813.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9919, 6 August 1910, Page 2

813.

(By MAURICE LEBLANO.)

translated fnom the French by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos.

[All Rights Reserved.]

CEAPTER VI. 81. LENOE.MAND SUCCUMBS

M. Lonormand was back in his room at the Prefecture of Police at six o'clock in the evening. He at once sent for Dieusy. " Is your man there?" "Yes, chief." f "How far hare you got with himP" " Not very. He won't speak a word. I told him that, by a new regulation, foreigners were obliged to make a declaration at the Prefecture as to the object and probable duration of their stay in Paris; and I brought him here, to your secretary's office. I will question him." But, at that moment, an office messenger appeared. ■ " There's a lady asking to see you at once, chief." " Have you her card?" 'Here, chief."; , '' Mrs Kesselbacli! Show her in."

He walked across the room to receive the young widow at the door, and begged her to take a seat. She still wore the same' disconsolate look, the same appearance of illness and that air of extreme lassitude which revealed the distress of her life.

She held out a copy of the "Grand Journal " and pointed to tRe line in tho_ agony column which referred to Steinweg: - " Old Steinweg was a friend of my husband's," she said, " and I have no doubt that he knows a gctd. many tilings."

" Dieusy," said M. Lohormand, " bring the person who is waiting . Your visit, madam, will not have been useless. I will only ask you, when this person enters, not to say a word." The door opened. A man appeared, an old man with white whiskers meeting under his chin and a face furrowed with deep wrinkles, poorly clad and wearing the hunted look of those wretches who roam through the world in search of their t*uly pittance. He stood on the threshold, blinking his eyelids, stared at M. Lenormand, seemed confused by the silence that greeted him on his entrance, and turned his hat in his hands with embarrassment.

But, suddenly, he appeared stupefied, his eyes opened wide and he stammered: ■ " Mrs . . . Mrs Kesselbach!" He had seen the young widow. And, recovering his serenity, smiling, losing his shyness, he went up to her and, in a strong German accent: . "Oh, I am glad! ... At last!. . I thought I should never ... I was so surprised to receive no news down there ... no'telegrams . . . And how is our dear Rudolf Kesselbach?"

The lady staggered back, as though she had been struck in the face, and at once fell into a chair and began to sob.

"What's the matter? . . . Why, what's the matter?" asked Steinweg. M. Lenormand interposed: " I see, sir, that you know nothing about certain events that have taken place recently. Have yon bean long travelling?" "Yes, three months ... I had been up to the Hand. Then T went back to Cape Town and wrote to Rudolf from there. But, on 1113' way home by the East Coast route, I accepted some worlc al Fort Said. Rudoif has had my letter, I suppose?" "Hq is away. J will explain the reason of his absence. But, first, there is a point on which we should be glad of some information. It has to do with a person whom you knew and to whom you used to refer in your intercourse with Mr Kesselbach, by the na.>ne of Pierre Leduc." "Pierre Leduc! What! Who told you?" The old man was utterly taken aback.

He spluttered out Rgain : "Who told you? Who disclosed to you . . .?"

"Mr Kesselbach." "Never! It was a "secret which 1 confided to him, and Rudolf keeps his secrets . . . especially this one ..." " Nevertheless, it is absolutely necessary that you should reply to our questions. We are at this moment engaged on an inquiry about Pierre Leduc which must come to a head without delay ; and you alone can enlighten us, as Mr Kesselbach is 110 longer here." "Well, then," cried Steinweg, apparently making up his mind, "what do you want?"

"Do you know Pierre Leduc?"

