The Washington herald., 1915-04-25

ndu reaQ IL.
What did it say"
.Something like this: BE at the Boule-
ward Maillot at 9 this evening with the
documents relating to the business. In
exchange, the letters When dinner was
over. 1 went up to my room and came
on here"
/ took them to the big room. We found
that there was just space for the three
of US under the chimney mantel. and that
we could hide behind the velvet curtain.
Mime. Andermatt sat down between
Daspry and myself. We had a view of
the whole room through the Sits in the
hangings.
The clock struck Q. A few minutes
later the garden gate grated on its
hinges.
A man entered a room. and I at once
recognized Alfred Warm by his strong
resemblance to his brother Etienne. He
came in with the anxious air OF man
who Is accustomed to fear ambushes
around him. who suspects them and
avoids them.
sound of footsteps approached. NJ.
Andermatt appeared upon the threshold.
The banker uttered an exclamation of
surprise.
You. You. Was it you that sent for
me?"
Il. Not at all. came because of
your letter"
IT never wrote to you
You never wrote to met!
Instinctively Varin took up a position
of defense. not against the banker. but
against the unknown foe who had drawn
him into this snare. For the second
time his eyes turned in our direction,
and. with a quick step, he moved to-
ward the door.
NJ Andermatt blocked his way.
Let me pass
No. no. no. you shall not pass
Warm fell back. cowed by the bankers
resolute attitude. and mumbled:
BE quick. then; say what you have to
say. and be done with it,
After moment NJ. Andermatt went
up to Varin. and. standing right in front
Of him and looking him straight in the
eyes said:
Now that years have passed. and that
you have nothing more to fear. answer
me frankly. Warm. What have you done
with Louis Lacombe? You and your
brother followed his every footstep. you
almost lived with him in this very house
where We are standing. You knew all
about his work. all about his schemes.
And on that last evening. Warm. when l
saw Louis Lacombe to my front door. I
caught sight of two figures lurking in
the shadow. 1t was your brother and
you. Varin.'
prove it,
Why. the best proof is that, two days
later you yourself showed me the papers
and plans which you had found in La
combe's PORTFOLIO and offered to sell
them to me. How did those papers come
into your possession
81 told you, NJ. Andermatt. that We
found them on Louis Lacombe's table the
next morning after he had disappeared"
That's a lie
Prove it,
THE police could have proved it,"
why didn't you 20 TO the police?"
why? All. why?'
He was silent, with gloomy face
'.You see. NJ. Andermatt, II you had
had the least certainty, you would not
have allowed our little threat to pre-
vent YOU
What threat? Those letters? Do you
imagine that I ever believed for mo-
ment-'
"If YOU did not believe in those let
tiers. why did you offer me untold money
to give them up? And why. since then.
did you have my brother and me hunted
like wild beasts?'
ITO recover the plans which I wanted"
Nonsense! You wanted the letters.
Once I'm possession of the letters you
would have informed against Us. You
didn't catch me parting with them!' A
sudden fit of laughter interrupted him.
But enough of this. So We'll drop the
subject"
1--WE will do nothing of the kind" said
the banker, land. now that you have
spoken of the letters. you shall not go
from this place without handing them
over to me"
tctA 10 d.
wise you
You shall not CO.
I'VE shall see." said Varin. in so fu
rious a tone that Nine. Andermatt stifled
a faint cry.
He must have heard it. for he tried to
pass by force. NJ. Andermatt pushed
him back violently. Then / saw him
slip his hand into his jacket pocket.
A shot rang out The weapon fell to
the ground
I was dumfounded. The shot had been
who with a pistol bullet. had dashed the
revolver out of Alfred Varin's hand!
Standing suddenly between the two ad-
facing Varin. he sneered:
You're lucky. my friend, you're jolly
lucky! aimed at your hand and hit
your revolver" Both men stared at
him in confusion. He said to the banker:
Forgive me. sir. for interfering in what
does not concern me. But really you
play your cards very badly. Let me hold
them for you
Turning to the other:
Now. then. my lad: and play the
game. please. Hearts are trumps. and I
lead the seven!'
And he banged the iron plate with the
seven red pips within three inches of
Varin's nose.
Never did see a man so taken aback.
Livid. his eyes starting from his head.
his features distorted with agony, Warm
seemed hypnotized by the sight before
him.
"Who are you?" he stammered. What
do you want?''
IAN that you've brought
I've brought nothing
Yes, you have, or you wouldn't have
come. You received a note this morning
telling you to be here at o'clock. and
to bring all the papers you had. Well.
you're here. Where are the papers?"
Warm. now entirely subdued. pointed
to one of his pockets:
The papers are in there"
Are they the copies or the originals?
THE originals
II want them. I'll give you 5000 francs.
Not a sou more"
Ten thousand. Not q sou less
agreed"
Daspry turned to NJ. Andermatt.
BE good enough. sir. to sign a check"
The banker took out his stylograph
and filled in and signed the check Warm