Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-04-20


| oning would have finished him, for the
other had been alert for just such
move, and the revolver was nearly
| level with Lanyard's head when he
/ seized it by the barrel, imprisoned the
woman's wrist with his other hand,
| and in two movements had possessed
| himself of the pistol without hurting
| its owner.
Don't be alarmed" he said quietly.
| I'm not going to do anything more
| violent than to put this out of COM
| mission
| Breaking it smartly, he shot
! shower CT cartridges to the floor. The
empty weapon itself he tossed into a
wastebasket beneath the desk.
Hope l didn't hurt you" he added
abstractedly-"but your pistol was In
my way!"
| He took a stride toward the door.
then hung there in hesitation, frown-
! ing absently at the woman. who, with
out moving. laughed quietly and eyed
| Lanyard Win a LWlnKIe OF malicious
| diversion.
The adventurer returned her stare
with one of thoughtful appraisal; from
| the first he had recognized in her a
| character of uncommon tolerance and
aliability.
Pardon, madame, but" he began
abruptly; then checked himself in con-
strained appreciation of his impudence.
IF that's permission to interrupt
your reverie," Nine. Omber remarked
Il don't mind telling you you're the
strangest burglar l ever heard Oft"
FOOTBALLS became audible on the
stairway-the hasty. scuff1ing sounds
of slippered feet
rs that you, Sidonie?" madame
called.
The voice of the maid replied Yes,
notwithstanding!
'Well-don't, just yet Wait there
till call you"
Very good, madame"
The woman returned complete at
tention to Lanyard.
Now, monsieur of two minds what
is it you wish?"
Why did you do that?" the adven-
turer asked, nodding toward the recep-
ton hall.
Tell Sidonie to wait instead of call
ing for help? Because-well, because
you interest me strangely I've a curl
Gus notion you're in desperate guam
Diary and about to throw yourself on
my mercy"
Il am" Lanyard admitted tersely.
"Ah! Now this does begin to grow
interesting! Would you mind telling
me why?"
Because, madame, have done you
a great service, and feel l can count
upon your gratitude"
The Frenchwoman's eyebrows lifted
at this. Doubtless monsieur knows
what he's talking about
Listen, madame. | am in love with
a young woman, an American,
stranger, and friendless in Paris. II
anything happens to me tonight, if l
am arrested or assassinated-"
rs that likely?"
Quite likely, madame. l have enc
mics among the Apaches and in my
! own profession as we'll. | have reason
to suspect that some of these are in
this neighborhood tonight l may pos
sibly not escape them. In that event.
this young lady of whom l speak will
| need a protector
And why must l interest myself in
her fate, pray?"
Because, madame, of this service
have done you. Recently, in London,
you were robbed"
The woman started and colored with
excitement. you know something of
my stolen jewels?"
Everything, madame; it was | who
stole them"
you? You are, then, that Lone
Wolff"
Il was, madame"
why the past tense?" the woman
demanded, eying him with a gathering
frown.
Because | am done with thieving
She threw back her head aid
laughed, but without mirth "a Likely
story, monsieur! Have you reformed
since l caught you here"
Does 1t matter when? | take it that
proof, visible, tangible proof of my sin
cerity, more than meaningless date.
would be needed to convince you"
mo doubt about that monsieur-the
Lone Wolff"
Gould you wish better proof than
that of restoration of your stolen prop
erty?"
Are you trying to bride me to let
you off with an offer to return my
jewels?'
I'm afraid emergency reformation
wouldn't persuade you"
you do well to be so afraid"
But if can prove I've already re-
stored your Jewels"
But ySu cannot"
eff madame will do me the favor to
open her safe she will find them there
-conspfcuously placed"
What nonsense"
Am l in error In assuming that
madame didn't return from England
until quite recently?"
But today, in fact
and you haven't troubled to inves-
tigate your safe since returning?"
1T had not occurred to me"
Then why not test my assertion be-
foro dopv;,,o