The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-04-08
CHAPTER XVIII.
Monsieur Exp!ains,


From considerable experience with
the Latin temperament, l long ago
came to the conclusion that it works
in "a mysterious way its wonders to
perform and certainly it's emotional
reactions are so much more hiStrionic
than one is accustomed to in Anglo
Saxon life that was not completely
unhinged when monsieur collapsed in
chair and buried his face in his
hands and began to sob. Even then l
had sneaking suspicion that he was
| not without an eye to the main chance
in its dramatic effect on me; his fate
was in my hands and he had to make
every appeal thatswould work.
/ said, "Ssh" and tiptoed back along
the hall, threw open the front door as
wide as l could get it on the chain-bolt
and peeped out to see if the detective
had returned and was eavesdropping.
But though / thought / heard slight
shutting noise on the stairs, / could
see nothing and did not dare to inves-
tigate more intimately and went back
Ito my study with another "Ssh" to
monsieur, who by this time was alive
again to the case.
1T was you he was after-didn't
you hear what he said?"
"Oui-I hear everysing-and 1t is
my little Claire" He buried his face
in his hands and his shoulders heaved
as if he were weeping.
didn't relish this sort of scene
with him, and besides, time was press
ing-if this man were trying to find
Claire and kidnap her, something had
to be done Immediately.
"Do you sink Eat man suspects am
here?" asked monsieur, suddenly look
ing up.
'No-I don't see how he can. But
think he's trying to find out where you
are'
"Oui And why does he seek me?
Only Eat he knows if I have my daugh-
ter still wis me-and can protect her
from zoze who have already seek to
steal her from me once before"
"Oh! Then you know who this is?'
II do not see him, but 1 sink to rec
ognize his voice. 1t is a plot against
us-it is a plot. on re part of France
to prevent re treaty wis Mexico. Out |!
Mon Dieu- it has in some way be-
come known Eat am re secret mes
senger of re emperor and spies are
sent out to follow me and if not to kill
me, at least to keep me from going to
to Iz4
Monsieur put the case tersely. And
tragically.
"And do you not see re plot?' he
cried. "Zey accuse me Of some crime
-zey have me put under arrest and
while I am in prison zey get my little
Claire"
But what crime, monsieur? You
have not done anything on this side Of
the water, have you, that any one can
get hold Off"
"Bah! I do Messing! ley bring
forged papers from France-perha
zey extradite me before can even say
farewell to my child"
"But haven't you got some proofs On
your side?" ventured. "You can make
| 1t evident to the court"
"TO--ze-courtw he fairly hinsed
the words at me-, mon Dieu-whnt is
| 1t you say? Re messenger Of re nm
peror under arrest in American" He
drew out his handkerchief aud wiped
his brow. what does it matter if
prove, zis or zat-I am under arrest
she is left at re mercy Of zoze scoun-
drels. could kill zem with my naked
hands!"
"Why not let Mrs. Delario take her
Immediately to California;" was the
bright suggestion from me.
He met it with scorn. How far does
madame get her? To Chicago? To
Pittsburgh? l'.ohably she does not
even leave New York! She gets into
a sleeping-car, and man--two men
man and a woman, perhaps-step up
to her and say, You are kidnapping Eat
young girl-y0a are under arrest
come wis us Immediately And Ma
dame DelariO-what does she do? She
goes wis zem-naturally she dares
not do uzzerwise. She gets in a car
rage wis z0ze strange people and zey
take her where zey please-she and
a young girl can do Messing. / do not
| need to be told how easy it isl have
experience in zoze sings-I know how
easy it will be, even in your boosted
New York and your America be-
cause know re people I have 10 deal
wis"
/ realized that that was the way he
had fixed it for me-the time he sent
me the decoy telegram-but | did not
remind him of it. Instead. / admit
| ted:
"Yes-I see, it could be done. 1t
wouldn't be safe.
"Zey aare nnI for Eat ne broke in.