" T have never seen him, but I have long been the posessor of a secret which concerns him. Through a number of incidents which I need not relate and thanks to a series of chances, T ended by acquiring the certainty that the man in whose discovery I .was interested was leading a dissolute life in Paris, and that he was calling himself Pierre Leduo, which is not his real name." " But does he know his real name himself ? , " I presume so." "And youf" " Yes, I know it." " Well, tell it to us." He hesitated; tlien., veiuwaaatly:

" J can't/' he said., " No, I can't.*' "But why not?" ■ " I have no right to. The whole secret lies there. When I revealed the secret to Rudolf he attached so much importance to it that he gave me a large sum of money to purchase my silence, and he promised me a fortune, a real fortune; on the day when he should succeed first, in finding, Pierre Leduo, and next in turning the secret to account." He smiled bitterly. "Th© large sum of money is already lost. I came to see how my fortune was gettiup; on." Mr Kesselbach is dead," said the chief detective.

Steinweg gave a bound. "De-ad! Is it possible? No, it's a trap. Mm Kesselbach, is it true?" She bowed her head.

He seemed crashed by this unexpected revelation; and, at the same time it mud have been infinitely painful to him, for lie began to cry: " My poor (Rudolf, I knew him when he was quite small . . • He used to come and play at my house at Augsburg ... I was very fond of him." And! calling Mrs Kesselbach to witness, " And he of me, wag ho not, Mrs Kesselbach P He must have told you . . . His old Daddy Steinweg he used to call me." . , M. Lenormand went up to him and, in his dearest voice: * _ " Listen to me," he said. Mr Kesselbach died murdered . • • Come, be calm . . . exclamations are of no use ... He died murdered, I say, and all the circumstances of the crime provo that the culprit knew about that scheme. Was there, anything m the nature of the scheme that would enable you to guess . . .P" Steinweg stood dumbfounded. Me stammered: T i i a " It was my fault. .... If I had not suggested the thing to hiui . . . Mrs Kesselbach went up to him, entreating him: "Do you think . . . have you any idea? . . . Oh, Steinweg, I implore you ..." _ , , " I have no idea ... I have not reflected," he muttered. " I must have time to reflect ... , , "Oast about in Mr Kesselbach s surroundings," said M. Lenormand.. " Did nobody take part 111 your interview at that time? . Was there 110body in whom he himself could have confided?" " No." "Think well." Both the others, ; Dolores and M. Lenormand, leant towards him, anxiously awaiting his answer. " No,", he said, " I dont see . _. "Think well," repeated the chiefdotective. " The murderer's Christian name and surname begin with an L nnd an M." " An L," he echoed. I don t see an L . • • an M . ." • " Yes, the initials are in gold on the corner of a cigarette-case belonging to the murderer." . ," A cigarette-case?"' asked Sternweg, making an effort of memory. " A gun-metal case, and one of the sides is divided into two spaces, the smaller for cigarette-papers, the other for tobacco." "Two spaces, two spaces," repeated Steinweg, whose thoughts seemed stimulated by that detail. " Couldn t .you Bhow it to me?' "Here it is, or rather this is an exact reproduction," said M. Lenormand. giving him a cigarette-case. N "Eh? What!" said Steinweg, taking the case in his"hands. He looked at it with stupid eyes, examined it,, turned it over in every direction, and, suddenly, gave a cry, the cry ol a man struck with a horrible idea. And he stood like that, livid, with trembling hands and wild, staring Speak, come, speak t" said M. Lenormand. ''Speak, I beseech you," implored Mrs Kesselbach, clinging to him in despair. t "Oh," he said, ap though blinded with light, "now all is explained!" i. /' Speak, speak. He them both'away, walked across to the windows ivith a .tottering: step, then 'returned) . and, rushing up to the chief-detective:

" Sir, sir. . . Rudolf's murderer . V I'll tell you. . . Well .. .' He stopped short. "Well?" said the two others.

There was a moment's pause. Was the nmne of the odious criminal about ti) echo through the great silence of the o/jice, between those walls which had feeard so many accusations, so many confessions? M. Lenormand felt as though lie were oil tli© brink of the unfathomable abyss, and as if a voice were mounting, mounting up to him. A few seconds more, and he would know."

