Mountain advocate., 1916-04-14


find those others who await u.s."
"Not so fast!" Lanyard jnterposed.
"what am I to understand That you
wish me to accompany you to the
ah--den of the Pack"
Where else?" De Morbihan grinned.
But where Ia it?'
II am not permitted to say"
still one has ones eyes. Why not
satisfy me here?"
Your eyes, by your leave, monsieur,
will be blindfolded."
Impossible"
"Pardon--it is an essential"
Come, come, my friend-we are not
in the middle ages!"
II have no discretion, monsieur My
confreres--"
Il insist, there must be trust on both
sides, or no negotiations"
But assure you, my dear friend"
MY dear count, II lie useless ! am
determined. Blindfold? should say
not! This is not-need I remind you
again THE Paris Of Balzac and that
wonderful Dumas Of yours"
What do you propose, them" De
Morbihan inquired, worrying his mus
tache
What better place for the proposed
conference than hereT
'But not here, monsieur"
why not? Everybody comes here
1t will cause no gossip. l am here
I have come half way; your friends
must do as much on their part"
1T is not possible"
Then tender them my regrets"
would you give US away?"
Never that--one makes gifts to
ones friends only But my interest In
yours is depreciating so rapidly that,
should you delay much longer, 1t will
be on sale for the sum OF two SOUS"
"Oh-damn!" the count complained
peevishly.
with all the pleasure in life. But
now" Lanyard went on, rising to end
the interview. you must forgive me
for reminding you that the morning
wanes apace. | shall be going home
in another hour"
De Morbihan shrugged. "Out of my
great affection for you," he purred
venomously, Il will do my possible.
But I can promise nothing"
81 have every confidence in your
powers of moral suasion, monsieur"
Lanyard assured him cheerfully. "Au
revoir!"
And with this, not at all i'll pleased
with himself, he strutted of to an ad
joining table, where high-strung ses-
sion of chemin de fer was in process
possessed himself of a vacant chair,
and in two minutes was SO engrossed
in the game that the Pack was quite
forgotten.
In fifteen minutes he had won thrice
as many thousands of francs.
ranty minutes or half an hour
.. '"d vi mis- shoulder broke the
lisp OF his besetting passion.
Our table is made up, my friend"
De Morbihan announced with his mex.
tinguishable grin. We're waiting for
you"
Quite at your service"
Settling his score, and finding him
self considerably better OF than he
had imagined, he resigned his place
PEACEFULLY and suffered the count to
link arms and drag him away up the
main staircase to the second story,
where smaller rooms were set apart
for parties who preferred to gamble
privately.
80 it appears you succeeded" he
chafied his conductor good.humoredly
81 have brought you the mountain"
De Morbihan assented
One is grateful for small miracles"
But De Morbihan wouldn't laugh at
his own expense; for a moment, in
deed he seemed inclined to take UNI
bragg at Lanyard's levity. But the sud.
den squaring of his broad shoulders
and the hardening Of his features was
quickly modified by an uneasy, side
long glance at his companion. And
then they were at the door Of the
cabinet particulier.
De Morbihan raped, turned the
knob, and stood aside, bowling politely.