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Show Sahara project and who later mar-- I ried widow, Madame la IYlncesse de Grandlleu?" O'Rourke took a long breath and looked hls questioner up and down. "Ye have a very pretty taste in the matters of Impertinences," he said gravely. "However, let that pas. I'm the same man." "A thousand pardons. Camion In marers suth as this " A shrug com- i. pleted the thought most eloquently. ''You can give me proofs of jour identity, then?" O'Rourke got to his feet. "Froofs! Believe me, monsieur, ye have all the proof I'm willing to give ye, aud that's ruy last word. If ye find it Insufficient, 030 WILDUR D.NESBIT il i. omjyan SkfflZZUED why, smm then" Pardou!" Des Trebes Interrupted, 1 am myself more than conrising. tent. But the Government of France SYNOPSIS. story open at Monte Carlo with Trrrnre O'Rourke. a militaryIn tree Ills Inner and something of a gambler. hotel, leaning on the balcony he area a beautiful girl who auddenly enter thy elevator and paaaea from aight. Tli Col. CHAPTER II. cloth with stakes too numerous for hls Intelligence to keep count of; and the adventurer shifted in hla seat, reviewing the assemblage. For some momenta, through the mysterious working of that sixth sense which men are pleased vaguely to denominate Intuition, he had been subconsciously aware of being the object of some person's fixed regard, that somebody was not only watching, but weighing him. He sought the source of this sensation and, for a little time, sought it unsuccessfully. Annoyed, he persisted. He heard the croupier's mechanical "Rein ne va plug," followed by the whirring of the wheel, hut cared so little that he would not turn to watch the outcome. Only an exclamation of the Austrian's appraised him of the fact that red had won. He glanced listlessly round to see the money doubled, and let It rest, turning back to hls survey of the throng. A moment later hla attention became fixed upon two men who stood in the doorway, looking toward him. Again the whe d buzzed, the ball clattered and was still. The word rouge among others in the announcement told him that again he had won ; this time, however, he did not turn, but, frowning In speculation, stared back at the two. Stared? Indeed and he did Just that. il It was impertinent, sure and were they not staring at him? And who should gainsay an O'Rourke the right to stare at anybody, be be king or commoner? who Furthermore, might these men be, and what their interest in himself? The one was tall and slender, saturnine; an elegant, owing as much to the art of bia tailor and upholsterer a to hla own indisputable, native distinction ; a Frenchman at least of a type unquestionably Gallic. Hls face was very pale, his fine, pointed mustache very precise, jaw square, forehead high, eye a deep and daik beneath brows heavy, level and black, manner marked by a repose almost threatening in its impassibility. His companion was shorter of stature, a younger man by at least ten years, rather stout and very nervous, with a fresh red face marred by hallmarks of dissipation; British, every iuch of him. I'm mused That, thinking," will be the Honorable O'Rourke, Bertie Glynn. Faith, he looks the part, at least; Us just that kind underbred, without brains or real stamina that would run through a sterling inside a year." But the other? "Monsieur," the little Austrian stammered excitedly in hls ear, for you the red had doubled a fourth time." Thank ye, replied O'Rourke without moving. 'Twill turn up seven, this run. The system-gamble- r subsided, petri- After that bitter disappointment big in hie personal appearance dwindled to the negligible. In a black temper with himself (whom alone he blamed for the deception to which he had fallen too facile a victim) he searched blindly 'for a fresh tie, found it somehow, and knotted it round his collar in the most haphazard fashion imaginable. Then be shrugged a dress roat uiion his shoulders and marched fnnh to dine. In this humor he propelled himself with determination Into the public restaurant of the establishment, and. oblivious to the allure of many pairs of bright eyes that brightened all too readily to challenge his, Insisted upon a table ail to himself, and dined in solitary grandeur, comporting himself openly as a morose and misunderstood