The state herald., 1913-06-20

very luxurious cabin in the yacht, this
old woman was talking to me In
French-a strange medley that could
make nothing of, When was bettsr
she questioned me about everything,
saying Mon Dieu!' at every answer
made. Then she left and was gone q
long time; and when she came back,
that man was with her. learned aft
erward that he was called Monsieur
Chatelard. They both looked at me,
arguing flercely in such a furious
French that could not understand
more than half they said. They
looked as II they were appraising me,
like an article for sale, but Madame
Sofie held out steadily. on some point.
against Monsieur Chatelard. and final
ly 1t appeared that she converted him
to her own point of view. He went
away very angry, and I did not see
him again, except at distance. until
the night of the wreck"
Did you find out where they were
going. OF who was back OF theii
scheme?" p
mo, nothing: or very little. There
was money involved. could tell that.
But no names were mentioned. nor
any places that can remember. You
see. was III from the effects OF the
chloroform. and frightened. too.
think"
81 don't wonder" said Aleck, wrink
ling his homely face. He remained
silent while he searched. mentally
for clue.
81 found out, through my maid, who
arrived today. that some one of the
kidnapping party had been clever
enough to send false message to the
hotel, explaining my sudden depar
ture"
Il see, l see," said Aleck, going over
the story in his mind. And presently
Where does Hand come in' Art
how did Jim happen to be aboard the
Jeanne D'Arc?"
Hand was some sort of henchmar
to Monsieur Chatelard. believe. Ant
he told me that your cousin wal
picked up In New York harbor. swim
ming for life, 1t appeared. No ont
seemed to know any more"
Aleck stopped short. looked n
Agatha, pursed his lips for whistle
and remained silent. They had arrived
at the porch steps. and were tacitl,
waiting for the doctors to descend ant
give them. II possible, some encour
agement for the coming night. hu
the story OF the Jeanne D'Arc hn'
grown more complicated than Aleci
had anticipated. and much was yet Il
be explained. Aleck was slow. as al
ways. in thinking II through. but h
figured It out, finally, to certaii
point. and expressed himself thus
That's the way with your steady fel
lows; they're all the bigger fools whei
they do jump"
Pardon me, didn't catch"
"Oh, nothing" said Aleck. half II
ritably. Il only said Jim needed
poke, like that heifer over In the mex
field"
Agatha understood the boyish irr
tation, cloaking the love of the mai
"You may be able to get more Info
nation about your cousin from MI
Hand" she said. "He would be likel
to know as much as anybody"
We'll. however It happened. he
here nowl"
Though II It had not been for hi
fearful struggle for me he would no
have been 40 H." said Agatha misei
ably. Aleck, with one foot on the lo'
step Of the piazza. stopped and turne
squnrely toward her. His face was n
less miserable thnn Agathas. but b'
hind his wretchedness and anxiet
was some masculine reserve OF po~el
and longer view down the corridor
of time. He held her eye with loo
OF great earnestness.
81 love old Jim. Miss Redmond
We've been boys and men tosetheI
and good fellows always. But don
think that I'd regret his struggle 70
you. as you call II. even II II shoul
menn the worst. He couldn't hay
done otherwise, and I wouldn't hAy
had him. And n It's TO be IA HON
run-why. then. Jim would like thi
far better than to die OF old age G
liver complaint IT'S all right. Mis-
Redmond"
Alexis slow words came with
double meaning to Asatha. She hear
through them. echoes Of James Han
bleton's boyhood: she saw 4 picture
his strnight and dauntlesn youth. sh
held out TO Aieck hand that tren
bied. bu, her face shone with graf
tude.
Aleck took her hand respectfuil
kindly. in his warm grasp. "Besides
he said simply. I'VE won't give u
Hes rot n fighting chance yet"
Cro BE coNriNuEpJ