The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-03-27

After considerable parloy the but.
Ter consented TO take the callers
card 10 the count
Victor GirRrd sank into a large
easy chair and picked NJ n news
paper from tho table beside him.
Hut instead ~ beginning 90 read
he glanced keenly about him. The
room was a handsome one. furnish.
ed richly. To ono side n French
window. M the rear OF shallow re-.
cess. overlooked tho garden on
tho opposite side OF the room from
that by which he had entered he
observed another doorway leading
To n smaller room.
over tho handsome tabio NJ the
center hung large dome lamp.
Girard listened nttcntively for a few
moments. ms tho 10 assure him
self that he was quite alone, then
took mp from the desk n silver pen.
ell and struck four sharp blows with
Il upon tho glass dome.
In n few moments n maid entered
from the hall. carrying in her hand
a feather duster brush.
Girard went on with his reading
and the girl came up to the table
and began TO arrange the books up.
on ~. You calledT" she asked In
low voice without raising her
eyes from her work.
Yes" Girard replied. keeping
hts eyes fixed on the newspaper.
What have YOU learned"
lie received your letter this
morning"
And the money suppose he
has not drawn Il from the bank ?"
"No"
Very we'll WHAT
lie has teiephoned for tho pre-.
feet o. police. lie should be here
now
lie VIII he IS minutes late" said
Girard. CHANGING swiftly up az her.
Have YOU searched the desk7"
Yes
And the SAFE"
Yes found nothing"
Glrard frowned "H-m' The
old FOX II careful"
"lie has also sent for HIS nephew.
Emile"
why"
Il heard him my over tho tele.
phone something about the young
American Flrl. Miss Elllcott"
some new move said Glnrd
You must find ont about this. Let
mo know when ! return tonight"
AT 1877
Il may como earlier perhaps a
hsifhour Watch for the lights
"Very well The glrl turned as
sounds were heard OF some one ap.
preaching.
what room n that" demanded
ClrRrd. az he pointed 90 the door on
the opposite side Of tho library.
Tho counts private cabinet"
In there qnick-and listen
The Eiri crossed the room and
entered the study. closing the door
noisclcssiY. DEste came into the
room
what DO you wan, heref" he de.
mandcd
Glrnrd faced him with an inper.
iurhahie expression. You know
perfectly well. Monsieur the
Count" he said. IN n steady voice.
"ona million francs~
Tho count permitted a grim smile
20 light up his face for n moment.
After all. he thought. the man wna
probably nothing but harmless
iunatic- 'You are amusing. my
friend Why should give you one
million francs" he said.
because. monsieur. you have
Just ono million francs that doca
not belong TO you" Tho man in
the gray overcoat said this 10 seri.
onsly that tho count was for the
moment taken hhack. you must
be mad" ho cried with buster.
lng attempt 10 cover IN hts confu-
sion.
Not NJ all. assure ron. In the
letter which you received this
morning. ! Informed you would
give you Instructions as TO how tho
money Is 90 be paid. shall or.
pect you TO place tho sum in bank
notes upon this table be tapped
the top OF the desk with his finger
-- AT i2 O'Clock tonight"
81 shall do nothing OF the sort
roared the count. beside himself
with rage.
"On the contrary. feel sure that.
after careful consideration. you viii
draw tho money before O'Clock
Permit me. monsieur" he said
easily. TO vish you a very good
morning"
Emile D'Esie WAS young man
whose principal object in life was
TO avoid being bored His father.
tho counts brother. had died some
years before. lIc left at his death
only Emile and a large assortment
Of unpaid bills
The count who was sim stand
Ing IN the center Of the room whore
Girard had left him. scowled as
Emile came in.
How are you. Emileg- DTEste