The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-11

monsieur is curious. there is this to be
told: She was, should say, a Jewess.
However. the villa Is let Monsieur
permits me to draw his attention to the
most charming and desirable residence
upon the whole Riviera, one mile from
San Raphael; perfect gem"
They listened. but It was obvious,
however. that the three men were no
longer deeply interested. Mr.. Lax
worthy. upon some excuse or another.
pressed fee into the hand Of the re-
luctant agent and took particulars Of
two Of the most desirable villas.
I'm a day or two" he declared, 1--WE
shall return. In the meantime We will
glance at these places on our way to
Monte Carlo. You might also give me
"A card to view the Villa de Cap Frinet.
1t is possible that the tenants may not
stay longer than the three months.
myself am likely to remain here until
june"
Monsieur Renaultin acquiesoed
promptly and made out the cards.
In less than an hour they were COM
PEELED tn slacken their pace. They were
on road now Of wonderful curves. and
every few moments brought them to
the very edge Of the Mediterranea
They skirted little sandy bays, where
brown faced fishermen gazed at them
with the stolid wonder OF their class.
Then the cur came to a standstill.
Before them was n little avenue with "A
nlfe nd tad 81 .
wall:
VILLA DE CAP FRINEr''
1T is here" Mr.. Laxworthy an.
nounced.
They did not at once descend. Mr..
LaxwOrthy seemed to be making OBJ
servations Of the locality. Presently he
pointed to a hill short distance ahead.
I'VE will ascend" he said. "There
we can judge"
The car shot forward. In q few
minutes they gained the summit of
steep ascent. From there, looking
downward, they could see the villa itself
"a strange little white building which
seemed. indeed. as though 1t had risen
like shell from the sea, with IA green
veranda, which almost encircled il,
Let US consider" Mr.. Laxworthy
said softly. I'VE are moving "A little
in the clouds. A false step lust now
might result In serio-s Inconvenience to
all Of u.s.
Anderson. who had been gazing at
the villa through a pair Of small field
glasses. laid them down.
II am convinced" he declared. that
at present, at any rate. the place is
empty"
1T has that appearance" Mr.. Lax
worthy admitted; "and yet to-day is the
twelfth Of February. Tonight should
be the night OF the great appointment.
We know we'll that yesterday afternoon
Nine, LaichenOn played baccarat in
the sporting club at Monte Carlo. We
also know that our friends left Hyeres
this morning, so the meeting place can.
not be far distant.
ITO reach here they would have to
go to Cannes and return. My idea is
that Cannes was the meeting place;
that from there they would motor here.
On that assumption they cannot arrive
for two hours and a half One would
imagine that the others would come
from Marseilles."
Sydney was listening with knitted
brOws.
1T Is all rather guesswork, isn't it?"
he remarked. 1T seems as though we
were stepping into a big thing blind
folded"
1T Is my principle" Mr.. Laxworthy
continued, ito proceed always upon as
sumptions. provided those assumptions
are logical and carefully thought out l
propose. therefore. having this card Ia
view the villa which we procured from
NJ. Renaultin. that we forthwith make
an inspection Of the place. There can
be no harm In that, nor very much
risk"
Sydney backed the car, and they
glided down the hill to the iron gate.
The paddock resisted their efforts to en-
ter; but Mr.. Laxworthy. with q curious
little instrument which he took from his
pocket, carefully picked the lock. He
examined the ground closely.
AT any rate" he said, mo one has
passed In by this entrance for several
days"
The descent was almost perpe ndicular,
down narrow and curvinK driveway,
on either side Of which were thickiy