Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-08-23

discoveries before him-though no
doubt he has already made them
for himself. Tell him he must not
desert us-that without him, we
are lost!"
Lepine was grateful for the
darkness, for his cheeks were red
with humiliation. But, after all,
NJ. Delcasse was right. He rose
with a sigh.
~ will seek him at once, SIR
he said.
Understand we'll, Lepine,"
said the minister, more gently, cit
is not you | blame. You have done
all that is possible with the means
at your command. But we can
not afford to fail. In an affair of
this kind, the public is not reason
able. Should we fail, and should
our failure become known, as it al
most surely would, the ministry
might find itself swept away be-
fore the storm. SO we must find
Crochard."
II agree with you, SIR said
Lepine, and took his leave.
The Cafe DIES Voyageurs was
crowded when he reached it, and.
he had some difficulty in finding
a seat. The marines who had been
searching the wreck had, at last,
been released from duty, and had,
with one accord fastened ashore
to refresh themselves at the ex-
pense of a populace eager to listen
to every detail. The cafe hummed
with talk; weird and revolving
stories of the search were told
with gusto; the completeness of
the destruction was described the
survivors dwelt upon their sensa-
lions at the moment of the ex-
plosion; the heroism Of the res
cuers was not forgotten; but, and
Lepine noted this with a little sigh
of relief, nowhere was there an
intimation that the disaster was
other than an accident.
He sat there for half an hour.
listening to all this, and, then, as
Crochard made no sign, he sum-
monel the head waiter and re-
quested a word with the proprie-
tor. With a nod, as of one who
expected the request, the man
turned and again led the way to
the door at the rear of the room.
elm there, SIR" he said, and
closed it when Lepine had entered.
A single candle burned on the
table in the center of the little
room, and beyond it sat a man. At
the first glance, in the semidark-
ness, Lepine fancied it was Gro
chard; then he saw that this man
was slighter, that his face was
bloodless, and that he was staring
with hunted eyes.
With a little start of surprise,
he looked again; then he sat down.
$50, Samson, it is you'll" said
Lepine, quietly.
Eyes, SIR" answered Samson.
II was expecting you. But / did
not think you would recognize me
so readily"
Lepine laughed shortly.
~ have a good memory" he
said. "Crochard told you, per-
haps, that l might Gomez"
Eyes, sir and he directed that I
give you this"
He handed Lepine a note. The
latter broke the seal, held it to the
light and read it carefully:
my Dear NJ. Lepine-I have
found it necessary to leave Toulon,
in the pursuit of a certain bust
ness, whose nature you can guess.
llhope soon to have good news for
": Delcasse and yourself. Mean
while, 1 would remind you Of our
agreement as to my friends. Sam
son is one of them. He has already
been of some service in this affair,
and may be Of more. We can dis.
cqss his future upon my return. /
will answer for him.
"Crochard, L 'Invincible!"
Lepine refolded the note and
slipped it into his pocket.
When did Crochard leave"
he asked.