River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-03-09
CHAPTER xxvlII-continued.

He had shown foresight in paying
when served, and was consequently
able to leave abruptly, without giving
Ekstrom time to shy. Rising smartly,
he pushed the table aside. The girl
was no less quick and little less SEN
Bitive to the strain of the moment; but
as she passed him her lashes lifted
and her eyes were all his for the in
slant
Good night" she breathed-"g good
night-my dear!"
She could have guessed no more
shrewdly what he needed to nerve him
against the impending clash. He
hadn't hesitated as to his only course,
but till then he'd been horribly afraid,
knowing too well the desperate cast of
the outlawed Germans nature. But
now, since she had spoken, he couldn't
fail
He strobe briskly toward the en-
trance from the boulevard, out of the
corner of his eye aware that Ekstrom,
taken by surprise, had half started
from his chair, then sunk back
Two PAGES from the door the girl
checked herself, murmured in French,
"Oh, my handkerchief" and turned
briskly back.
Without pause, as though he hadn't
heard. Lanyard threw the door wide
and swung out, turning directly to the
spy. At the same time he dropped a
hand into the pocket Of his raincoat,
where nestled his automatic
Fortunately Ekstrom had chosen a
table in a corner we'll removed from
any in use. Lanyard could speak with
out fear Of being overheard.
But for a moment he refrained. Nor
did Ekstrom speak or stir-sitting
Sidewise at his table, negIigently, with
knees crossed the German likewise
kept a hand buried in the pocket Of
his heavy. dark ulster Thus neither
could doubt the others i'll will or pre-
paredness.
"Ekstrom." the adventurer said
quietly, if you fire, I'll get you before
! fall That's no boast-a simple state
ment of fact
The German hesitated, moistened the
corners of his lips with a nervous
tongue, but contented himself with
nod Of acknowledgment
Take your hand off that gum" Ian
yard ordered "Remember-I'ye only
to cry your name aloud to have you
torn to pieces by these people Your
LIES not worth a moments purchase
in Paris-as you should know"
The German hesitated but in his
heart conceded that Lanyard didn't ex-
aggerate. The murder of the inventor
Huysman had exasperated all France;
and though tonight the weather had
kept a third of Paris within doors,
there was still tide Of pedestrians
fluent on the sidewalk. beyond the
fimsy barrier Of frs, that would thick
en- to q rayening mob upon the least
excuse.
He had mistaken his man; he had
thought that Lanyard, even if aware Of
his pursuit. would seek to shake it off
in fight rather than turn and fight
and fight here. Of all places!
DO you hear me?' Lanyard con-
tinued in the same level and unyield-
Ing tone Bring both hands in sight
upon the tablet"
There was no hesitation. Ekstrom
obeyed. if with the sullen grace of
wild beast that would and could STAY
its trainer with one sweep of it's paw
ii only it dared.
For the first time since leaving the
girl Lanyard relaxed his vigilant watch
over the man long enough for one swift
glance through the window at his
side. But she was already gone from
the cafei
He breathed more freely now.
"Come!" he said percmptorily. Get
up. We've got to talk, l presume
thrash this matter out-and Wen come
to no decision here"
Where do we go, then?" the Ger
man demanded suspiciously.
''We can waIb"