person, and to his waiter with a manner so near rude that the latter began almost to respect him. After some time he was disgusted to discover that he felt better. An impulse toward analysis led him to probe the psychology of the change, with the result that he laid the blame for it at the door or the neck of a So he ordered ot excellent burgundy. another, and, resolutely dismissing from his mind the woman who had no right whatever to be able to sing a certain song the way she had, set his wita to work on the riddle of Tomorrow. To a man whose trade was fighting, the world Just then was a most place, too peaceful entirely. Over his coffee the adventurer nodded in despair and frowned in dls gust; then rousing, he summoned the waiter and paid his reckoning with a secret grin at himself, a note and a gesture which splendidly obliterated altogether every trace of suspicion that he intended to take bark any part of the change due him. Trimming and lighting a cigar, he reviewed the restaurant with a listless rye which discovered no one of his acquaintance; therefore, with neither haste nor waste of time, he rose and betook himself to the Casino that is, to the one place where one may feel certain of encountering, koo list or later, everybody who Is anybody within thi bounds of the principality. This night, more particularly than on any preceding it, now that he had made up bia mind to seek betterment nf hia fortunes elsewhere, he played heedlessly, little concerned with the Tate of what money he had about him. lie had set aside a reserve fund sufficient to settle his hotel bill and carry him a considerable distance Into the unknown which he was resolved to and was resigned to lose i.e KniaiinltT. It was a tenet of hla lied of fatalism that chance seldom Inured lib . when he had money in tin pocketa; the tide of his affairs iu ust he at Its lowest ebb ere it turned His policy then was obvious plain: he must fling to the winds nil that which he had. Now never was there a man whs Ida) I'd to lose who didn't win hla point. Colonel O'Rourke's rase can be idled as no exception to this rule El turn to elbow on one side with an artless old lady from Terre Haute, who 'risked her mlnimuma with the ferocious Jealousy of a miser making an unsecured loan, on the other with an intent lit tie Austrian gambler absorbed in the workings of his system.' the adventurer scattered gold upon the numbered and Illuminated grid Iron as unconcernedly as though he had been matching shillings, and saw the coins gathered in by the greedy rake as often ns the little ivory ball ceased to chatter on the wheel. For the better part of an hour this And the little group of continued. besycophants which had gathered hind hla chair to watch hla play A whisper ran dissipated. through the ranks of the habitues that the luck of the mad Irishman had turn ell; and forthwith he ceased to be an object of interest. Only the little Austrian, having ricked the number of stakes pi escribed by hls system for sue evening's play, put away bis notebook and pencil and, surrendering his place to another, lingered behind Oilourke's chair. At Icngili, Inexpressibly bored am too liups.tl'nt to defer the inevitable ran by niggardly wagers, O'Rourke sacked bis pockets and placed the pro reed- s- severed hundred francs I atn ns iguor.nii of (he amount ua he was indifferent to It upon the red. There fi II a lull, the rrouplcr hr. ' lug th w i el to permit an unbaki1 cub n't thic.ixo millions to cover tli Interest half-bottl- fifty-fran- e c Individual pride and spirit In the poise of her head, that O'Rourke could have worn he knew. He waa conscious that he flushed auddenly, that hla heart waa pounding. He made as If to rise and follow, but waa prevented, almost forced back by a hand which the Austrian In hia feverish Interest had unconsciously placed on the Irishman's shoulder. Monsieur, monsieur!" he gasped, his eyes, protruding, fixed upon the wheel. Beads of sweat glistened on hls forehead. He trembled aa though his own fortunes hung on the change. Impressed, O'Rourke could not forbear to linger, to cast a reluctant glance at the table. The size of his pile of gold and notes on the red was a somewhat startling sight to him. Hla breath stopped In hla throat The Ivory sphere was rattling over the compartments to ita predestined place. What If he were to win? O'Rourke began to calculate mentally bow much he had at Btake, how much ha might win if hls careless prediction that red would turn up the seventh' time should come true lost his bearings In a maze of intricate computation and was on the point of abandoning the problem when black waa called. Great God! panted the Austrian, withdrawing his hand. The fortunes of O'Rourke rose. war, me friend," said he with a laugh so unforced that It sound?'1 unnVt1.'