River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-03-02


begged. "If we speak English loud
enough to be heard it will attract at
tention. The trouble is, we're followed.
But as yet our faithful shadow doesn't
know we know it--unless he's more in
teIligent than he seems. Consequent
ly, if don't misjudge him, he'll take
table outside, the better to keep an
eye on US, as soon as he sees we're ap-
parently settled for some time. More
than that, I've got note to write-and
not merely as a subterfuge. This fel.
low must be shaken off, and as long as
we stick together that can't very we'll
be done"
He interrupted himself while the
waiter served them, then sugared his
coffee, arranged the ink bottle and pa
per to his satisfaction, and bent over
his pen
Come closer" he reQuested-"as If
you were interested in what I'm writ.
ing-and amused; if you can laugh a
bit at nothing, SO much the better. But
keep a sharp eye on the windows. You
can do that more readily than l under
cover Of the brim Of your hat. And
let me know what you see."
He had no more than settled into
the swing Of composition than the
girl-apparently following his pen
with closest -giggled coQuet-
tishly and nudged his elbow
THE window to the right Of the
door we came In" she murmured smil-
ing delightedly; hes standing behind
the fir trees, staring in"
Can you make him out?" Lanyard
asked without moving his lips.
mo more than that he's tall" she
said with every indication of enjoying
a most tremendous joke. "His face is
all in shadow"
"Patience!" counseled the adven-
turer. Hell take heart of courage
when convinced Of our innocence"
He poised his pen, scrutinized the
ceiling for inspiration, and permitted
a slow smile to irradiate his features
You'll take this note, if you please"
he said cheerfully ito the address on
the envelope, by taxi-it's some dis
lance, near the Etoile. A long chance,
but one we must risk; give me half an
hour alone, and l guarantee to discour-
age this animal one way or another.
You understand"
Perfectly" she laughed archly.
He bent over and for a few mo.
ments wrote busily.
Nov he's walking slowly round tho
corner, never taking his eyes from
you," the girl reported, shoulder to
shoulder and head distractingly near
his head.
Good. Can you see him any bet
teri"
mot yet"
''This note" he said, without stop
ping his pen or appearing to say any
thing, lis for the concierge Of a build
ing where | rent stabling for a little,
closed car / find occasionally useful.
I'm supposed there to be a chauffeur
in the employ of a crazy Englishman
who keeps me constantly travelling
with him back and forth between
Paris and London. That's to account
for the irregularity with which / use
the car. They know me, monsieur and
madame Of the cOnciergerie, as Pierre
Lamier; and l think they're safe-not
only trustworthy and Of friendly dis.
position, but quite supplemented;
don't believe they gossip much. If so,
the chances are De Morbihan and his
gang know nothing of the arrangement.
But that's all speculation-a forlorn
hope!"
Il understand" the girl chuckIed at
his elbow. Hes still prowling up and
down outside the hedge"
Were not going to need that car to-
night; but the home Of Nine Omber is
close by; and I'll follow and join you
there within an hour at most. Mean
time, this note will introduce you to
the concierge and his wife-I hope you
won't mind-as my fancee. Pm telling
them we became engaged in England,
and I've brought you to Paris to visit
my mother in Montrouge but am de-
tanned by my employers business, and
will they please give you shelter for an
hour"
Hes coming in" the girl announced
quietly.
"In here?"
"No-merely inside the row OF little
trees"
(Which entrance?"
con the boulevard side. He's taken
the corner table. Now walters go
ing out to him"
"You can see his face now?" Ian
yard asked, sealing the note.
mot we'll"
ut won't be Popinot," Lanyard re-
fected, addressing the envelope; hes
tubby."
"This man is tall and slender"
'Wertheimer, possibly. Does he sug-
gest an Englishman in any way?"
"Not in the least. He wears a mus
Observation-Disclosures up like the
kaiser's."
Lanyard made no reply, but his
heart sank, and he shivered imper-
ceptibly with foreboding. He enter
tanned no doubt but that the worst had