Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-07-27
CHAPTER F1vE-(continued).

LIZ mduc JUS way dI ldSL 10 tne
Qual de Cronstadt and joined the
crowd which a staring at the
wreck. A barge had been moored
alongside, and a heavy a was
Lifting the detached debris into it
and clearing the way for the
searching parties. On the quay
opposite the wreck, at Number
Ten, Vas a cafe, the Cafe DIES Voy-
ageurs as it's sign announced, and
to this Lepine presently crossed,
sat down at a table and ordered
a book.
the cafe was crowded, for it's
situation could not have been more
fortunate; a steady stream of
money had poured into the pockets
of its proprietor ever since the dis
aster. The shattered windows were
IN themselves an advertisement,
and no effort had as yet been made
to replace them. Lepine looked
about the place with interest. 1t
was not large, but it had a certain
air of prosperity bespeaking a
good patronage, even at ordinary
times. At the Prefecture, Lepine
had made some discrete inquiries
concerning it's proprietor, who, he
was told, had the reputation of be-
ing an honest fellow and had never
been in trouble with the police.
Nevertheless, as a friend of Gro
chard's Lepine would have well
coined a look at him; but the place
at the moment was apparently in
charge Of the head waiter. 1t was
the head waiter himself who re-
sponded when Lepine raped for
the addition" and, as he paid it,
slipped a note into his hand. Lee
pine opened it, under cover of his
hat, and found that it contained a
single line:
Monsieur c. will welcome a confer
ence with Monsieur L."
Without a word, Lepine arose
and followed the man, who crossed
the room, opened a door at the
father end of it, stood aside for
him to pass, and then gently closed
1T. Lepine found himself in a little
room with a single window OPEN
ing upon a court. 1t was furnished
with a table and three chairs, and
at the table sat Crochard. He
motioned Lepine to a seat.
was expecting you," he said,
with a little smile land | am glad
you came. In the presence of that
good Pigot, one cannot talk freely.
Indeed, it was with the greatest
difficulty that / maintained a So
Der countenance. He was so as
tonished, SO overwhelmed, that you
and ! should be working together
that we should be able to sit in
the same room without flying at
each Others threats. If he only
knew
is it necessary to 60 into
thatY' asked Lepine.
why mott You have no reas-
on to be ashamed Of it. If you
have sought my aid from time to
time, it was because you realized.
that Crochard the Invincible has
sources Of information which are
closed to the police"
said as much to M. Delcasse.
Twas not Of myself I was think
ing, but of you. What If your
friends knewf'
Ny friendsi I have never be.
trayed my friends, as you know
we'll. Surely, Lepine, you have
understood that, if / assisted Won.
II was only because it suited me
to do SOL
&. Yes, 1 have understood that"
assented Lepine, flushing q little
2at the other tone. "You always
had bargain to propose. What
- the bargain this timef', /,
There is no bargain" re-
,torted Crochard curtlys ask
nothing
Lspiiae east at him an aston
ished glance.
What! cried Crochard, his
face suddenly red, lyon cannot
ftieye me tE1th, thenSi II seems
tHeredible4oyp that should,
couIitryf Well doslove.
k4r. ana j arn koin1stO proyeit by