■ "No," muttered Steinweg, "no, I can't.

" What's that you say?" cried the chief-detective, furiously.

" I say that T can't."

" But you have no right to be silent. The lav/ requires you to speak." "To-morrow. . . T will speak tomorrow. I must have time to reflect. . . To-morrow, T will tell you all that I know about Pierre Ledun ; all that I think about the cigarettecase. To-morrow, I promise you."

They felt that lie possessed that sort of obstinacy against which the most energetic efforts are of no avail. M. Lenormand yielded. '* Very well. 1 give you until tomorrow, but I warn you that, if you do not speak to-morrow, I' shall be obliged to go to the examining-magia-trate."

Ho rang and, taking Inspector Dieusy aside, said:

"Go with him to his hotel . . . and stay there . . I'll send you two men. . . And mind you keep your eyes about you. Somebody may try to net hold of him." The inspector want off with Steinweg, and M. Lenormand, returning to Mrs Kesselbach, who had been violently affected by tliis scene, made his excuses :

"Pray accept all my regrets, niadame. I can understand how upset you must feel . ..

He questioned her as ip the period at which Mr Kesselbach reriewed his relations with old Steinweg, and as to the length of time for which those relations "lasted. But she was so much worn out he did not insist. " Am I to come back to-morrow?" she asked.

"No; it's not necessary. I will let you know all that Steinweg says. May I see you down to your carriage? These three "flights are rather steep. . . ." Re opened the door ' and stood back to let her pass. At that moment shouts were heard in the passage, and people came running up, inspectors on - duty, office messengers, clerks.

"Chief! Chief!" "'What's the matter?" " Dieiisv! . • ."

But he's just left here. . . ." " He's been found on the, sthiicaso!" "Not dead? . . ."

" No; stunned, fainting. . . ." " But the man . . . the man who was with him . . . Old Steinweg?" " Ho's disappeared . . ." "Damn it!''

He rushed along the passage and down the stairs, where lie found Dieusy lying on the first-floor landing, surrounded by people who were attending to him.

He saw Gourel coming up again. " All, Gourel, have you been downstairs? Did you come across anybody P" "No. chief. . . ."

But Dieusy was recovering consciousness, and, almost before he had opened his eves, mumbled: " Here, oil the landing, the little door . . ."

" Oh, hang it, the door of Court 7 !"*

* Since M. Lenormand left the detective servico, two other criminals have escaped by the same door, after shaking off ths office rr_ in charge of them; the police kept both caser 1 da.rk. "Nevertheless, it would be very easy, if this communication is absolutely required, to removo the useless bolt on the other side of the door, which fables tlie fugitive to cut off all pursuit and Oe walk away quietly through the pasage leading;'to Civil Court 7 and the corridor of the Chief President's Couifc ;

shouted the ohiel-detective. "Didn'tl say that it was to _ be kept looked P . . . It was certain that;, sooner or later . . ." He seized the door-

handle. " Oh, of course! Hie door i» bolted on the other side now!" The door was partly glazed. He smashed a pane with the butt-end of his revolver/ drew the bolt and said to Gourel:

"Run through this way to the exit on the Place Dauphins! . . He went back to Dieusy. . " Gome, Dieusy, tell me about it. How did you come to let yourself be put into this state ?'' " A blow ill the pit of the stomach, chief " n

"A blow? From that old chap? Why, he' can hardly stand on his legs!" " Not the old man, chief, but another, who was walking up and down the passage while Steinweg wa? Wtt.h you and who followed us as though he were going out, too. . . . When we got as far as this he asked me for a light. I looked for my matches. . . .

Then he caught me a punch in the stomach. ... I fell down and, as I fell, I thought I saw him open that door and drag the old man with him." " Would you know him again?" "Oh, yes, chief ... a powerful fellow, very dark-skinned ... a southerner of sorts, that's certain."

