The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-03-25
CHAPTER X-Continued,


count with asperity-''that I'm willing
to stand by and let you moon around
Paris at this hour of the morning,
hunting for a taxicab that isn't there
and running God knows what risk OF
being stuck up by some misbegotten
Apache? But | should say not! I
mean 20 take you home in my car,
though it cost me half-hour of beauty
sleep not lightly to be forfeited at
my age!"
The significance that underIay the
eemihumorous petulance of the little
man was not wasted
You're most amiable, M. le Comte!"
lanyard said thoughtfully. while the
attendant produced his hat and coat.
NBut now, If you're ready, won't de-
lay you longer"
I'm another moment they were out
side the clubhouse, it's doors closed
behind them, while before them, wait
ing at the curb. was that same hand.
Eome black limousine which had
brought the adventurer from PAbbaye.
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. Its only right that l
should advise you. I'm armed
"Then you're less foolhardy than
one feared. Ii such things interest
you, don't mind admitting l carry
p 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!"
tits as bad as that, eh?"
Enough to make me loath to linger
at your side in lighted doorway"
Lanyard laughed in his own discom-
nture.
IN. le Comte," said he, there's a
dash in you of what your American
confrore, Mysterious Smith, would call
sporting blood that commands my un-
etinted admiration. | thank you for
your offered courtesy, and beg leave
TO accept"
De Morbihan replied with a grunt
OF none too civil information, instructed
the chauffeur ITO Troyon's," 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 a pre-
mature grave. Is there any explana
lion. possibly"
"On your person." replied the count
briefly.
"Eh?"
You carry your reason with you
my friend-in the shape of the Ombel
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"
What conceivable interest" Ian
yard pursued evenly, do you fancy
you've got in the said loot?"
Enough, at least, to render me un
willing to kiss it adieu by leaving yor
to the mercies of Popinot You DOM
Imagine I'd ever hear of it again wher
his Apaches had finished with your
All! So, after all. your self-styleC
organization isn't founded on that re
ciprocal trust so essential to the sue
cess of enterprises"
THAT viii transpire If you wer,
wise you'd hand the stuff over to me
here and now and accept what
choose to give you in return. Blu
inasmuch as you're the least wise o
men. you will have your lesson"
Meaning
The night brings counsei-youI
have time to think things ever d,
tomorrow you'll DO corning to find N,