The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-30

6a80 QuItn8 0IuuSrs us DSIVAhe ASA.N~~
It to me by mistake. My husband took
1t from me at once. but It was too late.
had read It"
What did 1t say"
Something like this: BE at the Boule-
ward Maillot at . this evening with the
exchange. the letters When dinner was
over. I went UP to my room and came
on here
took them to the big room. We found
that there was Just space for the three
OF US under the chimney nsantei. and that
we Guild hide behind the velvet curtain.
Nine. Andermatt sat down between
Da.pry and myself. We had q view OF
the whole room through the Sits In the
-hangings.
The clock struck ,. A few minutes
later the garden gate grated on Its
hinges.
A man entered a room. and at once
recognized Alfred Warm by his strong
resemblance to his brother Etienne. He
came in with the anxious air OF a man
who Is accustomed to fear ambushes
around him. who suspects them and
avoids them
A sound of footsteps approached. NJ.
Andermatt appeared upon the threshold.
The banker uttered an exclamation OF
surprise.
"Youl Youi Was 1t you that sent for
me?"
your letter."
1T never wrote to you"
You never wrote to me!'
Instinctively Warm took up position
Of defense. not against the banker, but
against the unknown foe who had drawn
time his eyes turned In our direction.
and. with quick step. he moved to-
ward the door.
NJ. Andermatt blocked his way.
Let me pass"
mo, no, no. you shall not pass"
varin fell back, eowed by the bankers
rksolute attitude. and mumbled:
BE quick. then: say what you have to
say. and be done with it!'
After a moment NJ. Andermatt went
of him and looking him straight in tho
eyes, said:
NOW that years have passed. and that
you have nothing more to fear, answer
me frankly. var1n. What have you done
with Louis Lacombe? You and your
brother followed his every footstep. you
almost lived with him in this very house
where we are standing. You Gnew all
about his work. all about his schemes.
And on that last evening. Warm. when
saw Louis Lacombe to my front door.
caught sight of two figures lurking In
the shadow. 1t was your brother and
you. Varin."
prove it."
why. the best proof IL that, two days
later you yourself showed mo the papers
and plans which you had found in La
combe's portfolio. and offered to sell
them to me. How did those papers come
into your possessionT'
st told you. N. Andermatt. that We
found them on Louis Lacomoe's table tho
next morning after he had disappeared"
That's a lie.'
prove IT."
ha~ N
'why didn't you go to the police7"
why? All. why?"
He was silent. with . gloomy face
'You see. NJ. Andermatt. II you had
had the least certainty. you would not
have allowed our little threat to pre-
vent you"
"What threat7 Those lettersr Do you
imagine that ever believed for mo-
ment-"
III you did not believe in those let
tiers. why did you offer me untold money
to give them up7 And why. since then.
like wild beasts?'
ITO recover the plans which wanted"
"Nonsensei You wanted the letters!
Once in possession of the letters, you
would have informed against US. You
didn't catch me parting with themr A
sudden fit of laughter interrupted him.
But enough OF this. So wen drop the
subject"
1--WE will do nothing Of the kind" said
the banker. land. now that you have
spoken Of the letters. you shall not go
from this place without handing them
over to me-"
Listen to me. NJ Andermatt: 4 ad-
wise you"
"You shall not CO."
1--WE shall see," said Warm. in 20 fu-
rious q tone that Nine. Andermatt stified
a faint cry.
He must have heard It. for he tried to
pass by force. M. Andermatt pushed
him back violently. Then I saw him
slip his hand into his Jacket pocket
A shot rang out. The weapon fell to
tho ground.
was dumfounded. The shot had been
fired from my side. And 1t was Daspry
who, with a pistol bullet had dashed the
revolver out OF Alfred varin's hand!
Standing suddenly between the two ad-
versaries. facing Warm. he sneered:
you're lucky. my friend. you're jolly
lucky! I aimed at your hand and hit
him in confusion. He said to the banker:
Forgive me. sir. for interfering in what
does not concern me. But really you
play your cards very badly. Let me hold
them for you
Turning to the other:
Now then. my lad; and play the
game, please. Hearts are trumps and ]
lead the seven!'
And he banged the iron plate with the
| seven red pips within three inches Of
Varin's nose.
Never did see a man 50 taken aback.
Livid. his eyes starting from his head.
his features distorted with agony, Warm
| seemed hypnotized by the sight before
| him.
who are your he stammered. What
i do you want?'
'Ar that you've brought
I've brought nothing"
Yes. you have. or you wouldn't have
come. You received a note this morning
telling you to be here at o'clock, and
| to bring all the papers you had. Well.
you're here. Where are the papers7
Warm, now entirely subdued, pointed
| to one Of hfs pockets:
The papers are in there"
Are thew the COPIES or the originals 7''