The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-28

a handsome iron gateway afford
ed admission to a garden alon,
one side of the house. This gar
den was surrounded by a higl
stone wall so that 1t was impos
sible to see into 1t except thru tn,
iron grill work of the gate. TIL,
man paused for a moment, theI
assembled the stairs to the doc
and rang the bell.
After considerable parley tn,
butler consented to take the call
er's card to the count.
Victor Girard sank into a large
easy chair and picked up a news
paper from the table beside him
But instead of beginning to reat
he glanced keenly about him. TIL,
room was a handsome one, furn.
ished richly. To one side a French
window, at the rear of a shallow
recess, overlooking the garden
On the opposite side of the room
from that which he had entered
he observed another doorway lead.
lHR W al SItdtltF TOOIU.
Over the handsome table at the
center hung a large dome lamp
Girard listened attentively for a
few moments, as though to assure
himself that he was quite alone
then took up from the desk a sill
yer pencil and struck four SHARP
blows with it upon the glass
dome.
In few moments a maid enter
ed from the hall, carrying in her
hand feather buster brush.
Girard went on with his read
ing and the girl came up to the
table and began to arrange the
books upon it. "You called?'
she asked in a low voice without
raising her eyes from her work.
Yes" Girard replied, keeping
his eyes fixed on the newspaper.
What have you learned?"
He received your letter this
morning."
And the money. / suppose he
has not drawn 1t from the bank?"
NO"
Very we'll. What else?"
He has telephoned for the pre-
feet of police. He should be here
now"
He will be Is minutes late"
said Girard, glancing swiftly up at
her. Have you searched the
desk?"
Yes"
and the safe?"
Eyes. / found nothing"
Girard frowned. HIN! The
old fox is careful"
He has also sent for his neph-
ew, Emile"
Why"
II heard him say over the tele-
phone something about the young
American girl, Miss Eddicott.'
Some new move" said Girard.
You must find out about this.
Let me know when l return to-
night"
AT 1872"
Il may come earlier-perhaps a
half-hour. Watch for the lights"
Very we'll" The girl turned as
sounds were heard of some one APP
preaching.
What room is that?" demand
ed Girard, as he pointed to the
door on the opposite side of the
library.
THE counts private cabinet"
I'm there-quick-and listen"
The girl crossed the room and
entered the study, closing the
door noiselessly. D'Este came in
to the room.
What do you want here?" he
demanded.
Girard faced him with an i'm
uerturable expression. You
know perfectly we'll, Monsieur
the Count" he said, in a steady
voice; "one million francs"
The count permitted grim
smile to light up his face for a
moment After all, he thought,
the man was probably nothing
but a harmless lunatic. You
are amusing, my friend. Why
should | give you one million
francs?" he said.
Because, monsieur, you have
just one million francs that does
not belong to YOU" The man in
the gray overcoat said this so
seriously that the count was for
the moment taken aback. you
must be mad!" he cried, with a
clustering attempt to cover up
his confusion.
mot at all, I assure you. In
the letter which you received this
morning, informed you / would
give you instructions as to how
the money is to be paid. l shall
expect you to place the sum in
bank notes upon this table"
he tapped the top of the desk
with his finger--"at IL o'clock
tonight"
II shall do nothing of the
sort" roared the count, beside
himself with rage.
ION the contrary, / feel sure
that after careful consideration,
you will draw the money before
3 o'clock. Permit me, monsieur"
he said easily, ito wish you a
very good morning"
Emile D'Este was young man
whose principal object in life was
to avoid being bored. His father,
the counts brother, had died
some years before. He left at
his death only Emile and a large
assortment of unpaid bills.
The count, who was still stand
ing in the center of the room
where Girard had left him,
scowled as Emile came in.
How are you, Emile?" D'Este
growled, throwing himself into a
chair.
ooh, SO, so! Who was the
tough-looking individual l met as
n