Meade County news., 1916-06-22
you'd be a rather engaging person!s

you'd be q rather engaging person!S
Lanyard made no reply. In fact, he
wasn't attending.
In this suspense the iron control
which had always heretofore been his
was breaking down-since now 1t was
for another that he was concerned.
And he wasted no strength trying to
enforce 1t. The stress Of his anxiety
was both undisguised and indisguis-
able. Nor did Nine. Omber overlook
it.
whats the trouble. eh? Is 1t that
already the cell door clangs loudly in
your earsf"
AS the woman spoke Lanyard left
his chair with a spring as 1.-THE and
sure and swift as an animals. that car
ried him like a shot across the two
yards or so that separated them.
A hairs breath of error in his reck-
oning would have finished him, for the
other had been alert for Just such q
move, and the revolver was nearly
level with Lanyard's head when he
seized 1t by the barrel, imprisoned the
woman's wrist with his other hand,
and in two movements had possessed
himself of the pistol without hurting
its owner.
Don't be alarmed" he said quietly.
I'm not going to do anything more
violent than to put this out Of COM
mission"
Breaking 1t smartly, he shot q
shower of cartridges to the floor. The
empty weapon itself he tossed into q
wastebasket beneath the desk.
Hope I didn't hurt you." he added
abstractedly-"but your pistol was in
my way!"
He took a stride toward the door,
then hung there in hesitation, frown-
| ing absently at the woman, who, with
out moving. laughed quietly and eyed
Lanyard with twinkle of malicious
diversion.
The adventurer returned her stare
with one of thoughtful appraisal; from
the first he had recognized in her a
character Of uncommon tolerance and
amiability.
Pardon, madame. but" he began
abruptly; then checked himself in con.
strained appreciation Of his impudence.
III that's permission to interrupt
your reverie." Nine. Omber remarked,
II don't mind telling you you're the
strangest burglar ever heard Oft"
FOOTBALLS became audible on the
stairway-the hasty, scuffling sounds
Of slippered feet.
us that you. sidonie?" madame
called.
The voice of the maid replied: Eyes,
madame-coming!"
"Well-don't, just yet. Wait there
till call you"
Very good, madame"
The woman returned complete at
tention to Lanyard.
"Now, monsieur Of two minds, what
Is 1t you wish?"
"Why did you do that?" the adven
turer asked, nodding toward the recep
tion hall.
"Ten Sidonie to walt instead Of call
ing for help? Because-well, because
you interest me strangely. I've curl
GUS notion you're in desperate quan
dary and about to throw yourself or
my mercy"
n am" Lanyard admitted tersely.
"Ahl Now this does begin to grow
interesting! Would you mind telling
me why?"
because, madame, have done you
a great service, and feel can count
upon your gratitude"
The Frenchwoman's eyebrows lifted
at this. Doubtless monsieur knows
what he's talking about"
Listen, madame. am in love with
o young woman, an American, q
stranger, and friendless in Paris. II
anything happens to me tonight, II
am arrested or assassinated-"
'Ts that likely?"
"Quite likely, madame. l have enc.
| LuiCo dLuOnb bhO ApuChCp ouu III my
own profession as we'll. have reason
to suspect that some OF these are in
this neighborhood tonight. may pos
sibly not escape them. In that event,
this young lady of whom speak will
need protector"
"And why must interest myself in
her fate, pray?
Because. madame, Of this service
have done you. Recently, in London
you were robbed"
The woman started and colored with
excitement. you know something OF
my stolen jewelsT
Everything, madame; It was / who
stole them"
you? You are, then. that Lone
Wolff?
Il was, madame"
"Why the past tense?" the woman
demanded, eying him with gathering
frown.
Because / am done with thieving.'
She threw back her head and
laughed. but without mirth. "A likely
story, monsieur! Have you reformed
since caught you here"
0noao a. uoaffar xuhau . toka a. fIot