The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-05-05
CHAPTER x.
Disaster.

Disaster.
Having fulfilled his purpose of max
ing himself acquainted with the indi-
viduals composing the opposition.
Lanyard shut the door in their faces.
thrust his hands In his pockets. and
sauntered downstairs, chuckling. his
nose in the air, on the best Of terms
with himself.
True, the fat was in the fire and
well ablaze-he had to look to himself
now and go warily in the shadow Of
their enmity. But 1t was something
to have faced down those four, II he
wasn't seriously impressed by any one
Of them.
Popinot, perhaps, was the most
dangerous, a vindictive animal, and
the creatures he controlled murder
GUS lot-drugridden, drink-bedeviled,
vicious little rats of Belleville, who'd
knife a man for the price of an alb
sinthe. But Popinot wouldn't move
without leave from De Morbihan, and
unless Lanyard's calculations were Sc
riously miscast, De Morbihan would
restrain both himself and his associ-
ates until thoroughly convinced Ian
yard was impregnable against every
form of suasion.
Murder was something bit out Of
De Morbihan's line-something which.
at least, he could be counted on to
hold in reserve. And by the time be
was ready to employ it, Lanyard
would be well beyond his reach. Vert
heimer too, would deprecate violence
until all else had failed; his half-caste
type was cowardly. and towards kill
only impulsively, before they've had
time to weigh the consequences. There
remained "Smithn--enigma; a man ap-
parently gifted with both intelligence
and character. Bat if so, what the
deuce was he doing in such company?
Lanyard's place at the table of che
min de fer had been filled by another,
and, too impatient to await vacancy,
he wandered on to the salon dedicated
10 roulette, tested his luck by stalking
note of 500 francs on the black, won,
and incontinently subsidized into q
chair and oblivion for the space OF
three-quarters Of an hour.
At the end Of that period he found
himself minus his heavy winnings at
chemin, de fer and the ten thousand
francs of his reserve fund as well.
BY way of lining to his pockets
there remained precisely the sun
which he had brought into Paris thai
same evening. less subsequent genera
expenses.
The experience was no novelty IN
his history. He rose. less resentfu
than regretful that his III luck Obliged
him to Quit Just when play was grow
ing most interesting, and resignedly
sought the cloakroom.
And there he found De Morbihan--
again! standing all garmented fol
the street, mounting huge cigar and
wearing a look of impatient discon
tent.
AT lastl" he cried in an aggrievet
tone as Lanyard appeared. you dc
take your time, my friend!"
Lanyard smothered with a smile
whatever emotion was his.
II don't suppose you really meant
TO wait for me-" he parted, witt
double meaning, both to humor d.
Morbihan and hoodwink the attendant
What do you think?" retorted thu
count with asperity-"that I'm willing
to stand by and let you moon around
Paris at this hour Of the morning
hunting for taxicab that isn't there
and running God knows what risk o
being stuck up by some misbegottel
Apache? But | should say not!
mean to take you home in my car
though 1t cost me half-hour of beaut!
sleep not lightly to be forfeited a
my agel"
The significance that underlay tn,
semihumorous petulance of the littl'
man was not wasted.
You're most amiable, M. lie Comtel
Lanyard said thoughtfully, while tn
attendant produced his hat and coat
but now. IL you're ready, won't de
lay you longer"
In another moment they were out
side the clubhouse, its doors close
behind them, while before them, wait
ing at the curb, was that same hand
some black limousine which hal
brought the adventurer from lAbbaye
Two swift glances, right and LEFT
showed him an empty street, destitut
OF hint OF danger.
zone moment, monsieur" he said
OBTAINING the count with touch O
his sleeve. Its only right that
should advise you I'm armed"
Then you're less foolhardy tina
one feared II such things interes
you, don't mind admitting | carr
a life-preserver of my own But whs
Of that? Is one eager to go shooting
at this time of night, for the sheer fu
of explaining to the police that on
has been attacked by Apaches? Pr
viding one lived to explain!"
ITS as bad as that eh?"
Enough to make me loath to hinge
at your side in lighted doorway"
Lanyard laughed in his own discon
future.
IN. le Comte," said he, there's
dash In you Of what your America
confrere, Mysterious Smith, would ca
sporting blood that commands my VI
stinted admiration | thank you fc
your offered courtesy, and beg leav
to accept"
De Morbihan replied with a grur
Of none too civil intonation, instructe
the chauffeur ITO Troyon's.' and 70
lowed Lanyard into the car.
Courtesy" he repeated settlin
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