River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-02-10
CHAPTER X-continued.

What do you think?" retorted the
count with asperity-" I'm willing
90 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! |
veean to 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 underlay the
eemihumOrOus petulance of the little
man was not wasted.
You're most amiable, M. lie Comte!"
Lanyard said thoughtfulIy, while the
attendant produced his hat and coat.
''But now, If you're ready, | won't de-
lay you longer"
In another moment they were out
side the clubhouse, it's doors closed
behind them, while before them, wait
1ng at the curb, was that same hand
some black limousine which had
brought the adventurer from lAbbaye.
Two swift chances, right and left,
showed him an empty street, destitute
OF hint of danger.
"One moment, monsieur!" he said,
OBTAINING the count with a touch on
his sleeve. Its only right that
should advise you I'm armed"
Then you're less foolhardy than
one feared. II such things interest
you, l don't mind admitting | carry
a 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-
Tiding one lived to explain!"
It's as bad as that, eh?"
Enough to make me loath to linger
at your side in a lighted doorway"
Lanyard laughed in his own discom-
Mture
M. 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
@tinted admiration. l thank you for
your offered courtesy, and beg leave
60 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 8 shake That makes
nothing. If 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
SOot."
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 you
90 the mercies Of Popinot. You don't
Imagine I'd ever hear of it again when
his Apaches had finished with your"
All! So, after all, your self-styled
organization isn't founded on that re-
ciprocal trust SO essential to the sue
cess OF such-enterprises!"
That will transpire. If you were
wise you'd hand the stuff over to me
here and now and accept what /
choose to give you in return. But
tnasmuch as you're the least wise of
men, you will have your lesson"
Meaning"
"The night brings counseI-youIl
have time to think things over. By
tomorrow you'll be coming to find ma