Mountain advocate., 1916-06-02

ket1<A -.
Lanyard made no reply. but his
heart sank. and he shivered imper
ceptibly with foreboding. He enter
tanned no doubt but that the worst had
happened, that to the number Of his
enemies in Paris was added Ekstrom
One furtive glance confirmed this
inference. He swore bitterly. II pr.
vately, and with . countenance Of
childliks blandness, as he slipped the
coffee and finished his cigarette.
who 10 II, them" she asked. do
you know himf"
He reckoned swiftly against distress
Ing her. recalling his mention Of the
fact that Ekstrom was credited with
the Huysman murder.
Merely . hanger-on Of Dc Morbi
hams" he told her lightly; "a spine
less animal-no trouble about soaring
him Of. Here-take this note. please;
well 60 now. But a. we reach the
door, turn back-and 90 out the other
You'll ind Q taxi without trouble. And
stop for nothing!"
He had shown foresight In paying
when served. and was consequently
able to leave abruptly. without giving
Ekstrom time to shy. Rising smartly
he pushed the table aside. The girl
was no less quick and little less sen
sitive to the strain Of the moment: but
as she passed him her lashes lifted
and her eyes were all his for the in
slant.
Good night" she breathed-"good
night-my dearl"
She could have guessed no more
shrewdly what he needed to nerve him
against the impending clash. He
hadn't hesitated as to his only course
but till then he'd been horribly afraid
knowing too well the desperate cast OF
the outlawed Germans nature. But
now. since she had spoken, he couldn't
fail.
He strobe briskly toward the en-
trance from the boulevard, out of the
corner Of his eye aware that Ekstrom
taken by surprise, had half started
from his chair, then sunk back.
Two PAGES from the door the girl
checked herself. murmured in French
"Oh. my handkerchief" and turned
briskly back.
Without pause. as though he hadn't
heard. Lanyard threw the door wide
and swung out, turning directly to the
spy. At the same time he dropped q
hand into the pocket of his raincoat
where nestled his automatic.
Fortunately Ekstrom had chosen @
table in q corner well removed from
any in use. Lanyard could speak with
out fear of being overheard.
But for q moment he RETAINED. MOI
did Ekstrom speak or stir-sitting
sidewise at his table. negligently, with
knees crossed, the German likewise
kept a hand buried In the pocket Of
his heavy. dark ulster. Thus neither
could doubt the others Ill will or pre-
paredness.
And through thirty seconds Of
silence they remained at pause. each
striving with all his strength to read
the others purpose in his eyes. But
there was this distinction to be drawn
between their attitudes, that whereas
Lanyard's gaze challenged, the Ger
mans was sullenly defiant. And pres
emily Lanyard felt his heart stir with
relief-the spy's glance had WINGED.
"Ekstrom." the adventurer said
quietly. III you fire. I'll get you before
l fall That's no boast-a simple state
ment Of fact"
The German hesitated. moistened the
corners Of his lips with q nervous
tongue. but contented himself with q
nod Of acknowledgment.
Take your hand OF that gum" Ian
yard ordered. "Remember-I've only
to cry your name aloud to have you
torn to pieces by these people. Your
life's not worth a moments purchase
In Paris-as you should know"
The German hesitated: but in his
heart conceded that Lanyard didn't ex-
aggerate. The murder Of the inventor
Huysman had exasperated all France:
and though tonight the weather had
kept q third Of Paris within doors
there was still q tide Of pedestrians
fluent on the sidewalk. beyond the
himsy barrier Of frs. that would thick
en- to . rsvening mob upon the leas,
excuse.
He had mistaken his man; he had
thought that Lanyard. even II aware oil
his pursuit. would seek to shake II on
In flight rather than turn and fight
and fight here. Of all places!
do you hear me?" Lanyard con
tinued in the same level and unyield.
ing tone. Bring both hands in sight
upon the tablet"
There was no hesitation. Ekstrom
obeyed. II with the sullen grace Of a
wild beast that would and could slay
its trainer with one sweep Of its paw
II only It dared.
For the nrst time since leaving the
girl Lanyard relaxed his vigilsnt watch
over the man long enough for one swift
glance through the window at his
side. But she was already gone from
tha a Sat