Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-02-23

brought the adventurer from IAbbaye.
Two swift glances, right and left,
showed him an empty street, destitute
Of hint of danger.
Zone moment, monsieur!" he said,
OBTAINING the count with touch on
his sleeve. IT'S only right that /
should advise you. I'm armed"
Then you're less foolhardy than
one feared. If such things interest
you, I don't mind admitting l carry
life-preserver of my own. But what
Of that? Is one eager to go shooting,
at this time Of night, for the sheer fun
Of explaining to the police that one
has been attacked by Apaches? Pro-
viding one lived to explain!"
Its as bad as that, eh?"
Enough to make me loath to linger
at your side in lighted doorway
Lanyard laughed in his own discom'
future.
IN. lie Comte," said he, there's a
dash in you of what your American
confrere, Mysterious Smith, would call
sporting blood that commands my I'M
stinted admiration. l thank you for
your offered courtesy, and beg leave
to accept"
De Morbihan replied with a grunt
of none too civil intonation, instructed
the chauffeur ITO Troyons," and fol-
lowed Lanyard into the car.
"Courtesy!" he repeated, settling
himself with a shake. THAT makes
nothing. If l regarded my own incli'
nations, I'd let you go to the devil as
quick as Popinot's assassins could
send you there!"
This is delightful" Lanyard pro-
tested. First you must see me home
to save my life and then you tell me
your inclinations consign me to pre-
mature grave. Is there any explana-
ton, possibly"
ION your person." replied the count
briefly.
"Eh?"
"You carry your reason with you,
my friend-in the shape of the Omber
loot"
Assuming that you are right"
"You never went to the Rue du Bac,
monsieur, without those jewels, and
have had you under observation ever
since.''- .,...l,,..- .s.,,-,... 81 ,.-,,.,sr,
What conceivable interest" Ian.
yard pursued evenly, do you fancy
you've got in the said loot?"
Enough, at least, to render me I'M
willing to kiss it adieu by leaving you
to the mercies of Popinot. You don't
imagine I'd ever hear of it again when
his Apaches had finished with your
"Ah! So, after all, your selfstyled
organization isn't founded on that re-
ciprocal trust so essential to the sue
cess of such-enterprises!"
Make what you will of your infer
ences, my friend" the count returned,
unruHled; but don't forget my ad-
vice: pull wide Of Popinot!"
"A vindictive soul, eh?"
Zone may say that"
"And you can't hold him."
"That one? No fear! You we're
anything but wise to bait him as you
did,"
Perhaps. It's purely a matter of
taste In associates.
IF l were the fool you think me-"
rejoined the count I'D resent that in
nuendo. AS it happens, I'm not. At
least, l can wait before calling you
to account"
"And, meantime, profit by your pa
tience?"
NATURALLY. Haven't said as much ?"
"Still I'm perplexed. can't mag
inc how you reckon to declare your
self in on the Omber loot"
THAT will transpire. If you were
wise you'd hand the stuff over to me
here and now and accept what l
choose to give you in return. But
inasmuch as you're the least wise of
men, you will have your lesson"
Meaning"
1.-THE night brings counsel-youll
have time to think things over. BY
tomorrow you'll be coming to find me
and give me those jewels, without res
ervation, in exchange for what inf1u-
ence have in certain quarters"
with your famous friend, the chief
of the surete, eh?'
"Possibly. l am known also at La
Tour Pointure."
Il confess I don't follow you, unless
you mean to lay an information
against me-
Never that"
Its a riddle, them"
For the moment only. But l will
say this: it will be futile, your at
tempting to escape Paris; Popinot
has already picketed every outlet.
Your one hope resides in me; and 1
shall be at home to you until midnight
tomorrow-today, rather"
Impressed in spite of himself, Ian
yard stared. But the count maintained
an imperturbable manner, looking
straight ahead. Such calm assurance
could hardly be sheer bluff.
II must think this over" Lanyard
muttered.
pray don't let me hinder you," the
count begged with mild irony. II have
my futile thoughts as WE'LL"
Lanyard laughed quietly and sub
sided into a reverie which, undis-
turbed by De Morbihan, endured
throughout the brief remainder OF
their drive; for, thanks to the small