The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-01-06
PRoLoGUE-(continued.)

=
Genius that he was In the reading
Of mems minds he felt that he knew
tn" result of that ten minutes deliber-
alton. And then What then2
=. In his imagination he saw him
self supreme in power. glutted with 1t
III king, an autocrat, who had only to
lift his finger to plunge his kingdom
into destruction and humiliation.
And when he had done it. and the
country he hated was In ruins, then he
would claim his million and enjoy 1t as
great man should enjoy a great re-
ward. &c., Thus for the space Of ten
minutes did the Count see visions and
Dire II, drcaIuN. That the force he pro-
posed 10 tnmIprr with was dangerous
farce d .siurbed him mot al all he was
D dangerous man. That this scheme
would bring ruin, perhaps death, to
thousands Of innocent men and women
caused him no qualm: he was a su-
preme egoist. All that appealed to
him was that he had SEEM the oppor-
tunity that existed, and that he had
the nerve and the brain to turn that
opportunity to his own advantage.
Only the necessary money was lacking
E. and . With quick movement
he pulled out his watch. They had
had their ten minutes The matter
was settled, the die was cast. 8.
He rose and walked across the
lounge. For an appreciable moment
the Count paused by the door, and a
faint smile came to his lips. Then
he opened 1t, and passed into the room.
The American was still chewing his
toothpick; Steinemann was still
breathing hard. Only Won Graft had
changed his occupation and he was
sitting at the table smoking a long
thin cigar. Tho Count closed the door,
and walked over to the fireplace. -.
"Well, gentlemen" he said quietly,
"what have you decided?"
1t was the American who answered
at goes. With one amendment
The money is too big for three Of US:
there must be fourth. That will be
"a quarter Of a million each"
The Count bowed.
"Have you any suggestions as to
whom the fourth should be?"
yep" said the American shortly.
"These two gent!emen agree with me
that 1t should be another Of my coun-
trymen-so that we get equal numbers.
The man we have decided on Is COM
ing to England III few weeks-Hlram
c. Potts. If you get him in, you can
count us in. too. If not, the deals
or"
The Count nodded, and If he felt any
annoyance at this unexpected develop
ment he showed no sign Of 1t on his
face.
81 know of Mr.. Potts" he answered
quickly. "Your big shipping man, isn't
he2 agree to your reservation"
Good" said the American, Let's
discuss some details"
Without a trace Of emotion on his
face the Count drew up a chair to the
table. 1t was only when he sat down
that he started to play tattoo on his
knee with his left hand.
Half an hour later he entered his
luxurious suite of rooms at the Hotel
Magnificent.
A girl, who had been lying by the
fire reading French novel, looked up
at the sound of the door. She did not
speak, for the look on his face told her
all she wanted to know.
He crossed to the sofa and smiled
down at her.
successful on our own terms.
Tomorrow, Irma, the Comte de Guy
dies, and Carl Peterson and his daugh-
ter leave for England. A country gen.
s.eman, l think, is Carl Peterson. He
might keep hens, and possibly pigs"
The girl on the sofa rose, yawning.
"Mon Dieu what prospect Pigs
and hens-and in England How long
Is 1t going to takeT
The Count looked thoughtfully into
the fire.
perhaps year-perhaps six
months. II 10 on the lap Of the
0oda