The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-04-29
CHAPTER XVI.
War.

Lanyard, weary with futile cruis-
ing. and being in the neighborhood of
the Madeleine. sought the cab-rank
there and modify took his place at
its end, silencing the motor and re-
lapsing into morose reflection SO pro-
found that nothing about him claimed
place in his consciousness.
Thus it was that a brace of furtive
thugs were able to SLOUGH down the
rank. scrutinizing it covertly, but in
detail. pause opposite Lanyard's car
under pretext of lighting cigarettes,
identify him to their satisfaction, and
take themselves hastily off-all with
out his knowledge.
And not until they had quite disap-
peared did the driver of the cab ahead
dare warn him.
Longing back carelessly, the latter
looked the adventurer over inquis.
itively.
1T is, them" he inquired civilly,
when Lanyard at length glanced
around, annoyed by subconsciousness
of the others stare, that you are in
the bad books of that good General
Popinot, my friend?"
"Eh-what's that you say?" Lam
yard exclaimed. showing a counte-
nance of blank misapprehension.
The man nodded wisely.
He who is at odds with Popinot, "
he observed, does well not to sleep
in public You did not see those two
who passed just now and took your
number-rats of Montmartre, If !
know my Paris! You were dreaming.
my friend. and it is my impression
that only the presence of those two
flies over the way prevented your i'm
mediate assassination. If l were you,
should go away very quickly, and
never stop till l had put stout walls
between myself and Popinot"
A chill of apprehension sent a SILVER
stealing down Lanyard's spine.
You're sure?"
But of certainty. my old one!"
"A thousand thanks"
Jumping down, the adventurer
cranked the motor, sprang back to his
seat, and was OF like hunted hare.
And when, more than an hour later,
he brought his painting car to a pause
in a quiet and empty back street of
the Auteuil quarter, after course that
had involved the better part of Paris.
it was with the conviction that he had
beyond question shaken off pursuit
had there, in fact, been any attempt
made to follow him
He took advantage of that secluded
spot to substitute false numbers for
those he was licensed to display;
then, at more sedate pace. followed
the line of the Notifications northward
as far as La Muette. where. branch
ing OF. he sought and made a circuit
of two sides of the private park en-
closing the home of Nine. Omber.
But the mansion showed no lights
! and there was nothing in the aspect
of the lodge and carriage entrance to
lead him to believe that the chate-
laine had as yet returned to Paris.
Now the night was still young. but
Lanyard had his cab to dispose of and
not a few other essential details to
arrange before ne could take definite
steps toward the Reincarnation OF the
Lone Wolf.
Picking q most circumspect route
| across the riVer-Via the Point Mira
beau-to the all-night telegraphic bu
reau In the Rue de Grenelle, he dis
patched cryptic message to the min
lister OF war, then with the same pains
to avoid notice made back toward the
Rue des Acacias. But it wasn't pos
sibIe to recross the Seine coyertly-
in effect. at least-without returnins
the way he had come-a long detoui
that irked his impatient spirit to con
template.
Unwisely he elected to cross b,
way OF the Pont des InYalides-hov
unwisely was borne in upon him al
most as soon as he turned from tn,
brilliant Quai de Ia Conference int,
the darkling Rue Francois Premier
he had won scarcely twenty yard
from the corner when, with rush. it
motor purring like some great tiger
cat. q powerful touring car swept u
from behind. drew abreast. but insteai
OF passing. checked speed until It
pace was even with his own.