The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-03-28

ftfllllt ilt w 'sHAaihf '''' 49,
ard. bowling. Il want ono million
francs. n you wish To arrest me.
you must place that sum on tho tn
BILE In this room at IL o'clock to-
night. Unless the money IL here. |
shall not come for II. and your plans
TO capture mo will fail" lie laugh
ed grimly.
And II do mott" inquired the
count.
Then. monsieur. am afraid
that | shall be- under the painful
necessity OF killing you" lie
smiled. then began TO 20 toward
tho door.
stop him. Stop h'm'" rosrcd
the count Tho project attempted
unsnccessfully to interpose himself
between Girard and the door. DO
not attempt 10 leave tho housed"
he cried.
Girard turned in the doorway.
1T In imperative. monsieur" he
said. II have a most important
engagement" lie stepped quickly
into tho hall. slammed the door
shut behind him and locked II.
In the library, all was confusion.
Tho count left tho bell. which he
had been so Intellectually ringing.
and. going to tho door. tried the
knob. Tho scoundrel has locked
US In no shouted.
II was several moments before
the door was opened by the butler.
Where IL he'" demanded the
count
Tho servant seemed somewhat
taken aback. who. monsieur
he inquired.
The fellow who Just won't out.
you imbecile."
Pardon. monsieur. do not I'M
derstand. I saw no one"
Were you not IN the outer
half" tho count asked anEriiy.
"No. monsieur. was In the
pantry until you rang" As he
spoke they heard some ono rap
ping violently upon tho front door.
The project rushed TO the door and
threw II open. Tho newcomer
was Richard Duyall.
Hello. chief" ho exclaimed.
what's the trouhleT"
The project put his hand upon
Duyall's arm. encitediy. The man
who just left the house. Did you
get him."
Il don't quito understand" said
Duvaii. greatly surprised. II did
not 40. any ono leave the house"
Monsieur Lefevre started back In
amAIement. DuvAifE words seem
cd almost impossible Of belief.
"saercl" no cried. The thing IL
incredibl~,"
Tho variable DISAPPEARANCE Of
Victor Cirard completely upsc, the
ptcfsc, aud his men.
Duyall listened TO the counts
story OF the letter. and Girards
latest demand.
What are you Golnx to do abou,
1T" no asked.
How do I know replied the
count. with iii-oonosAisd irritation
That 10 What ! have called on you
gentlemen for. What do you ad.
vise--
Duvaii took out his watch aud
consulted H. 7 advise you. count.
TO 70 to the bank and draw out,
ono million francs ut once"
Tho count fairly Jumped from
his chair In his establishment
MY dear Duvail." said the pro
feet. almost equally sstonlshed.
do you realize what you are say.
ing"
Perfectly" Duvsii seemed quite
st his ease. "Wc want tho man
wc mus, bait the trap. We are
dealing with a very shrewd fellow.
Undoubtedly he ~ having you
watched. II you do not 20 to the
bank--draw tho monsy-he will
know II. We cannot afford TO miss
this opportunity OF capturing n man
whom ] firmly believe TO be one OF
the most dangerous criminals In
Paris"
Very we'll" said D'Este. 81 WIFI
do as you advise
Good. And now. tell mo a little
more about this affair. You don't
owe any one that amount. do your"
Monsieur, The count half.rosc
In his chair and gared at Duvall
in anger. DO you wish to insult
met
eDuvalll Duvail' Monsieur the
count II n French gentleman" said
the project
Duvall turned to D'Este with a
twinkle in his eye. Il beg your
pardon. count" he laughed. Il
should have said. Does any one
claim that you owe him that
amount BE frank. monsieur. We
must get TO the bottom OF this mat
ter. you know"
Tho project nodded in agreement
with Duvalis remark.
"I-I-there ia some such claim"
stammered the count. "a piece OF
nonsense-my stepdaughter. Miss
Ellicott-"
Miss Ellicott7" inquired Duvall.
surprised. rs the lady an Ameri.
cant"
Yea. The niece OF my deceased
wife. She claims that her aunt left
her a large sum. or course the
thing In quito absurd. II has moth.
Ing TO do with tho threats which
are being made by this fellow.
Girard."
Nevertheless. count, II seems to
me a curious coincidence. I should
like to question the lady myself"
ut will be useless. monsieur" as
serted the count stiffly. Nothing
Will be gained"
II am tho best Judge OF that"