Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1916-04-21
wee; pull VIDE OF PopinotI"
"A vindictive soul, chr"
"One may say that"


Perhaps. It's purely q matter of
taste In associates"
III I were the fool you think me-"
rejoined the count. I'D resent that in
nuendo. As It happens, I'm not. At
least, | can wait before calling you
to account"
And, meantime, profit by your pa
tience"
Naturally. Haven't said as much?"
still I'm perplexed. I can't imag-
Inc how you reckon to declare your.
self In on the Omber loot"
THAT will transpire. II you were
wise you'd hand the stuff over TO me
here and now and accept what I
choose to give you In return. But
inasmuch as you're the least wise Of
men, you will have your lesson"
Meaning"
"The night brings counsel-youll
have time to think things over. BY
tomorrow you'll be coming to find me
and give mo those jewels, without res
ervation, in exchange for what infiu-
ence have In certain quarters"
with your famous friend, the chief
of the surete, eh?"
Possibly. I am known also at La
Tour Pointure."
II confess I don't follow you, unless
you mean to lay an information
against me-"
Never that"
cts q riddle, then?"
For the moment only. But / 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 I
shall be at home to you until midnight
omorrow-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.
81 must think this over" Lanyard
muttered.
Pray don't let me hinder you," the
count begged with mild irony. Il 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
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 jealously
reconnoitered both sides Of the way.
surely 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,
l 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.
eI,
Il know" agreed Lanyard, deprecia-
tory; but that's the way l ana little
devil-you really can't 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 1t 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
shivered 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
on's.
Here reigned a silence even more
marked than that of the street, ST.
lence as heavy and profound as the
graves, SO that sheer instinct prompt
ed Lanyard to tread lightly as he
made his way down the passage and
across the courtyard toward the stair
way; and In that hush the creak OF
greaseless hinge, when the concierge
opened the door of his quarters to
assure himself OF the identity OF this
belated guest. seemed little less than
downright profanity.
Lanyard paused and delved into his
DOckets notidinp ganially 10 the