The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-03-06

the man undervalued me, he had taken
me at my own figure, and now, hold
Ing me in absolute contempt, he was
going to Begin on me.
Scarlet" he said, in English, 'let
us come to the point Team a merce-
nary American; you are an American
mercenary, paid by the French gov
ernment. You care nothing for that
government or for the country; you
would drop both today II your pay
ceased. You and | are outsiders; we
are in the world to watch our chances
| And our chance is here.
THE time is coming when the rich
est city In Europe will be put to the
sack. You don't believe it? Yet you
shall live to see Paris besieged, and
you shall live to see Paris surrender,
and you shall live to see the Interna-
| tionale rise up from nowhere, seize the
government by the throat, and choke
It to death under the red flag OF uni
versal-ahem! license"-the
faintest sneer came into his pallid face
-"and every city of France shall be
commune, and we shall pass from
city to city. leisurely under the law
our laws, which we will make-and
pity the man among US who cannot
place his millions in the banks of Eng
land and America"
He leaned forward in his chair, idly
twisting his crumpled bit OF paper in
one hand.
Il am not fool enough to believe
that our reign will last" he said. at
may last a month, two months, per
haps three. Then we leaders will be
at one anothers throats-and the
game is up! It's always so-mob rule
can't last-it never has lasted and
never will. But the prudent man will
make hay before the brief sunshine
is ended; l expect to economic
little, and set aside enough-well,
enough to make it pay, you see."
Hes bound to get to Paradise.
Why?" l wondered, and said, aloud.
What do you want of me?"
"I want immunity from the secret
police, Mr.. Scarlet"
There is one thing / want to ask
you," said I. why do you desire to
go to Paradise?"
We'll" he said, slowly, 81 shall not
tell you"
"Why not?" I demanded.
But I'll say this" he continued.
81 want you to come to Paradise with
me and that fool of woman. l want
you to report to your government that
you are watching the house in Para
disc, and that you are hoping to catch
me there"
You refuse to tell me why you wish
to stay at the house in Paradise?"
Eyes, l refuse. And, by
the-way, the Countess is to think that
have presented myself in Paris and
that the government has pardoned
me-"
He rose and walked to the window;
at the same moment l heard the sound
Of wheels below.
Il believe that is our carriage" he
said Are you ready to start Mr..
Scarlett?"
rs the Countess de Vassart to go
with us?" l asked, trying to find rea-
son for these events which were sue
ceeding one another too quickly to suit
me.
He gave me an absent-minded nod;
a moment later the Countess entered.
Buckhurst aided me to rise, the Count
ess threw my hussar jacket over my
shoulders and buttoned 1t. Il congrat- !
luate you on your conValescence," she
said, in a low voice. Lean on me,
monsieur"
By head swan; hips and knees were
without strength; she aided me down |
the stairway and out into the pale |
sunshine, where stood the same mud |
splashed, rusty vehicle which had |
brought us hither from La Trappe.
AS stood beside the carriage, won
dering how l was going to get in, /
felt an arm slip under my neck and
another slide gently under my knees,
and Buckhurst lifted me.
The Countess stepped into the car
riage and took her place beside me;
Buckhurst followed, seating himself
opposite us, and the Alsatian driver
to the box.
Your safe-conduct carries you to
the French outposts at Saverne," said
the provost dryly. "If there are no
longer French outposts at Saverne, you
may demand wise for your pass and
south to Strasbourg."
Buckhurst half turned towards the
driver. "Allez," he said, quietly, and
he two gaunt horses moved on.
'Is there railroad at Saverne?" l
asked.
you will take a train at Stras-
oourg," replied Buckhurst.