--ral- . He strode away hastily, searching the throng In the lobby for her with whom hls mind was occupied to the exclusion of all else. , followed him The system-gamble- r amazewith a stare of Incredulous ment What a man!" said he to himself. If half aloud. A second later he added: What admirable act- Our meeting with Madame was quite accidental. Oh, the dlvvle!" said O'Rourke beneath hls breath. Plainly he might expect nothing more helpful from this man; he had jumped prematurely at a And baseless conclusion, it seemed by now it was much tdo late to think of further pursuit. That la all 1 wished to know, monsieur" he admitted lamely. There was a lady in the group whom I thought 1 recognized. I wished to find her, and fancied ye might perhaps direct me. Ye didn't by any chance happen to hear Mrs. Smyth-Herrlo- t say where she was going with Mr. Glynn? Unhappily, no, monsieur. What can I have i "Very well then. the happiness to serve ye in?" The Frenchman hesitated briefly. This Is a trifle public, he suggested. Will you not be kind enough to walk with me a little distance, while we converse?" Gladly, monsieur." Dea Trebes produced a cigarette case, and together, smoking, the two turned their backs upon the casino and wandered off along the paths of the terraced gardens. Ever descending, they came at length to the secluded, little lighted and less frequented iiortlons of the grounds which border the waterfront, and presently sat side by side upon a bench, looking out over the harbor. Then and then only aid Dea Trebes approach hla subject something Which he had until now studioust ly avoided, distracting the not Irishman by a falling fire of banalities. "I dare lay. Colonel O'Rourke," be yesterday. Smyth-Herrio- tt over-patien- of France! The Government O'Rourke whistled. Is more exacting than I. It knows a certain Colonel O'Rourke and him alone does It need. The tlivvle It does! And what will it be wanting with me?' I can say at present no more than that 1 represent Government in an affair demanding secrecy and dispatch. I have a certain diplomatic mission to discharge, and shall have need, monsieur, of a man strong, bold, venturesome, willing to undertake a long and perhaps perilous Journey." Had Des Trebes been inspired he could have formulated no speech better calculated to Intrigue the Irishmnn; the merest echo of its Import would have fired his hearers fancy. He added: And 1 am authorized to retain for that purpose, should I be fortunate enough to find him unengaged, a certain Colonel Terence O'Rourke." Tls Say no more, monsieur. 'Secrecy dispatch a long enough. and perilous journey!' Faith I'm Just your man!" You have no other business of the moment? None whatever. Then I am Indeed fortunate. And now, I presume, you will no longer object to satisfying me as to your identity." Not In the least. Although, to be candid, monsieur, I'm not In the habit ot carrying ine Bertllllon record about me. But If ye'll have the good nee to accompany me to the Orient, over there, I'll put your mind at ease before ye can aay knife." Dea Trebeg podded. "1 should be be delighted, but unfortunately" 1 i the case of hli watch snapped I a confrere. with an have appointment I May we fix a time In half an hour, lie met me on the rorner, Hu tmik me by the hand; He said he waa delighted That I waa looklns grand. He asked how were my nelghbora; Hu said 'twaa good to see An honest honored fellow He always awora by mu! Ho held my hand and shook It; He slapped me on the back. Ho said: "I'm truly happy To you!" then a whack! He aakeil how was my proapectaf And was I doin' well? An' how waa wheat an apples? And had I corn to aellT ai-- e I rouldn't get a word In; Ho talked right straight If I remember I'm The half of what he aald. Tie told me I'm been mentioned For some hlg consulship, And I should