" Ribeira," snarled M. Lenormand. " Always Ribeira! . . . Ribeira, alias Parbury. . . . Oh, the impudence of the scoundrel! He was afraid of what old Steinweg might say . . . and came to fetch him away/under my very nose!" And, stamping his foot with, anger, "But. dash it, how did he know that Steinweg was here, the blackguard? It's only four hours since I was chasing him in the Saint-Cucufa woods . . . and now he's here! . . .

How did lie know? One would think he lived inside my skin!"

He fell into one of those fits of dreaming in which he seemed to hear nothing and see nothing. Mrs-Kessel-bach, who passed at that moment, bowed without his replying. But a sound of footsteps in the corridor roused him from his torpor. "At last, is that you, Gourel?"

"I've found out how it was, chief," said Gourel, panting „ for breath. "There were two of them. They went this way and out by the Place Dauphiite. There was a motor-car waiting for them. There were two people inside; one was a man dressed in black, with a soft hat pulled over his eyes."

"That's he/' muttered M. Lenormand, "that's the murderer, the accomplice of Ribeira, or Parbury. And who was the other P"

" A woman, a woman without a hat. a servant-girl, it might be. . . . And good-looking, I'm told, with red hair." "Eh, what! You say she had red hair?" " Yes." \

M. Lenormand turned round with a bound, ran down the stairs four steps at a time, hurried across the courtyards and came out on the Quai des Orfevres.

"Stop!" he shouted. A victoria and pair was driving off. It was Mrs Kesselbach's carriage. The coachman heard and pulled up his horses. M. Lenormand sprang on the step:

a I bog a thousand oardons, madame, but I cannot do without your assistance. I will ask you to let me go with you. . . . But we must act swiftly. . . . Gourel, my motor I" " I've sent it away, chief." "Well, then, another, no matter which "

The men all rail in different directions. But ten minutes elapsed before one of them returned with a motorcab. M. Lenormand was boiling with impatience. Mrs Kosselbach, standing on the pavement, swayed from side to side, with her smelling-salts in her hand. 1

At last they were seated- " Gourel, get up beside the driver and go straight to Garches." "To where I live?" asked Dolores, astounded. f

Ho did not reply. He leant out of •jtlie window, waved his pass, explained jftho he was to the policeman regelating the traffic in the streets. Ak, last, when they reached the Cours-la-Reine, he sat down agaSn and said: " I beseech you, madame, to give me plain answers to my questions. Did you see Mdlle Genevieve Ernement just now, at about four o'clock?"

"Genevieve? ... Yes ... T was dressing to g 0 out." "Did she tell you of the advertisement about; Steimveg in the ' Grand Journal?'" " She did." " And it was that which made you come to see me?" "Yes." "Were you alone during Mile Ernement's visit?"

" Upon my word ... I can't say . . . Why?" ' " Recollect. Wa-s one of your servants present?"

"Probably ... as I was dressing " What are their names?" "}• isanne and Gertrude." " One of them has red hair, has she notP" " Yes, Gertrude." '

Have you known her long?" " Her sister lias always been with me . . . and so has Gertrude for years . . . She is devotion and honesty personified. , ."

" In short, you will answer for herP" "Oh, absolutely!" "Very well . . . very •well."

It was half-past seven and the daylight was beginning to wane when the taxi-cab reached the House o£ Retreat. Without troubling about his companion the chief-detective rushed into the porter's lodge. "Mrs Kefisalbach'a maid has just come in, ha 3 she noiP" " Whom do you mean, the maid?" '' Why, Gertrude, one of the' two sisters." " But Gertrude can't- have been out, sir. We haven't seen her go out." I: Still someone has just comejn.'' " No, sir. wo haven't opened, the door to anybody since—let me see—six o'clock this evening." "Is there no other way out than this gate?"

" No. The walls surround the estate oil every side and they are very high " Mrs Kesselbach, we will go to your house, please.' - f

Tliey all three went. Mrs- Kesselbach, "who had no key. rang. The door was answered by the other sister.

