Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-07-05

ognize the name, but Lepine's face
was suddenly illumined.
"Crochard," he explained, lis
the most adroit, the most daring:
the most accomplished scoundrel
with whom / have ever had to deal
Surely Monsieur remembers the
affair of the Michaelovitch dia-
mondsi"
"Ah, yesl" cried Delcasse, his
face, too, lighting. $50 that was
Crochard!"
"Crochard the Invincible, he
calls himself, growled Pigot. "He
is a great braggart."
"And with some reason" added
Lepine. eve have never yet been
able to convict him."
He restored the Mazarin dia-
mond to the Louvre, did he not?''
queried the minister. "And also
the Mona Lisa?"
"The Mazarin certainly" as
sented Lepine. Gas for the Mona
Lisa, | have never been quite Ger
tain. There is a rumor that the
original is now owned by an
American millionaire, and that the
picture returned to the Louvre is
only a copy-a wonderful one, it
is true. Where did you meet him,
Pigot7"
Pigot related the story of the
meeting, while Delcasse listened
thoughtfully.
lis he to be trusted?" he asked,
when Pigot had finished.
"In this affair / believe So" an
swered Lepine quietly. Gle may
be as good a patriot as you or [.
If he is really in earnest, he can be
of immense assistance. He has alb
solute command of the under
world, and a thousand sources of
information which are closed to
the police. At least, it can do no
harm to hear what he has to say
Delcasse agreed with a nod, and
sat down again.
"Bring him in,'' he said, and a
moment later Crochard entered.
If M. Delcasse had expected to
perceive anything of the criminal
in the man who bowed to him re-
specially from the threshold, he
was most thoroughly disappointed.
What he did see was a well built
man in the very prime Of life, with
clear and fearless eyes Of greenish-
gray fecked with yellow, a face
singularly open and engaging, and
a manner as easy and self pos
sessed as Delcassee s. own. The on
ly sign of approaching age was the
sprinkle of gray in the crisp,
brown hair, but this served rather
to accentuate the yonthfulness Of
the face, covered now by a coat of
tan which bespoke a summer spent
in the open. In any company, this
man would have been notable.
IN. Crochard, | believe" said
Delcasse, and involuntarily the
great minister arose and returned
his visitors bow. BE seated,
SIR
@Thank you,'' said Orchard,
and sat down. IT see that we are
going to appreciate each other
he added, and looked at Delcasse
with a friendly smile.
That gentleman's eyes were
twinkling behind his glasses, and
his lips twitched under his heavy
m%oustache.
1t always pleases me to meet
a distinguished man," he said, Sin
whatever field Of endeavor. M. Lee
pine tells me that you are most dis
tinguished."
M. Lepine has every reason to
know agreed Crochard, and
glanched smilingly toward the
project.
Though, since l have eyes, I
can see that for myself" added
the minister. why did you wish
to see met"
wished to see you, sir, an
swered Orchard, suddenly seri-
Gus, because I have long recog-
nized in you the only man whom
France possesses who sees clearly
the struggle which is ahead of her,
who prepares ceaselessly for that
struggle, and who is strong
enough to guide her through it tri-
sumphantly."
ITO what struggle do you re-
feri' inquired the minister, but
his shining eyes belied his care
less tone.
The struggle to regain posses
sion Of Alsace-Lorraine and to
avenge ourselves upon the nation
which once Inundated u.s.
a slow flush creptA into Del
casse's cheeks, and his lips tight
nno1