The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1915-02-25

him a French doctor. brought in this
morning from the Chateau of la
Trappe"
He turned his grim. infleNible face
to the Countess and bowed. then he
bowed to me. swung squarely on his
heel. and walked to the door.
Admit the French DOCTOR" he said
to the soldier on guard, and marched
out, his curved saber banging behind
his spurred heels
1T must be DR.. belmont" | said.
looking at the Countess as there came
a low knock at the door,
She rose unsteadily from her chair:
somebody entered the room behind
come. doctor"
Thank you" replied the calm voice
Of John Buckhurst at my elbow.
The Countess shrank aside as Buck
hurst coolly passed before her, turned
his slim back to the embew OF the
fire. and fixed his eyes on me-those
pale. slow eyes. passionless as death.
"My friend" he observed in Eng
fish, "do you think you will know me
again when you have finished your
scrutiny"
The Countess. face averted. passed
behind my chair.
Wait" said Buckhurst; and turn
ing directly to me. he added You
were mistaken for hussar at La
Trappe: you We're mistaken here for
a hussar as long as the squad holding
10 ;,,
few moments ago the provost mistook
you for civilian" He looked across
at the Countess. who already stood
with her hand on the doorknob
'lf you disturb me-" he said. II have
only to tell the provost the truth.
Members of Imperial Police caught
without proper uniform inside German
lines are shot. seance tenante."
The Countess stood perfectly still a
sloment, then came straight to me.
Madame" said Buckhurst, in his
peculiarly soft and persuasive voice.
81 am not here to betray this gentle
man: am not here even to justify
myself. ! came here to make repara-
ton, to ask your forgiveness, madame.
for the wrong | have done you. and
to deliver myself. II necessary. into
the hands OF the proper French AL
thoritiss in expiation OF my misguided
zeal"
81 do not exactly understand" said
l. "how you can expiate crime here. "
81 can at least make retribution." he
said. turning the paper box over and
over between his nat fingers.
Have you brought me the diamonds
which belong TO the state?" inquired.
amused.
Yes" he said. and to my astonish.
ment he drew a small leather pouch
from his pocket and laid it on my
blanket.covered knees How many
diamonds were there" he asked.
"One hundred and three" | replied,
incredulously. and opened the leather
pouch. Inside was bag OF chamois-
skin. This ! stretched wide and emp.
tied
Scores of little balls of tissue. pa per
rolled out on the blanket over my
knees: | opened one; It contained "A
diamond ! opened another. another.
and another; diamonds lay blazing on
my blanket. whole handful glitter.
ing In undimmed splendor.
Count them" murmurcd Buck,
hurst. fashioning the paper box into
n iiy.trap- with a lid.
With a quick movement | swep,
them into my hands. then one by one
dropped the stones. while | counted
aloud one hundred and two diamonds
! Tho hnnIv,I 81
OF course. safely in Paris.
When ! had second time finished
tho enumeration ! leaned back in my
chair. utterly at loss to accoun,
for this man or for what he had done.
As far AS ! could see there was no
logic in 1t. nothing demonstrated. moth.
ling proven. To me-and I am not
either suspicious or obstinate by ma.
ture-Buckhurst WAS s,li an unrepep.
tant thief and n dangerous one.
"Mr. Buckhurst." said, pompously
"in bringing these diamonds to me you
have certainly done all In your power
to repair an Injury which concerned
all France.
AS ] am situated. OF course can.
not low ask you to accompany me 10
Paris. where doubtless the proper au,
thoritics would gladly ndmit cxtenua'.
Ing circumstances. and crodi, you with
n SINGER" repentance. But | put you
on your honor to surrender Mt the frs,
opportunity"
II was ns stupidity tri,c n speech aa
! could think OF.
Buckhurst glanced up at me. Was