" Is Gertrude in.?" asked Mrs Kesselbach .

"Yes. ma'am, in her room." "Send her down, please," said the chief-detective.

After a moment, Gertrude came downstairs, looking very attractive and engaging in her whits embroidered apron. She had, in point of fact, a rather pretty face, crowned with red hair.

M. Lenormand looked at her f.or a long time without speaking, .as though ho were trying to read what lay bohind those innocent eyes. He asked her no questions. After a minute, he simply said : "That will do, thank you. Come, Gourel,"

He went on b with the sergeant and at once, as they followed the darkling paths of the garden, said: " That's the one!" "Do you think so, chief? She looked so placid !" "Much too placid. Another would have been astonished, would have wanted to know why I sent for her. Not this one 1 Nothing but the concentrated efiort of a face that is determined to smile at all costs. Only, I saw a drop of perspiration trickle from her temple along her ear." " So that ... .?"

" 80 that everything becomes plain. Gertrude is" in league with the two ruffians who are conspiring round the Kesselbach case, in order either to discover and carry out the famous scheme, or to capture the widow's millions. No doubt, the other sister is in the plot as well. At four o'clock, Gertrude, learning that 1 know of the advertisement in the " Grand Journal," takes advantage of, her mistress's' absence, hastens to Paris, finds Ribeira and the man in the soft hat, and them off to the Palais, where Ribeira confiscates Master Steinweg for his own benefit." He reflected and concluded:, " All this proves, first, the importance which they attach to Steinweg, and .their fear of what he may reveal; secondly,' that a regular plot is being hatched around Mrs Kesselbach; thirdly and lastly, that I have no time to lose, for the plot is ripe." "Very well," said Gourel, "but one thing remains unexplained. " How was Gertrude able to leave the garden in which we are now. and to enter it again, unknown to the porter and his wife?"

"Through a secret passage which the rogues must have contrived to make quite recently."

** "And which would end, no doubt," said Gourel, "in Mrs Kesselbach's house."

"Yes, perhaps," said M." Lenormand. " perhaps. But I have another idea.

Tljey followed the circuit of the wall. It was a bright night, and, though their two forms were hardly distinguishable, they themselves could see enough to examine the stones' of the walls and to convinoe themselves that no breach, however skilful, had been effected.

"A ladder, very likely?" suggested Goui'el.

" No, because Gertrude is able to get out in broad daylight. A communication of the kind I mean can evidently not end out of doors. The entrance must be concealed by some building already in existence.' " There are only the four gardenhouses," objected Gourel, " and they are all inhabited."

"I beg your pardon, the third, the Pavilion Hortense, is not inhabited." " Who told vou so?"

" Tlie porter. Mrs Kesselbach hired this house, whioh is near her own, for fear of the noise. Who knows but that, in so domg, she acted under Gertrude's influence?" He walked round the house in question. . The shutters were closed. He lifted the latch of the door on the off-chance. Hie door opened. "Ah, Gourel, I think we've struck it! Let's go in. Light your lantern. . . Oh, the hall . . . the

drawing-room . . . the dining-room . ~ . that's not much good. There must be a basement, as the kitchen is not on this floor."

" This way, chief. The • kitchen stairs are hore." ** They -went dovra into a rathe! large kitchen, crammed full ol iron and wickerwork garden chairs, 1 ' Beside it was a washhoiise, which] also served as a cellar, and / which presented the same untidy sight of objects piled on© on thfl' top of the other.

