Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-02-02

,ulS Joseph vance,
1T is nothing!" the American 1ntel
posed brusquely between paroxysms
"But our winter climate, monsieur
it is not fit for those in the prime O
health"
1T is I who am unfit" Banno1
snapped, pressing a handkerchief t
his lips-"unfit to live!" he amended
ven0mously.
Lanyard murmured a conventional
expression of sympathy. Through i
all he was conscious of the regard O
the girl. Her scft, brown eyes me-
his candidly, with a look cool in it:
composure, straightforward in it's in
quiry, neither bold nor mock-demure
And If they were the first to fall, II
was with an effect of curiosity stated
without trace of discontinue. And
somehow the adyenturer felt himself
measured, classified, filed away.
Between amusement and pique he
continued to stare, while the elderly
American recovered his breath and
De Morbihan jabbered on with unfail.
ing vivacity; and he thought that this
closer scrutiny discovered in her face
contours suggesting maturity OF
thought beyond her apparent years.
which were somewhat less than the
sum of his own-and with this the
suggestion of an elusive, provoking
quality of wistful languor, a hint of
patient melancholy.
eve are off for glimpse of Mont
martre," De Morbihan was explain
ing-"M. Bannon and I. He has not
seen Paris in twenty years, he tells
me- Well, it will be amusing to show
him what changes have taken place
in all that time. One regrets made
moiselle is too fat.gued tc accompany
us. But you, my friend-now if you
would consent to make our third, 1t
would be NEST amiable of you
I'm sorry" Lanyard excused him.
self; "but, as you see, am only just
in from the railroad, long and tire
some journey. You are very good, but
T."
"Good?" De Morbihan exclaimed
with violence. II? On the contrary,
I am a. very selfish man; seek but
to afford myself the pleasure of your
company You lead such busy life,
my friend, romping about Europe,
here one day, God knows where the
next, that one must make ones best Of
US, surely"
REALLY I cannot tonight. Another
time, perhaps, if you will excuse me-"
tBut it is always the way!" De Nor
bihan explained to his friends with a
vast show of mock indignation. " An
other time, perhaps'-his invariable
response! I tell you, not two men in
all Paris have any real acquaintance
with this gentleman whom all Paris
knows! His reserve is proverbial-
as distant as Lanyard we say on the
ooulevards!"
And turning again to the adventur-
Or, meeting his cold stare with the De
Morbihan grin Of quenchless effron-
cry:
"As you will, my friend!" he grant
id. But should you change your
you'll have no trouble
hiding us. Ask any place along the
route. We see far too
title Of each other, monsieur-and I
I'm most anxious to have a little chat
With you.''
1T will be an honor" Lanyard re-
urned formally.
In his heart he was bordering sew
,ral most excruciating methods of ,
numbering the man. What did he !
mean? How much did he know? If |
le knew anything, he must mean i'll.
or assuredly he coult not be ign orant
# Roddy'S business or that every
,ther word he uttered was riveting
suspicion of identity with the Lone
Wolf or that Roidy was listening with
Ill his ears and staring into the bar
Jain!
Decidedly something must be done
o silence this animal, De Morbihan,
hould it turn out he really cid know
omething!
It was only after profound reflec-
ion over his liqueur-while Rcddy de-
cured his Daily Mail and washed it
own with thru bottle of Bass-that
lanyard summoned the maitre d'hotel
nd asked for a roCLc.
It would never do to fix the doubts
f the detective by going elsewhere
hat night. But, fortunately, Lanyard
new that warren which was Troyon's
S no one else knew it; Roddy would
md it hard to detain him should
vents seem to advise an early de-
arturo.
CHAPTER ".
A Stratagem.
When the maitre d'hotel had shown