Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-03-09

Murder was something a bit out or
De Morbihan's something which.
at least, he could be counted on to
hold in reserve. And by the time he
was ready to employ it, Lanyard
would be well beyond his reach. Vert
hefmer, too would deprecate violence
until all else had failed; his half-caste
tyne was cowardly, and towards kill
only impulsively, before they've had
time to weigh the consequences. There
remained "Smith''-enigma; man ap-
parently gifted with both intelligence
and character But if so, what the
deuce was he doing in such company?
Lanyards place at the table of che
min de fer had been filled by another,
and. too impatient to await a vacancy,
he wandered on to the salon dedicated
to roulette, tested his luck by stalking
a note of 500 francs on the black, won,
and incOntinentIy subsidized into a
chair and oblivion for the space of
three-quarters of an hour.
At the end of that period he found
himself minus his heavy winnings at
chemin de fer and the ten thousand
francs of his reserve fund as well.
BY way of a lining to his pockets
there remained precisely the sum
which he had brought into Paris that
same evening, less subsequent general
expenses.
The experience was no novelty in
his history He rose, less resentful
than regretful that his i'll luck obliged
him to quit just when play was grow
ing most interesting, and resignedly
sought the cloakroom.
And there he found De Morbfhan-
again!- standing all garmented for
the street, mounting a huge cigar and
wearing a look of impatient discon-
tent
AT last" he cried in an aggrieved
tone as Lanyard appeared. you do
take your time, my friend!"
Lanyard smothered with a smile
whatever emotion was his
Il don't suppose you really meant
to- wait for me-" he parted, with
double meaning, both to humor De
Morbihan and hoodwink the attendant
What do you think?" retorted the
count with asperity- that I'm willing
to stand by and let you moon around
Paris at this hour of the morning,
hunting for a taxicab that isn't there
and running God knows what risk of
being stuck up by some misbegotten
Apache? But I should say not! [
mean to take you home in my car,
though it cost me a half-hour of beauty
sleep not lightly to be forfeited at
my age!"
The significance that underlay the
semihumorous petulance of the little
man was not wasted.
you're most amiable, M. lie Comte!"
Lanyard said thoughtfully, while the
attendant produced his hat and coat.
lay you longer"
In another moment they were out
side the clubhouse. its doors closed
behind them, while before them, wait
ing at the curb, was that same hand
some black limousine which had
1 q.
Two swift glances, right and left,
showed him an empty street, destitute
of hint of danger.
"One moment, monsieur!" he said,
OBTAINING the count with a touch on
his sleeve. Its only right that
should advise you. I'm armed"
Then you're less fooIhardy than
one feared. If such things interest
you, | don't mind admitting 1 carry
a ife-preserver of my own. But what
OF that? Is one eager to go shooting,
at this time of night, for the sheer fun
OF explaining to the police that one
has been attacked by Apaches? Pro
yiding one lived to explain!"
It's as bad as that, eh?"
Enough to make me loath to linger
at your side in a lighted doorway"
Lanyard laughed in his own discom-
future
M. lie Comte," said he, there's a
dash in you of what your American
confrere, Mysterious Smith, would call
sporting blood that commands my I'M
stinted admiration. l thank you for
your offered courtesy, and beg leave
to accept"
De Morbihan replied with a grunt
of none too civil intonation. instructed
the chauffeur ITO Troyon's," and fol
lowed Lanyard into the car.
Courtesy" he repeated, settling
himself with shake. THAT makes
nothing. If l regarded my own incli-
nations, I'd let you go to the devil as
quick as Popinots assassins could
send you there!"
This is delightful" Lanyard pro-
tested. First you must see me home
to save my life and then you tell me
your inclinaions consign me to a pre-
mature grave. Is there any explana-
ton, possibly?"
"On your person." replied the count
briefly
"Eh?"
You carry your reason with you.
my friend-in the shape of the Omber
loot"
Assuming that you are right"
You never went to the Rue du Bac,
monsieur, without those jewels, and /
have had you under observation ever
since"
What conceivable interest" Ian
yard pursued evenly, do you fancy
you've got in the said loot?"
Enough, at least, to render me I'M