Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1916-07-14
CHAPTER XIV.

his fare observed pleasantly:
THAT you. Lanyard"
The adveuturer hesitated an in.
stant: then. without looking round, re-
sponded:
"Wertheimer. en-"
"Righto, The old man had me
puzzled for a minute with his SILLY
chatting. stupid Of me, too, because
we'd just been talking about YOU"
"Had you, thought"
Rather. Hadn't you better take me
where We can have a quiet little talk!"
I'm not conscious of the neces-
sity-"
"oh. l say" Wertheimer protested
amiably. Don't be SO rotten shirty.
old top. Give a chap a chance. Be-
sides, l received today a bit Of news
from Antwerp I guarantee will inter.
est you"
Antwerp Lanyard repeated. mys-
aned
''Antwerp-where the ships sail
from" Wertheimer laughed-"not Am,
stersam. where the diamonds fore
gather, as you may KNOW.
II don't follow you, I'm afraid"
II shant elucidste until we're under
cover"
With brief hesitation Lanyard said
more placably All right. But where
shall take you''
ANY quiet cafe will do. You can
readily find one"
Thanks no" Lanyard objected
dryly II I must confaoulate with
gentlemen of your kidney. I prefer to
do it under cover. Even dressed as /
am, might be recognized. you know"
But it was evident that Wertheimer
didn't mean to permit himself to be
ruffled
Then will my modest diggings suit
YOU" he suggested pleasantly. I've
taken a suite in the Rue Vernet, just
back Of the Hotel Astoria, where we
can be as private as YOU please. That
is, if you've no objection
None whatever
Wertheimer gave him the number
and replaced the window.
His rooms in tho Rue Vernet proved
to be a small ground-noor apartment
with private entrance to the street.
TOOK the tip from you" he told
LANYARD. as he unlocked the door. Il
dare say you'd be glad to get back to
that little rez-de-chaussee OF yours In
the Rue Roget Ripping place, that
BY the way-judging from your ap-
~
haven been trying to live at home
OF late"
Indeed ."
Indeed yes. monsieur, II | may
presume 20 interfere-ld pull wide OF
the Rue Roget for a while-for as
long, at least as YOU remain in your
present iutractable temper
Il fancy you're right" Lanyard said
careless, following, as Wertheimer
turned up the lights, into modest
salon. Cozily furnished. You i've here
alone. understand"
"Quite-make yourself perfectly at
ease; nobody can hear us. And" the
EngIishman added with a laugh, do
sit down - take that chair there.
which commands both doors, II you
don't trust me-
DO you think ought to-"
Hardy Otherwise I'd ask you to
take my word that you're safe for the
time being As it is, shan't be offend
ed IL you keep your gun handy and
your sense OF self-preservation run
ming under forced draft. But you
won't refuse 10 join me in q whisky
andsoda?'
NO" said Lanyard slowly-"not II
We drink from the same bottle"
Again the Englishman laughed un.
sffectedly as, turning TO q side-table,
he fetched a decanter, glasses. bottled
soda. a box OF cigarettes. and placed
them on stand within Lanyards
reach.
With all the ease and courtesy OF
practiced host he measured whisky
into Lanyard's glass till checked by
quiet Thank YOU" and helping him
self generously opened the soda.
"l'll not ask you to drink with me"
he said with a twinkle. "but-chin-
chin" and fitting his glass. half emp !
tied it at a draft.
Muttering formally, at a disadvsn-
tage and resenting II, Lanyard drank |
with less enthusiasm, II without mis-
sivings.
Wertheimer selected q cigarette and
lighted II at leisure.
We'll" no said, smiling through
cloud of smoke. Il think we're fairly
on our way to an understanding. con-
sidering that you told me to 30 to
hell when last we met"
His spirit was irresistible. In spite
Of himself Lanyard returned the
smile. Il never knew man to take
II with better grace" he said. lighting
his own cigarette.
Resent it! liked it--you gave US
precisely what we asked for"
Then" demanded Lanyard gravely, |
II that's your viewpoint. II you're de- |
cent enough TO see II that wsy-what