Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1916-06-23
CHAPTER XXI.
Elation and Despair.

eIdtion ana despair.
Established behind his splendid ma.
hogany desk in his office at the minis
try of war. or moving majestically
abroad attired In frock coat and shin.
ing topper, or lending the dignity Of
his presence to some formal function
of state In that beautiful uniform
which appertained unto his office, NJ.
Hector Ducroy cut an imposing figure.
Abed-it was sadly otherwise.
Lanyard switched on the bedside
light, turning it so that 1t struck full
upon the face of the sleeper, and as he
sat down he smiled.
The minister Of war lay upon his
back, his distinguished corpulence Sc
verely dislocating the chaste simplicity
of the bedclothing. Athwart his shelv-
ing chest fat hands were peacefully
folded in a gesture affectingly naive.
His face was red, noble high.light
shone upon the promontory OF his bald
pate, his mouth was open.
To the best of his unconscious abil-
ity he was giving a protracted imita-
tion of a dog fight; and he was really
exhibiting sublime virtuosity-one
readily distinguished individual howls.
growls, yelps against an undertone
made up of the blended voices of ex.
cited noncombatants.
AS suddenly as though someone.
wearying of the entertainment. had
lifted The needle from that record, 1t
was discontinued. The minister Of
war stirred uneasily in his sleep, NUT
tered naughty word, opened one eye.
scowled, opened the other.
He blinked furiously. half-blinded
but still able to make out the discom-
posing silhouette of a man seated just
beyond the radius of glare-a quiet
presence that moved not. but eyed him
steadiastly; an apparition the more
arresting because OF its very immo.
bility.
Rapidly the face of the minister of
war lost several shades of purple. He
moistcned his lips nervously with a
thick. dry tongue, and convulsively he
ciutched the bedclothing high and
tight about his neck, as though labor
ing under the erroneous impression
that the sanctty of his person was
threatened.
What do you want. monsieur he
suffered in still, small voice which
he would have been the last to &C
knowledge his own.
Il desire to discuss a matter of bust.
ness with monsieur" replied the in.
truder after a small pause. IT you
will be good enough to calm yourself
="
IL am perfectly calm"
But here the minister Of war verified
with one swift glance an earlier i'm.
preston, to the effect that the tres.
passer was holding something that
shone with metallic luster, and his
soul began to curl up round the edges.
There are eighteen hundred francs
in my pocketbook-about." he man
aged to articulate. "My watch is on
the stand here. You will find the fam
lily plate In the dining room safe, be-
hind the buffet-the key is on my ring
and the jewels of madame. my wife,
In a small strong box beneath the head
of her bed. The combination"
Pardon; monsieur labors under q
misapprehension." the housebreaker
interposed dryly. Had one desired
these valuables one would readily have
possessed oneself of them without
going to the trouble of disturbing the
rest of monsieur. | have. however, al
ready mentioned the nature OF my er'
rand"
"Eh?" demanded the minister OF war.
what Is that? But give me Of your
mercy one chance to explain! ! have
never Willingly harmed you. monsieur,
and IL have done so without my
knowledge, rest assured you have but
to petition me through the proper
channels and will be only too glad to
make amends"
"Still you do not listen" the other
insisted. Come. NJ Ducroy-calm
yourself. | have not robbed you, be
cause ! have no wish to rob you. ]
have not harmed you, for l have no
wish to harm you. Nor have ! any
wish other than to lay before you. as
representing government. certain
matter of state business.
There was silence while the minis
ter OF war permitted this exhortation
TO sink In. Then. apparently treasured
he sat up In bed and eyed his untimely
visitor with a glare little short of true
ulent.
."Eh? What's that?" he demanded
business? What sort OF business? II
you wish 10 lay under my considers
ton any matter OF business. how 10 Il
you break into my home Ct dead Of
uight and rouse me In this brutal tai,