River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-04-06
you'd be a rather engaging persoa!-

was breaking down-since now it was
for another that he was concerned.
And he wasted no strength trying to
enforce it. The stress of his anxiety
was both undisguised and indisguis-
able. Nor did Nine Omber overlook
1t.
whats the trouble, Ell? Is 1t that
already the cell door clangs loudly in
your ears?"
AS the woman spoke Lanyard left
his chair with spring as 1.-THE and
sure and swift as an animals, that car
ried him like shot across the two
yards or so that separated them.
A hairs breath of error in his reck-
oning would have finished him. for the
other had been alert for just such
move, and the revolver was nearly
level with Lanyard's head when he
seized it by the barrel, imprisoned the
woman's wrist with his other hand,
and in two movements had possessed
himself of the pistol without hurting
it's owner.
Don't be alarmed" he said quietly.
I'm not going to do anything more
violent than to put this out Of COM
mission"
Breaking 1t smartly, he shot a
shower of cartridges to the floor. The
empty weapon itself he tossed into a
wastebasket beneath the desk.
Hope didn't hurt you," he added
abstractedly-"bu your pistol was in
my way!"
He took a stride toward the door,
then hung there in hesitation, frown-
ing absently at the woman, who, with
out moving, laughed quietly and eyed
Lanyard with a twinkle Of malicious
diversion.
The adventurer returned her stare
with one of thoughtful appraisal; from
the first he had recognized in her
character of uncommon tolerance and
amiability.
Pardon, madame, but" he began
abruptly; then checked himself in con-
strained appreciation of his impudence.
'Tf that's permission to interrupt
your reverie," Nine Omber remarked,
Il don't mind telling you you're the
strangest burglar / ever heard off,"
FOOTBALLS became audible on the
stairway-the hasty, scufling sounds
Of slippered feet.
"Is tkat you, Sidonie?" madame
called.
The voice of the maid replied: Eyes,
madame-cOmingi"
'Well-don't. just yet. Wait there
till I call you"
Every good, madame"
The woman returned complete at
tention to Lanyard.
Nov, monsieur of two minds, what
is 1t you wish?"
"Why did you do that?" the adven-
turer asked nodding toward the recep-
ton hail.
"Tell Sidonie to wait instead Of call
ing for help? Because-well, because
you interest me strangely. I've Curl
Gus notion you're in desperate guam
Diary and about to throw yourself on
my mercy"
81 am" Lanyard admitted tersely.
"Ah. Now this does begin to grow
interesting! Would you mind telling
me Hhy?"
Because, madame have done you
a great service, and feel | can count
upon your gratitude"
The Frenchwomans eyebrows lifted
at this. Doubtless monsieur knows
what he's talking about"
Listen, madame. | am in love with
young woman, an American, a
stranger and friendless in Paris. II
anything happens to me tonight, il /
am arrested or assassinated-"
is that likely?"
"Quite likely, madame. / have enc
mics among the Apaches and in my
own profession as well. have reason
to suspect that some Of these are in
this neighborhood tonight. / may pos
sibly not escape them. In that event,
this young lady Of whom ] speak will
need a protector"
"And why must l interest myself in
her fate, pray?"
Because, madame, of this service /
have done you. Recently, IN London,
you were robbed"
The woman started and colored with
excitement. "You know something Of
my stolen jewels?"
Everything, madame; it was I who
stole them"
you? You are, then, that Lone
Wolff"
81 was, madame"
'Why the past tense?" the woman
demanded, eying him with gathering
frOWn.
Because am done with thieving."
She threw back her head and
laughed, but without mirth. "A likely
story, monsieur! Have you reformed
since / caught you here"
docs it matter when? take it that
proof, visible, tangible proof Of my sim
cerity, more than a meaningless date,
would be needed to convince you"
mo doubt about that monsieur-the
Lone Wolff"