South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-09-13
-(4kjIqtI;s;,IlpEonoWlf
> 49, - by Louis
~ Joseph Vance
-.EL%rXNcNz8 - epn International Magazine Company
y Louis
)Sehh Vance
epu International MaEazias Company

/ dead. In June. 1914. she had mar
ried. in Paris. Victor Maurice de
Nontalais. who had been killed I'm
action AZ La Fere- ChampenOise on
the ninth OF September following.
Her home? The Chateau dc Mont
alais.
On the hand Duchemin saw a
blue diamond Of such superb water
that this amateur OF precious stones
caught his breath for sheer wonder
at its beauty and excellence and
worth. such jewels. ne knew. wer2
few and far TO seek outside the
collections Of princes.
The mellow resonance OF a two
toned automobile horn. disturbing
Duchemin'S meditations, recalled
him 10 Nant in time TO see a tour
ing car Of majestic proportions
which was sweeping a fine curve.
round two sides Of the public square
Instantly. as the wheels ceased 10
turn. young man in the smartest
livery imaginable, green furnished
with gold. leaped smartiy from the
drivers seat. with military precl-
sion opened the door OF the ton
neau and holding It. immobiiized
himself into the semblance Of
waxwork image with the dispassion-
ate eye. the firm mouth. and the
closely razOred. square jowls Of the
mojel chaffeur.
Rustics and townsfolk were al
I ready gathering, when from tho
tonneau descended first a long ard
painfully emaciated gentleman.
whose face was a CadaverOUs mask
Of settled melancholy and his chosen
toilette for motoring cas- might &c
seen through the open and tapping
I front CT his ulster) a tightly tailored
light gray cutaway coat and trou-
sers. with a double breasted white
waistcOat, a black satin Ascot scarf
transfixed by a single splendid pearl,
and spotless white spats
His hand. as gGunt as a Skeletons,
assisted 20 alight a young woman
whose brilliant blond beauty, view
ed for the first time in evening sha-
dows, was like a shaft Of sunlight
in a darkened room. A well-made
creature, becOmingly and mod.shly
gowned for motoring. spirited yet
dignifed in carriage. she was like
vision of the Rue de la PaiX
Following her a third passenger
4 presented the well-nourished indeed
rotund. person of a Freedman Of
thirty devoted 10 'le Sport; as
witness his aggressively English
tweeds and the single glass screwed
/ into his right eye-sccket.
Like shapes from some suparbly
oostumed pageant of high life in the
twentieth century this trio drifted.
rather than merely walked like NOR
tails, across the terrasse and into
| the Cafe de PCnivers.
But there are more and better to
come
There remained IN the car a mere
average man. undistinguished but by
lack Of especial distinction, sober
OF habit. economical of gesture,
dressed in a simple lounge suit such
as anybody might wear. beneath a
rough and ready-made motor coat.
I'VE dine here. Jules" he an.
nounced in English.
Settling into place behind tie
wheel Jules saluted with fine finish
and Difference.
Very good. Mr. Phinuit sir" ne
| said reekly. in the same tongue.
To this he added. coolly, and in
precisely the tone of respect tina.
Iecame his livery. What's the awful
idea. you big stif?"
Mr.. Phinuit betrayed not the
slightest sense Of anything untoward
IN this mode of address
why" he said pleasan ly-"you
misbegotten garage hound-why do
YOU ask ?"
In the same manner Jules replied:
Cant you see it's gcing to rain ?"
so 1t IS" Mr. Phinuit commented
amiably: indeed. not without a Ger
tain hint Of satisfaction. Blessed
if you don't see everything!"
How do you get that way? To
you want us all 10 get soaked to
our sLins?"
My dear jules Mr.. Ph!nuit re-
turned with a winning smile ~
don't give a tupenny damn II We
do"
: At that moment arrived the cal
/ cche which Duchemin had COM
manded 10 drive him to the chateau:
and with ride Of two miles before
him and rain imminent. ne had 70
more time to waste.
CONTINUED I'm Our Next Jssue)