The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-08-07


felt my own grow wet. Charles,
come here" he said. "She has the eyes
of my son Jules. It is true. See
why, do not weep. child"
His arms were round me now, and I
just at the moment of my completest
triumph was crying. And 1t was up
on his shoulder, too. He sustained me
like lover. o. my dear grandfather,
recall now with what practiced
hand you wiped away my tears. How
many women's tears had you wiped
away when you were young young.
like the chevalier?
What have always wondered at is
that neither of the two for the least
moment distursted me.
MY dear grandchild," said the old
comte. when grew calm, "the mem
DRY Of my treatment OF your father
embittered my whole life. Often
sought to find him, but he was too
proud to be reconciied. Now 1t Is too
late. But | shall lavish on you the
tenderness that have layished on him
so often In imagination"
Then, at his request, I told him the
entire story Of my visit to Europe, not
emitting mention of Leopold Magniff
and zeuxis. ended with brief ac-
count OF my interview with the old
banker.
Describe this Greek, this Zeuxis."
he said. when | added that thought
had seen his face In the crowd at the
coronation. Has he scar running
diagonally across his cheek, from
mouth to eyebrow"
He hast" cried. you know the
mann"
4 do" answered my grandfather.
and the chevalier nodded his assent.
You have described well-known spy
In the service of the Italian govern
ment. Beyond all doubt, Charles, 1t
was he who stole the papers from your
coat pocket. He Is a sleight-of-hand
expert, and was once a pickpocket,
believe, though now he flies at higher
game"
A sudden revelation came to me.
Then this must be the coup Of
which Leopold Magniff boosted to me-"
cried. Undoubtedly the scheme had
been already Matched on the boat when
he let 1t out to me in drunken mo-
ment."
They both assented.
you are right, my dear child" said
the comte. "But now, the point is,
how can we recover the draft of the
treaty? It may have been already sold
to the triple alliance; on the other
hand, 1t is in SO fragmentary a condi-
ton and reveals SO little that the con-
spirators may be holding it back with
view to obtaining a higher price
from France"
III they have already obtained pos
session of my bonds," | hazarded,
they may hold them as the price of
They cannot dispose of them" said
my grandfather. "At least, they can
but conceal them and prevent you
from obtaining them"
Then / told them of my agreement
with the banker. emitting nothing, not
even the motive that had inspired me
And SO you wished to help him in
his designs against Clichy, little
Anne" said the old comte mournfully,
when | had concluded God help us
all: the old estate must pass to this
arch-conspirator. It is now nearly
year since he unveiled his motive to
me. l, he says, snubbed him in his
younger days, when he purchased the
estate next mine. WE'LL perhaps so,
and thus am rightly punished. Times
change greatly. and the old order
passes. But 1t will be hard on your
mother, Charles"
He told me that he will have your
within two weeks" | said.
Unless twelve thousand francs of
interest appear mysteriously out of a
clear sky, think he WILL" the comte
answered. And doubtless you under
stand now why he was SO anxious to
purchase your bonds, and why he has
succeeded
YES" | replied. He feared that I
should place you in possession of them
md so enable you to pay off the mort
gage on Clichy"
The comte shook his head mourn
'ully.
But that Is the reason that his son
leopold gave me when we talked on
he boat" l exclaimed.
is 1t possible that either of that
'hrewd pair believed you to be SO al
truistic as to be willing to present
hem gratis to an old man, to save his
ands, Anne? No. my dear 1t is be-
,ause, SO long as those bonds were In
'our possession. you could have rem
Tered him bankrupt"
But he has millionsl" l cried in
And your bonds are worth, potent |
ally, billions" answered my GRANDPA |
her. Let me explain the matter to
'ou, Anne.
When the American government |
purchased the old, worthless Panama
,onds from the French company, the |
FOLDERS. dispersed as they were |
throughout the length and breadth of |
france were glad to let Them on for |