The Halifax Comet. — 1893-10-14 (Halifax, West Yorkshire, England)

THE COMET. it  this matter softly in order not to have the embassy after us. One case was trite eno The Parisian ofiker is popular in the di.. matic world, and his death would have •e a dreadful to-do, whilst he will take very &oat care not to brag about the Ichooral ; Fretirh are as vain as " " Right ! But if our fellows had been caught patting his head in a bag and robbing him they would have been clapped in prison just as well as for a murder. We run precisely the same risk, inasmuch as the rogues might be bribed to blab or threatened with the stinado, and if they spoke "If they did, tMy could not say anything against us, whom they do not know. I repeat that the danger lies not on that side. What must be principally avoided is leaving too many dead bodies about the street& The government only begs to be left in repose, so do not drive them into meddling with our business. Besides, I have made my mark, which was to recover the money the Frenchman took away." "Which you were fool enough to let him win. What could you be thinking of during the game, which ‘ll but cost us dear ? " "What of that young Russian, who was a much more dangerous player than the Frenchman ? I did not let him win—mark that; but a man cannot manage everything." "He killed himself, they say." "Just no, on going out, and unwittingly did us a good turn, for the suicide was proven, and that throws doubt on the true cause of other deaths. These Turk doctors are such asses ! " "At least our men found more money on the. Frenchman than he took from the bank ? "  "Ye., a hundred naps, I believe, to say nothing of a splendid watch and some trinket.." "A rot to boast of, indeed I" "We shall do better another time."  "Yes, indeed, for I want this captain to be made away with in a week." " Eh ! A particular grudge against him?" " Maybe." There was a short silence, the younger man studying the other. "Is there truth, then, in the tale that's going round ? " he queried. "What tale, please?" drily demanded the elder.  " That you think of marrying the daughter of that French banker who comes here to arrange the new loan ! " "Suppose this were so, what have you got to say against it, eh ? " "I? Nothing, by Satan! but our companions might reasonably be startled at the marriage." " Who? The Sons of Hiram ? "  "Of course. You are grand master of the order, and know to what your dignfty obligee you., "Not to reveal our secrets to anybody, and that's all."  "1 grant that! But the rule we all obey keeps us single. and I do not believe you are going to brmk it." "Who told you that I was going to wed this Christian girl in earnest! Don't you know that I hate the followers of Jesus even more than the brutes who obey the law of Mahomet? " "So it's not a serious design ? " "I might answer you that I have not to account to you, but I am willing to tell you that I cherish projects interesting the w,hole order, and that I must collogue with this Vergoncey the better to make them succeed. I despise the man, and I care little for the daughter, but I need them." "1 own that I cannot clearly comprehend how the Sons of Hiram can be interested in—''  is a nuisance, and give your orders in consequence." It shall be done, master. Would you now be pleased to hoax the reports of our associates? This ix Friday, and it is past five. They are awaiting the call." "Rave any searches been made about the strange disappearance of that lantern ?" "I sent out our most cunning trackers, but they have discovered nothing; yet I am told I shall receive important intelligence to-day." "Well, call our men in."  The other rose and went to press four electricbell kncibs, one in each of the faces of the woodwork around the assembly-room. The rings must have been heard and taken for a signal, since only a few instants went by before there was a knocking at all four side partitions at the same time.  The younger of the two masks replied by one sonorous word, upon which four doors opened to let in as many persons of diverse aspect. On the right appeared a handsome Albanian, in embroidered vest and white kilt, his legs in tight gaiters of needle-worked leather and his belt bristling with daggers and pistols! his moustachios floated on the air, his eyes shone haughtily, and he carried his arms akimbo, altogether a figure to be cast in bronze and set as a pedestal supporter to a statue of Byron. On the left timidly sneaked in an old Jew with forked grey beard, sordidly clad half as a European, half as an Oriental, uncomely, greasy, bent, yellow, and creased as a mediaeval parchment. From the third side leaped in like a jack-ina-box, a tall rascal of a Circassian, capped with a round sheepskin headpiece, and wearing a bandolier of cartridge-cases across his pigeon. breast.  _A