Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-09-25
(Copyright. 1913. bv W. G. Chapman)


w. G. Chapman)
daring minds behind the conspiracy
He faltered as he asked:
"One moment, Rosny. Is-does
Mademoiselle know of my projected
mission?"
1T is at her own suggestion
Rosny answered. And by your sue.
cesslul accomplishment of it, my
friend, you will undoubtedly win favor
with her and hasten the day when
her identity will be revealed to you
and you will acquire high rank in our
councils"
Jean Rosny had shrewdly guessed
Paul Lanes secret The American
blushed like a schoolboy; then. ris'
ing. he answered:
Il shall be ready to start when you
instruct me-
Good" answered the other. Nov,
PAU, you will have cause to exercise
diplomacy, for the Frenchmen are
utilizing the services of a very no
torious character-none less than
Mademoael!e Guepin."
"Of the Moulin Rouge" cried Paul
in surprise.
"Preciscly. 1t will not be the first
time that France will h I'VE made use
OF her women for the accomplishment
Of her purposes. The Sultan is no.
toriously susceptible to the charms of
the other sex, and it is said that
aIademoiselle Guepin has already
reached Fee, installed herself in the
household of the Sherecla, the Sui.
tan's principal wife, and begun to ac-
qure an unbounded influence over
her and him. So you see, Paul, that
YOU have a hard problem to solve.
Waste no time, then, but take the
next steamship from Marseilles to
Tangiers, and then-good luck to
you!"
Two days later Paul Lane sailed
for Morocco. In his pocket he car.
ried bills and gold coin to the value
of 100000. 1t was a case in which,
as 1t seemed to him. the possession
of money would play considerable
part. He lougcd to acquit himself
well of his mission All the way
tClOSS Iut NtAlttI 'LIlttli lS Va NdliI''
of the beautiful unknown Austrian
whom he had met only to lose 50
swiftly upon the shores of Long ISL
and. That was two months ago
Then he had been nothing but g2o.i'
tled clerk in the huge industrial Mill
of New York--uow he was playing a
mans part in the world, as he had al.
ways longcd to do.
At Tangiers he spent several days,
familiarizing himself with the conli
tions Of the country. Then, puTch@s
ing camels and the necessary OUTFIT
he Joined a caravan which was p.o
ceeding into the interior under the
protection of a bodyguard of French
troops.
He was amazed to find that the
presence of the Gucpin woman was
already known to the men, and even
the purpose of her mission. Her lie
had been an adventurous one. Born
on the road, into a company OF stroll
ling players, she had acquired rcpu
tatiou second to none amohG the ad.
yentureases of olden times, Minis
ters Of state. publicists, leaders OF
France had fallen victims to her lie.
fore it occurred to some high d.
tary of France to utilize her for the
conquest of the Moorish Sultan. She
had arrived in Tangiers a month or
two before, and had gone into the in
terror with a circus company, then
parading throughout Morocco with
its trained lions and performing ele'
phants, to the intense delight OF the
natives After a week in the capital
the circus manager had withdrawn to
ward the coast, loaded with honors-
but Guepin had remained the pro-
tegee of the Sultans principal lady
In her magnificent house in Fez
So much Lane rearned further de-
rails came to him unexpectedly on the
tenth morning, when there came
struggling along the road the rem
nants of the very circus which had
+, taken Guepin to Fez.
Never again do l enter Africa
; monsieur" said the proprietor to
Paul as they sat that night over the
campfire. Had | not gone to Fee l
, should now be in possession OF my
, animals-the finest lot that ever left
> France, and all imported by me from
, Monsieur Hagenbeck's menagerie at
, Hamburg and of my own training.
Now-see what is left! Assuredly
France must recompense me for my
losses"
but his majesty's presents" in
terrupted Paul.
= Gone, all gone, monsieur" cried
the owner, wringing his hands. "Stol
, en- by the accursed Moors. And the
star of my collection, the beautiful
and unrivalled Mademoiselle Guepin
even she is lost to me. Ah, mon,
, sieur. | worshipped that woman with
=. blind devotion. And she left me for
, what? For Moor, monsieur, ne
gro-for what else are these Arabs
but negroes masquerading as a.
a branch of the white race? For a
, black man and a handful Of jewels!
= 1t Is a treasure house, that palace In
J., Fez such as might turn the head OF
;. any woman. The marvels monsieur!
! There are moving picture displays,
+ the crowns of gold, rubies and sap
:. phires and pearls as large as eggs;
y mechanical toys and guns Of gold and
n silyer-it Is the wonder of the world!
q o, for an hour inside and a stout
a wagon in which to pack my choice Of