The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-30
Continued from our last issue.

CONTINUED from our last issue.
A short time later the project
and Duvall were Joined by the
Count D'Este, and in a few mo-
ments they were proceeding in an
automobile toward their destina-
ton.
The bell of Notre Dame was just
striking 8 when the car drew mp
half a block from the Rats Hole.
Here the project stepped to the
sidewalk, dismissed his chauffeur
and requested the count to accom-
pany him.
| D'Este did not at first realize
where he was, and it was not un-
Ill they had arrived close to the
cafe that he came to sudden real
izstion of his whereabouts.
The shock of this discovery was
so great that he clutched Monsieur
Lefevre by the arm. What should
he do-what should he do? While
the question throbbed through his
Keeling brain they came into the
shadow of the doorway.
| Here they found Vernet await
ing them and the project at once
entered into whispered con-
versation with his assistant, leav-
ing D'Este prey to his distress
ing thoughts.
! The project and Vernet, from
the shadow of the doorway, in
spected keenly the few pedestri-
ans who came along. 1t was Is
minutes past when the project
suddenly felt his assistant press
his arm significantly, and Victor
Girard entered the lodging house
i The project touched D'Este up
on the shoulder. Our man has
arrived" he said with grim
smile. This time you may be
sure he will not escape"
| The count nodded, but made no
reply. He was straining his eyes
into the darkness, wondering who
would be the next person to APP
pear. He did not have long to
walt. The next arrival was EN-
lie.
| Monsieur Lefevre recognized
the young man almost as soon as
| did the count. When Emile had
passed, the project turned, and
with al ook of establishment up
on his face, addressed the alarm
ed nobleman.
| 1T is your nephew" he whis-
pered. What is he doing
here?"
The count hesitated. "I-I am
unable to tell you, monsieur" he
stammered. 1T may be that he
has discovered who it is that this
fellow Girard is to meet here this
evening, and is doing little de-
tective work on his own account. a"
What do you mean, Monsieur
the COUNT" the project asked IN
surprise. How could your neph-
ew possibly find out anything of
the sort?"
i D'Este concluded that the time
had come to prepare the way for
his subsequent explanations.
You remember" he began,
that my niece, Miss Ellicott, has
been demanding from me the sum
of 100000. which she claims
was left her by her aunt, my de-
ceased wife?"
Yes" the project nodded. 81
remember. What of it?"
IF Girard is In league with my
niece, and has taken this money
in her behalf, would it not be rea-
sonable to suppose that she nigh t
be coming here to meet him to-
night"
'Sacre!" exclaimed the aston
ished project. You thing it pos
sible?'
| Instead of replying, the count
turned suddenly and pointed
down the street to where a closed
cab was slowly approaching them
from out the darkness. Let us
see who is In this cab" he said.
] The three men watched the We
hicle as it slowly drew up along
side the curb, and discharged its
occupant. Lefevre uttered an ex-
clamation of establishment as he
saw who 1t was that stepped to
the sidewalk. The count turned
to him with a smile of triumph.
You see," he said, 81 was right"
They watched the girl in silence
as she paid the cabman and en-
tered the cafe.
The project looked at his watch.
1t was 9:20. All of a. sudden a
loud cutlery was heard coming ap-
parently from a room on the sec
ond floor of the house.
Instantly the project and his
assistants rushed toward the door
way, burst it open and dashed up
the narrow staircase. The door at
the head of the stairs stood par
TALLY open, and through it they
could hear the voice of Emile
calling loudly for help.
What's the trouble here?" de-
manded Lefevre, looking about
him in surprise.
Victor Girard! I've got him."
Where is he demanded the
perfect.
I'm that room!" shouted the
young man, pointing to the door
which occupied the center of the
wall at the rear.
| CHAPTER VII.
Grace Keeps Her Appointment :