Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-02-17
CHAPTER III.
A Point of Interro cation.

ing to Roddy, but without success,
thanks to the hum of voices that filled
the room. In time, however, the gath
ering began to thin out, until at length
there remained only this party OF
three, Lanyard enjoying a most de-
lectable salad and Roddy putting a CT
gar with such evidence of enjoyment
that Lanyard suspected him of the
sin of smuggling) and slowly empty
ing another bottle of Bass.
Under these conditions the talk be-
tween De Morbihan and the Ameri-
cans became public property.
The first remark overheard by Lam
yard came from the nlderly American,
following a pause and a consultation
of his watch.
Quarter to eleven" he announced.
Plenty of time" said De Morbihan
cheerfully. THAT is" he amended, ''if
mademoiselle isn't bored"
The girls reply, something which
was accompanied by a pretty inclina-
ton Of her head toward the French
man, was lost in the others accents.
He had a strong and sonorous voice.
in strange contrast with his ravaged
appearance and distressing cough
Don't let that hurry you" he ad-
vised cheerfully. "Lucia's accustomed
to keeping late hours with me; and
whoever heard of a young and pretty
woman being bored on the third day
Of her first visit to Paris?"
He pronounced the name with tbs
soft sc" of the Italian tongue, as
though = were spelled "Luchia."
ITO be sure" laughed the French
man; zone suspects it will be long be-
fore maGemoiselle loses interest in the
Rue de la Paix."
You may well, when such beautiful
things come from it," said the girl
See what we found there today"
She slipped a ring from her hand
and passed it to De Morbihan.
There followed silence for an in
slant, then an exclamation from the
Frenchman:
"But it is superb! Accept, made
moiselie, my compliments. 1t Is wor-
thy even Of you"
She flushed prettily as she nodded
smiling acknowledgment.
"Ah, you Americana" De Morbihan
sighed. You fill us with envy-you
have the souls of poets and the wealth
of princes!"
But we must come to Paris to find
beautiful things for our womenfolk!"
Take care, though, lest you go too
far, M. Bannon."
"HOW so-too far?''
"You might attract the attention of
the Lone Wolf. They say he's on the
prowl once more"
The American laughed a trace con-
temptuously. Lanyard's fingers tight
ened on his knife and fork; otherwise
he made no sign. A sidelong glance
into mirror at his elbow showed
Roddy still absorbed in the Daily Mail.
The girl bent forward with a lock
Of eager interest.
"The Lone Wolf? Who is that?"
"You don't know him in America,
mademoiselle?"
moo"
"The Lone Wolf, my dear Lucia"
the valetudinarian explained in dry
and humorous accents, sis the sobri-
quet fastened by some imaginative
French reporter upon a celebrated
criminal who seems to have made him
self something of a pest over here
these last few years. Nobody knows
anything definite about him, apparent
ly, but he operates in most individ-
ual way and keeps the police busy try
ing to guess where he'll strike next"
The girl breathed an incredulous ex-
clamation.
But l assure you!" De Morbihan
protested. "The rogue has had a won
derfully successful career, thanks to
his dispensing with confederates and
combining his depredations to jewels
and similar aluables-portable and
easy to convert into cash. Yet" he
added, nodding sagely, lone is not
afraid to predict that his race is al
most run"
you don't tell mel" the older man
exclaimed. Have they picked up the
scent-at last?''
"The man is known" De Morbihan
affirmed.
By now the conversation had caught
the interest of several lettering wait
ers, who were listening open-mouth-
ed; and even Roddy seemed a bit
startled, and for once forgot to make
business with his newspaper, but his
wondering stare was exclusively for
De Morbihan
Lanyard put down knife and fork,
swallowed a final mouthful of Haul
Brion, and lighted a cigarette with the
hand Of a man who knew not the
meaning Of nerves.
"Garcon!" he called quietly, and or
dered coffee and cigars, with a liqueur
to follow
Known" the American exclaimed.
They've caught him, eh?"
81 didn't say that" De Morbihan
laughed; 'but the mystery is no more.
in certain quarters"
who is he, them"
"That-monsieur will pardon me-.
I'm not yet free to state Indeed,
may be indiscreet in saying as much
as I do. Yet, among friends"
His shrug suggested that, as far as
he was concerned, walters were not
human and the other guests of the
establishment nonresident.
But" the American protested, per.