keep my silence I'ntll ha gave the tip, I broke In with That's funny; I never voted here. Ife dropped my hand and left ma And raced off like a deer. He stopped another fellow, And struck that talking gait. I naked a man about Mm. .!! ing!" as - nere miautacu. But nothing assumed in O'Rourkes air of apathy. He was actually quite indifferent and already preoccupied with hls new interest the pursuit of the woman whose unexpected appearance in Monte Carlo seemed likely to upset The sails of the all bia calculations. barque of hla fortunes had all hla life long been trimmed to the winds of Chance; he was accustomed to seeing them fall flat and flapping, empty, lust when a venture seemed most propitious. The loss of the money as nothing; the initial amount had been little enough In ail conscience, though the major part of all that ha possessed; but to him the woman waa everything the world and all. And now she was gone, had disapIn that peared with her companions! instant in which he had turned from her to the table, she had made her escape. He cursed roundly the weakness that had lost her to him, and passing rapidly through the lobby, left the fied. before the entrance But the other? O'Rourke continued Casino, pausing to look right and left. to probe his memory. Something in There waa no sign of what be the man's personality was curiously the party had vanished. And sought; . . Of a sudden he who should reminiscent say whither? bad The Frenchman remembered. Damnation!" he grumbled. been pointed out to him, years ago, in Monsieur," a voice Intruded at hla Faria, as a principal in a Boulevard aide. scandal which had terminated in a He turned with a start, annoyed. duel a real duel, in which he bad he demanded curtly, recognisWell? He was accustomed been victorious. De Trebes. ing an hls outcome of tc anticipate such I have the The Frenchman bowed. affair of honor, however; that was honor to address Monsieur la Colonel why be had been named to O'Rourke; O'Rourke ?" Des Trche. (that was the name; the Reflecting that the man might afViscomte des Trebes) was a duelist of ford him the Information he sought, international disrepute. 1 am he. Monsieur O'Rourke unbent. Monsieur," the agitated voice flut des Trebes." tered In hia ear, you have on yet Surprised, the latter lifted hls eyeagain for the sixth time! brows, showing even white teeth in a Iet it stand for the seventh, mon deprecatory smile. You know me, ami.1 monsieur?" "I Have the Honor to Addrees Why should Des Trebes be watchBy sight and reputation only, mon so so As him openly, pointedly? ing his mother sleur." suggested abandoning he watched he became aware that I dare I am honored. for excellent English tongue those two, the Frenchman and the No more than meaelf. If it comes to say you are wondering Englishman, were not alone; detached that." I am that." though their attitude waa, fhey wert I feared so. But it was essential The vlcomte laughed "Then I may evidently of s' party of ladles and gen presume to ask the favor of a word that we should speak in privacy." tlcmen whose gay, chattering group with you?" Yes?" formed their background. "But before I proceed, may I put you Are ye not having It, monsieur?" Monsieur, the seventh turn!" a question or two bordering, perhaps, True . . . But in private?" Yes, yea" One moment Ye can do ma upon Impertinence, yet not so conRein lie va plus," croaked the favor, If ye will. Afterwards" ceived?" "I am charmed. croupier. beggar!" yhaf a As One of the ladles turned to speak to "Tls not much Ill be asking 4-- : CfRourke commenced mentally. the llonoruble Mr. Glynn. ' Smiling merely a question or two. Now that for that," said he aloud, '"tls imposhe nodded, and offered her an arm gentleman ye were talking with awhile sible for me to ealculaie the ImpertiShe lingered, addressing Des Trebes hack: Isn't be the Honorable Ber'ie nence until 'tls put to me. Eh?" The latter bowed, lifted his shoulders Glynn?" Believe me. sir, I am anxious only and laughed lightly, plainly exeuslng to avoid Indiscretion, it is the ques"The same, monsieur." himself. A general movement took the lady who spoke to tion of your identity alone. I desire And it to in the dlsln began party; him place only to be assured that you are the 1 Madame Smyth-Herriotbelieve; Colonel O'Rourke I take j'ou to be." tegr.ite. men and women pairing off, And who else would I all moving at leisure toward the lobby, I know her only slightly." My faith! remained. alone O'Rourke not now?" Trebes of are their party?" Des "Then ye be, Therein the bare possibility that could see that the personnel of the Tarty?" Dea Trebes appeared per He plexed. What party? two of the same name might exist." gathering was largely British. - Tie so bare that 'tie fairly Indeof Pllnllmmon'a, Lady recognized Lady Flinlimnion, whose Why, t jin-licent." chuckled the Irishman. But fire (he had heard casually) bad ar course.' 