The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-03-10


and give me those jewels, without res
eryation, in exchange for what influ-
ence have In certain quarters"
with your famous friend, the chief
OF the surete, eh?"
Possibly. l am known also at La
Tour Pointure."
81 confess don't follow you. unless
you mean to lay an information
against me-"
Never that"
IT'S a riddle, then?"
For the moment only. But | will
say this: 1t will be futile, your at
tempting TO escape Paris; Popinot
has already picketed every outlet
Your one hope resides in me; and
shall be at home TO you until midnight
tomorrow-today. rather"
Lanyard laughed quietly and sub
sided into a reverie which. undis.
turbed by De Morblhan. endured
throughout the brief remainder OF
their drive; for, thanks to the small
ness of the hour. the streets were
practically deserted and offered no
hindrance TO speed, while the chauf.
feur was doubtless eager for his bed.
AS they drew near Troyon's. how.
ever, Lanyard sat up and jealousy
reconnoitered both sides OF the way
"Surel! you don't expect to be kept
out?" the count asked dryly. But that
just shows how little you appreciate
our good Popinot. He'll never offer
any objection to your locking yourself
up where he knows he can find you
but only to your leaving without per.
mission!"
Something in that, perhaps. Still
| always give myself the benefit OF
every doubt"
There was, indeed, no sign of am.
bush that he could detect In any quar-
ter-no indication that Popinot's Apa.
ches were skulking about. None the
less, Lanyard produced his automatic
and freed the safety catch before
opening the door.
"A thousand thanks, my dear
COUNT"
For what? Doing myself a serv.
ice? You make me ashamed"
II know" agreed Lanyard, deprecia
tory; but that's the way ana little
devil-you really cant trust me!
Adieu, NJ. lie Comte."
"Au revoir, monsieur!"
Lanyard watched the car round the
corner before turning to the entrance
of Troyon's, simultaneously keeping
his weather eye bright. But when the
motor was gone the street seemed
quite deserted and as soundless as
though it had been the thoroughfare
OF some remote village rather than an
artery of the pulsing old heart of
Paris.
Yet he wasn't satisfied. He even
shiyered a bit perhaps because of
the chill in that air of early morning
possibly because a shadow of premo-
milton had fallen athwart his soul.
Whatever its cause, he could find no |
excuse for the sensation, and shaking |
himself impatiently, pressed the but
ton that rang a bell by the ear Of the |
concierge, heard the latch click, thrust |
the door wide, and re-entered Troy |
ons
He thought longingly of bed, yawned |
involuntarily, and, reaching his door, |
fumbled the key in a most unprofes-
sional way; there were weights upon
his eyelids, a heaviness in his brain.
But the key met with no resistance
from the wards, and in trice, appre-
ciating this fact, Lanyard was wide |
awake again.
No question but that he had locked |
the room securely on leaving after his |
adventure with the charming somnam-
bulist.
Had she, then, contracted the habit? |
Or was this only proof Of what he
had anticipated in the beginning-a
bit of sleuthing on the part of Roddy?
He entertained little doubt as to
the correctness of this latter surmise
as he threw the door open and
stepped into the room, his first action
being to grasp the electric switch. But
40 light answered
"Hello!" he exclaimed softly, re-
that the light could read
ly have been turned off at the bulbs.
What's the good of that?"
In the same breath he started vio-
emily and swung about,
The door had closed behind him,
swiftly but gently, eclipsing the faint
light from the hall. leaving stark dark
less
His first impression was that the in
ruder-R Roddy, or whoever it might
darted past him and out, pull
ng the door to in the act.
Before he could consciously revise
his misconception he was fighting for
lis life.
So unexpected, SO swift and sudden
ell the assault that he was caught
off guard-between the
hutting of the door and an onslaught
whose violence sent him reeling to the
vail, the fight of time could have
,een measured by the Pickering of an
yelash.
Two powerful arms were round his
'ody. pinioning his hands to his sides,
lis feet were tripped from under him,
nd he was thrown with a force that
airly Jared his teeth.
For a breath he lay dazed, strug-