing, regarded
the lrishman 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 a
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
hOhA tulCC, MOu5icuT.
ORourke considered the envelope
doubtfully. From you.m onsieur-from
the Government of France. which you
represent" he said at length, yes;
Will accept such a commission.
France" he ayerred 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 acceptr"
One moment-a dozen questions,
by your leave. When must I
start?"
Tomorrow morning by the Cote
d'Azur Rapide. at ten minutes to
eight"
And where will I be going?"
First to Paris; thence to Havre:
thence, by the first available steamer,
to New York: finally. it may be TO
Venezuela. monsieur"
Expenses? :"
Il 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. IL Is essential that your
connection with this affair shall be
kept secret; should you draw on the
government In this country. It would
expose you to grave suspicious. per.
haps to danger"
Il understand that" assented the
Irishman. but to obviate all danger
OF mistake. would 1t not be we'll TO
have OF your trusted agents meet
me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever We figure | might re-
quire? Ills barely possible your con
sul-general 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. II
shall be arranged as you suggest"
Finally, then. what is to be my
recompense?"
That must depend. | am authorized
to assure you that in no case will
you receive less than twenty-five thou
sand francs: In event OF a successful
termination OF your mission. the re-
ward will he doubled"
IT'S enough" said O'Rourke with a
sigh, accept.
The Frenchman rose, offering him
the envelope. You must pledge your
self. monsieur. not to break these seals
Until you are at scar"
"Absolutely-of course" O'Rourke
took the packet. weighed It c~uriously
IN his hand and scrutinixed the seals.
He remarked that they were yet soft
and fresh; the wax had been hot with.
In the half hour.
II will do myself the honor OF meet
ing you at the train to see you OF. mon.
sieur." said Des Trebes. AT that time.
also. will ! provide you with the funds
you require"
Thank ye."
Their hands met
Good night. Monsieur o'Rourke."
Good night.
Half way to the door. Des Trebes
paused. ON. by the way" he ex.
claimed ~carelessly. Il believe you are
a friend OF my old sc~hooLfellow, Cham
bret-mon cher Adolph?'
Ills So" assented the frfshman
warmly. The best OF men-cham-
brett"
odd" commented the vicomte:
''oaly this afternoon was thinking
OF him. wondering what had become
Of the man"
The last ! heard OF him. be was In
Algeria, monsieur--with some French
force IN the desert"
thank you !" On the point
e leaving the vioonIts snapped mis-
teeth on a second Good night" and
swore beneath his breath.
o,Rourke, surprised. stared. The
Frenchman was standing sttffly at At
tentioa. an II alarmed. His pallor was.
II possible. increased. hvid-his close
" shavcn beard showing blue black on
~ hsa7y towls and prominent CHA