1 have not the honor of that rived In the harbor that morinlng. Evi lady's away "I am not mistaken In assuming ilently this whs her party. Another acquaintance, monsieur." womun's figure caught hls attention Oh, ye have not? 3ut Mr. Glynn?" that 1 address the Colonel Terence Is here with me, monsieur a fly- O'Rourke who waa at one time a party her back was turned, but she had an mad Empire du air. a graceful set of the shoulders, an ing trip. We ran down from Fa. la but to le petit r t. i j o. half-millio- n e saw At 1.1 the ' Props? Mood. "Mr. Wrlttcm cannot work today," telephoned the wife of the dramatic author, becauae he hae the grip, and the medicine he hae taken has affected hie brain ao that bo cannot utter three words that Bhow any aenao or connection. All right, answered the Irapree-sarlTell him to write me a libretto for another comic opera, and sketch the scenario for a dramatio And aay, novel before he recovers. give him another dose of that medicine if he becomes rational before the work is finished." d, long-winde- ahead. Lonesome All Around. The ark had been about ten days on its journey, and the occupants were by this time well acquainted. It's a dreary time," said one of the two fleaa. "Here we are compelled to satisfy ourselves with but two dogs to live upon." I'm getting lonesome," said one There are not dog to the other. enough fleas to lend zest to life, and the microbes are all camped on the two cats. The Difficult Part. "Yea. eays the cousin from the east, who is being shown over the Ip rlgated ranch, but there Is one thing that puzzles me. How do you get the water away up here?" We bring It down from the mountain In those flumes, explains the western cousin. "I eeo all that plainly enough, but how In the dickens do you pump it up to the top of the mountain?" Generous to a Fault. "Indeed, Mr. Greenleigh la a most generous man, asserted the village gossip. Monsieur Le Colonel O'Rourke. when It will he convenient for you to have me call at the Orient?" I'll await ye In half an hour? then, monsieur. Pardon, then, my haste. 1 am late. 1 must be off." The man's hand touched O'Rourke's In the most brief of clasps, singularly firm and cold. The Irishman pondered the sensation for some moments after Dea Trebes' hurrying figure had vau ishi'd In shadows. "I don't like It." he averred; tls a bad sign a hand that's naturally rold. 1 never yet touched one like it that belonged to a man ye could trust. I misdoubt ,he'a sound at tbe core. Dea Trebes. . . . But then, what's tbe odds? Can I not take care of oneself? And since 'tis the Government of France I'm treating with, and himself only the medium that .uts altogether a different complexion on the matter." loiHe spent the ensuing half-hou- r tering in the more populous portion of the grounds, smoking as he strolled, hls eyes keen to scrutinize each j otnBn who came hls way. But he dis I covered none resembling her whom he the Casino had seen j ,TO BS co.vriM.FU , Is he. truly?" we asked. Yes. Why, he often gives away clothing before It la completely worn say out" The Octopus Once More. "What?" ejaculated the man. Four hundred dollars for that dress?" "Yes. answered the wife, soothingly. It le the train that makes It so expensive." groaned Ah-h-h!- " the husband, that cursed railroad trust again!" Judging From Appearnces. The Girl in Tights What do you think of this costume? It le for the new feature, "The Rainy Day Chorus." The Girl in Skirts Does the chorus represent the people who missed the ark? The Herolo Horatlus. Horatlus waa holding the bridge. "The fight le won right now," he muttered, after the first five minutes, "but I promised that poet to string the thing out to at least fifteen aUn- . 1 " s 7. A |
