Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-05-10

= IlIl Iu - = - = inuIu =
where we can have . quiet little talk r
I'm not conscious Of the neces'
4 sity--'
"Oh, say!" Wertheimer protested
amiably. Don't be SO rotten shirty.
old top. Give chap chance. Be-
sides, received today bit Of news
from Antwerp ! guarantee will inter
est you"
Antwerp" Lanyard repeated. mys-
titled.
"Antwerp-where the ships sail
FROM" Wertheimer laughed-"not Am.
sterdam, where the diamonds fore
gather, as you may know"
Il don't follow you, I'm afraid"
II shan't elucidate until we're under
cover"
With brief hesitation Lanyard said
more placably: All right. But where
shall take your"
ANY quiet cafe will do. You can
readily find one"
Thanks no." Lanyard objected
dryly. III must confabulate with
gentlemen of your kidney, prefer to
do 1t under cover. Even dressed as !
am, might be recognized, you know"
But 1t was evident that Wertheimer
didn't mean to permit himself to be
rufaed.
Then will my modest diggings suit
your" he suggested pleasantly. 1--WE
taken suite in the Rue Vernet, just
back Of the Hotel Astoria, where we
can be as private as you please. That
is, II you've no objection"
None whatever"
Wertheimer gave him the number
and replaced the window.
His rooms in the Rue Vernet proved
to be small ground-floor apartment
with private entrance to the street.
"Took the tip from you." he told
Lanyard, as he unlocked the door. Il
dare say you'd be glad to get back to
that little rez-de-chaussee Of yours In
the Rue Roget. Ripping place. that.
By the way-judging from your ap-
parently robust state of health. you
haven't been trying to live at home
of late"
"Indeed?"
Indeed yes, monsieur! If I may
presume to interfere-Id pull wide OF
the Rue Roget for while-for as
long, at least, as you remain in your
present intractable temper"
Il fancy you're right" Lanyard said
carelessly, following, as Wertheimer
turned up the lights, into modest
salon. cozily furnished. "You live here
alone. understand"
"Quite-make yourself perfectly at
ease; nobody can hear us. And" the
Englishman added with a laugh, do
sit down take that chair there.
which commands both doors. If you
don't trust me-"
DO you think ought to-"
Hardly. Otherwise I'd ask you to
take my word that you're safe for the
time being. AS it Is, l shant be offend
ed II you keep your gun handy and
your sense of self-preservation run
ming under forced draft. But you
won't refuse to Join me in a whisky
and.soda?"
NO." said Lanyard slowly-"not If
We drink from the same bottle"
Again the Englishman laughed I'M
affectedly as, turning to side-table,
he fetched decanter, glasses, bottled
soda, box of cigarettes, and placed
them on a stand within Lanyard's
reach.
With all the ease and courtesy of q
practiced host he measured whisky
into Lanyard's glass till checked by
quiet Thank you," and helping him
self generously, opened the soda.
TN not ask you to drink with me"
he said with twinkle, "but-chin-
chin!" and fitting his glass, half emp
tied 1t at draft.
Muttering formally, at a disadvan-
tage and resenting it, Lanyard drank
with less enthusiasm, If without mis-
givings.
Wertheimer selected a cigarette and
lighted it at leisure.
WELL" he said, smiling through
cloud Of smoke, II think we're fairly
on our way to an understanding, con-
sidering that you told me to go to
hell when last we met!"
His spirit was irresistible. In spite
Of himself Lanyard returned the
smile. Il never knew man to take
It with better grace" he said, lighting
his own cigarette.
Resent it! liked it-you gave us
precisely what we asked for"
"Then," demanded Lanyard gravely,
IF that's your viewpoint, If you're de-
cent enough to see it that way-what
the devil are you doing in that gal
ley?"
Mischief makes strange bedfellows,
you'll admit. And II you think that q
fair question, what are you doing here,
with me?"
Same excuse as in the other in
stance-trying to find out what your
game is"
Wertheimer chuckled and eyed the
ceiling with an intimate grin. MY
dear fellow" he protested-"all you
want to know is everything!"
More or less" Lanyard admitted
gracelessly. "One infers you contem-
plate stopping this side of the channel
tor some time"
Meaning your impression is I made
It too hot for me?" Wertheimer inter-