Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-25

"a lamentable mistake has been
made" he said. Il regret that m'sieur
and mademoiselle have been subjected
to SO grave an indignity Permit me
| to apologize for the misguided energy
of our excellent sergeants.
ooh, thank you" she cried. 1--WE
have had really delightful expert
ence. You owe US no apology. m'sieur.
And now may we depart?'
Instantly. La Chance, conduct
m'sieur and mademoiselle into the |
fresh, sweet, open air and discover !
their car for them without delay"
at is suggested, m'sieur." said the /
polite LaChance, that you walk to the !
corner beyond, turn to the left and /
there you will find the car in plain !
view. 1t was removed by two gentle |
men soon after you condescended to |
honor US with a visit of inspection and ,
thereby you have escaped much IN |
necessary attention from the curious
who always infest the vicinity OF po-
lice Offices" He saluted them gravely /
and returned at once to the corridor.
The chauffeur was examining the
car when they came up. No one was
near. There was no one to tell how it
came to be there nor whittier its I'M
known driver had gone. 1t stood close
to the curb, and the engine was throb-
bing, proof in itself that some one had
but recently deserted his post as guar
dian.
The obliging man hunters" sug-
gested Robin in reply to low voiced
question.
COR your guardian angel, the great
Gourou," she said, frowning slightly.
by the way, Mr.. Schmidt, do you ex-
pect to be under surveillance during
your stay at Interlaken?"
There was irony in her voice. Not
if can help it," he said. And you,
Miss Guile? Is it possible that two of
the best detectives in Paris are to
continue treading on your heels all
the time you are in Europe?"
They were in the car now and pro-
ceeding at a snails pace toward the
Arc de Triomphe. Her eyes narrowed.
81 shall put stop to this ridiculous
espionage at once, Mr.. Schmidt. These
men shall be sent kiting-l mean
about their business before this day
is over. do not intend to be spied
. upon an instant longer"
Still they may have been instru-
| ments of Providence today" he re-
, mind her. without them we might
) now be languishing in Jail and our
spotless names posted for speeding in
, the Place de rOpera. Bedelia Guile
: and Rex Schmidt, malefactors-what
would your father say to that?"
: She smiled-a ravishing smile it
was. His heart gave a stupendous
jump. HE would say that it served
me right said she and then, But
: what difference can it possibly make
to you, Mr.. Schmidt, if the detectives
continue to watch over me?"
None" said he promptly. 81 sup
pose they are used to almost anything
in the way of human nature, so if they
don't mind, I'm sure | sha'nt.
/ haven't the slightest objection to be-
? ing watched by detectives, if we can
only keep other people from seeing
D u.s."
Don't be silly" she cried And let
me remind you while think of it. You
' are not to call me Bedelia."
. "Bedelia," he said deliberately.
She sighed, u am afraid | have
:, been mistaken in you" she said. He
. recalled Gourou's advice. Had he fail
ed in the test? But don't do it again"
!, Now that think of It," he said So
o berly, you are not to call me Mr.
a Schmidt. Please bear that in mind,
Bedelia"
n Thank you. I don't like the name.
|. I'll call your
: Just then the footman turned on the
seat and excitedly pointed to a car
e that had swung into the boulevard
d from side street.
s THE man hunters," exclaimed Ro-
s bin. by jove, we didn't lose them
a after all"
TO the Ritz. Pierre" she cried out
q sharply. Once more she seemed per-
p turbed and anxious.
y Her nervousness increased as they
s sped down the Champs Elysees and
a across the Place de la Concorde. He
g thought that he understood the cause
o and presently sought to relieve her
k anxiety by suggesting that she set
!. him down somewhere along the Rue
de Rivoli. She flushed painfully.
70 THANK you, Mr.. Schmidt, I-are
n you sure you will not mind?"
/ "May I ask what it Is that YOU are
afraid of. Miss Guile?" he inquired
d seriously.
d She was lowering her veil. 81 am
J. not afraid. Mr.. Schmidt" she said.
n 81 am very, very guilty person.
that's all. I've done something |
" ought not to have done, and Pm-Tm
]. ashamed. You don't consider me a
= bold, silly
Good Lord, no." he cried fer.
\ vently.
r "Then why do you call me Bede-
a lia?" she asked, shaking her head.
"lf you feel that way about it IL
:. humbly implore you to overlook my
freshness" he cried in despair.
VIII you get out here, Mr..
Schmidt?" She pressed button. and
. the car swung alongside the curb.
when am to see you again." he
asked. holding out his hand. She
gave 1t firm. friendly grip and said:
l. 81 am going TO Switzerland tha DIV