The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-27

1 Yes"
And the safe?"
Eyes. l found nothing"
Girard frowned. HIN! TIL,
old fox is careful"
He has also sent for his neph
ew. Emile"
"Why?"
II heard him say over the tele
phone something about the youhs
American girl, Miss Eddicott.
Some new move" said Girard
You must find out about this
Let me know when | return to.
night"
AT 1872"
Il may come earlier-perhaps q
half-hour. Watch for the lights. y
Very WELL" The girl turned as
sounds were heard of some one ap.
preaching.
What room is that?" demand
ed Girard, as he pointed to the
door on the opposite side of the
library.
THE counts private cabinet"
In there-quick-and listen
The girl crossed the room and
entered the study. closing the
door noiselessly. D'Este came in
to the room.
What do you want here?" he
demanded.
Girard faced him with an i'm
uerturable expression. you
know perfectly we'll, Monsieur
the Count" he said, in a steady
voice; "one million francs"
The count permitted a grim
smile to light up his face for a
moment. After all, he thought,
the man was probably nothing
but a harmless lunatic. You
are amusing, my friend. Why
should | give you one million
francs?" he said.
Because, monsieur, you have
just one million francs that does
not belong to you" The man in
the gray overcoat said this so
seriously that the count was for
the moment taken aback. You
must be mad!" he cried, with a
clustering attempt to cover up
his confusion.
Not at all, I assure you. In
the letter which you received this
morning, informed you / would
give you instructions as to how
the money is to be paid. | shall
expect you to place the sum in
bank notes upon this table"
he tapped the top of the desk
with his finger-"at IL O'Clock
tonight"
Il shall do nothing of the
sort" roared the count, beside
himself with rage.
ION the contrary, l feel sure
that after careful consideration,
you will draw the money before
3 o'clock. Permit me, monsieur"
he said easily, ito wish you a
very good morning"
Emile D'Este was young man
whose principal object in life was
to avoid being bored. His father.
the counts brother, had died
some years before. He left at
his death only Emile and large
assortment of unpaid bills.
The count, who was still stand
ing in the center of the room
where Girard had left him,
scowled as Emile came in.
How are you, Emile?" D'Este
grOwled, throwing himself into a
chair.
"Oh, so, so! Who was the
tough-looking individual l met as
| came in?"
THAT was Victor Girard,"
said the count grimly.
what" Emile gazed at his
uncle in establishment. The latter
had told him of the persecution
to which, for the past month, he
had been subjected. You're in
earnest?"
Indeed, am"
"Well, of all the nerve! Why
did you let him escape?"
II had no EVIDENCE against
him. To have attempted to de-
tain him now would have been
useless. He said he would re-
turn at IL o'clock tonight to get
the money he demands"
"Ah, I see. You propose to set
little trap for him, eh?"
Exactly, and one that he will
not escape so easily"
D'Este took his glasses from
his shirt front, and began play
ing idly with them. 81 have de-
cided," he said, gazing at Emile
reflectively, that you shall mar
ry my niece, Grace Ellicott."
The effect of this announce
ment upon Emile was distinctly
disappointing. That's all very
we'll, uncle, but | don't want to