'' What is that shiny thine dovttf there, chief?" Gourell stooped and picked up a bras* pin, with a head made of an imitation pearl ; " The j>earl is quite bright still." said M. Joenormand. "which it would not be if it_ hjvd been lying hi this cellar long. Gonrude passed this, way, Gourel." \ Gourel began to demolish a great ! stack of empty, wine casks, writing desks and old rickety tables. "You are wasting your time, Gourel," said M. Lenomand. "If that fa the way out, how would she have time first to move all those things, and then to replace them behind harF Look, here is ft shutter out of use, which has no valid reason for being fastened to the wall by that nail. Draw it back." ( Gourel did so. Behind the shutter r. the wall was hollowed out; By th«i light of the lantern they saw an-nn-! 1 derground passage running down-' wards. . \ / was right," said. M. Leoonnaad. ! Ihe communication is of recent da to. You see, it's a piece of work hurriedly done and not intended to last for any, \ tength of time. . . . No masonry." . Two planks placed cross-wise at intoiV vals, with a joist to serve as a roof : and that is all. It will hold up as heist it may, well enough, in any case,! for , tae object in view; that is to say . " That is to say what,,chief?". </..■: "Well, first, to allofl\ of the going backwards and forwards between Gertrude and her accomplices . .and then, one day, on© day soon, <rf the kidnapping, or rather the total, miraculous, incomprehensible disappearance of Mrs Kef«elbach." -

They proceeded cautiously, so ay not to knock against certain beams which did not look over-safe. It at once became evidence that tho tunnel was much longer than the fifty yards •at most that separated the house' fr6ns the boundary of the garden. It ftinst, therefore, end at a fair distance from the walls and beyond th© rciad thaf > skirted the property. . • "We are not going in the directio? of Villeneuve anid the lake, are we?* asked Gourel. . . ;

"Not at "all; the other way about," declared M. Lenormand. The tunnel descended with a gentla slope. There was a step, then another, and they veered .towards the right.' They at once knocked up against a door which was fitted into a, rubbla frame, carefully cemented. , M. Lenormand pushed it and it opened. " One second, Gourel," he said, .stopping. "Let us think . . . it might perhaps be wiser to turn back." t J ; " "Why?" / I "We must reflect that Ribeira will have foreseen the danger and presume that he has taken his precautions, in case the underground passage should bo discovered. Now* he we are on his_ track. He knows tbat, "we are searching the garden. He n<? doubt saw us enter the house. How do I know, that h® is not at this moment laying a trap for us?" "There are two of us, chief. . "And suppose there are twenty of them?" -

He looked ,m front of him. The tunnel sloped Upwards again, closed by another door, which was at five or sia yards' distance, < , v "Let us go ao far," he said, "then we shall see." , v '

He passed through, followed bj Gourel, whom he told to leave the nrsl door open, and walked to the othei door, resolving within himself to go 11c farther. But this second door was shut; and, though the look eeemed to work, he could not succeed, in opening it. I -

" The door is kilted," he said.' " Lei us make no noise and go . back. Th« more so as, outside, by remembering the position of the. tunnel, wo can ft* tho line, along to look for the .other outlet." • They therefore retraced): their ertept to the first door, when Gourel,. who was "walking ahead, gave an exclamation of surprise: i "Why, it's closed! . . . - i- " How is that? When I told you t< leave it openl" ... i " I did leave it open, chief, but thf door must have fallen back of its owl weight." Impossible! We should have hear' the sound." "Then? ..." '' Then . . . then . . .1 don't know\ . . He went up to the door. "Let's Bee . . . there's a key . . .' does it turn?*. . . Yes, it turns. . . . But there seems to be a bolt on the other Bide."

" Who can hare fastened it?" " They, of course 1 Behind our backa ~ . . Perhaps they hare another tunne that runs above this one, or alongsidi of it . . . or els© they Tver© waitin} in that empty house. ... In any case we'ie caught in a trap. . . He grew angry with the lock, thrust his knife into the chink of the door,' tried ©vary means, and then, in a mo ment or weariness, said: " There's nothing to be done!'' "What, chief, nothing to be done> In that case, we're diddled !" .

"I dare Gay!" said M. Lenormand. i Th lay roturned to the other door and (a;ne back again to tho first. Both were missive, made of hard w<k>d, strengthened with cross-beams . . . in short, iniostructible. '""We should want a hatchet," said (•ho chief of the detective service, "or at tlio very least a serious instrument . a knife even with which wo might try to' cut iiwrvy tho place where the bolt is.most likely to be . . . and we have nothing He; was seized with a sadden fit of rag© and flung himself upon the obstacle, .as though lie hoped to do away • vitli it. Then, powerless, beaten, he *&>» to .Gourel: " Listen. We'll look into this m an , hour or two. ... I am tired out. . . . I am going to sloep. ... Keep watch 30 lone and, if they com© tnid ai/tflclv . . T" "Ah, if they come, we shall be saved, chief!'/ cried Gourel, who would have been relieved by a fight, whatever the'odds. i M. Lenormand lay down on the ground. In a minute he was asleep. When he woke up, he remained for foiiio seconds undecided, not understanding; and lie also asked himself vi'hat sort of pain it was that was tormeriting him. ■ "Gourel!" he called. "Come, Gourel 1" j ■ Obtaining no reply, lie pressed tne spring of his lantern and saw Gourel lying beside him, sound asleep. _ "What on earth can pain be?" he thought. " Regular twitchings . . * Oh, why, of course, I'm hungry, that's E.II. . . ;'l"ia starving I What can the ime be P" His watch marked twenty minutes past seven, but he remembered that he fcad, not wound it up. Goufel's watch ; Was not going either. > Gourelnad awoke under the action of the same inward pangs, which made , them think that the breakfast hour most be long past and. that they had. already slept for a part of the day. " My' logs are quite numbed," said Gourel, " and my feet feel as if they were on ice. Wliat a funny sensation.'' lie bent down to rub them and went cm: Why: it's hot on ice that my feet . were, hut in water . . . Look, chief- . , . neaa- the first door, there's a ■ regular pool of it . . ." through," M- Lenormand replied. " We'll go back to the, second door; yoo can dry yourself . . ." ■v " But what are you doing, chief P" I Do you think lam going to allow ( myself to be buried alive—in this vault P 5 Kot if I know it. I haven't reached the {.go. . . , As the two doors axe closed, st us try to pass through the walls." , ' One by one he loosened th© stones that stood out at the height of his hand in the hope of contriving; another galjtory that would slope upwards to the level of tbe soil. But the work was long and p&inful, for in this part of the iunnel, as he perceived, the stones wer© cemented, "Chief! Chief 1" stammered Gourel, jn » stifled'voice . . » |, " WellPr , ' " You are standing with your feet in watew"

• "Nonsenw f. ~ Why, uo I am. .. . IWWI, it c«rt be. helped. . « . I'll dry: tbem in the mm. ..." " But don't you seeP*' 1 ""What?* "Why, it's rising, ohief, it's rising? , *'"Wh*tVi rising?" [ ■" The water 1.. ' M. Lenornuma felt a shudder pass prut his skin. H© suddenly understood. It was not a casual trickling through, ashe had thought, but a carefully prepared flood, mechanically, irresistibly produced by some infernal system. I " Oh, the Bconndreir" he snarled. If "ev«r I lay hands on him. . . .1" b "Ye* ye/L Chief, but wo must first get. out of this. . . . And/ as far as I esn see . . Gourel seemed completely prostrated, Incapable of having an idea, of projposing a plan. M. Lenormand knelt down on the ground and measured the rateat whichthe water was rising. A quarter, or thereabout*, of the first floor was cov)*red ; • and the water was half-way to Jrards the second door. • "The progress is slow, but uninterrapted," he said. "In a few hours it will bo over our heads." " But this is terrible, chief, it's horrible!" moaned Gourel. " Oh, look here man, don't come boring me with your lamentations ... do you understand? Gry, if it amuses you, but don't let me hear you 1" " If s the hunger that weakens me, jhiefj my brain ; s going round." • ,/ " Bite your fist." ' As Gourel said, the position was ter--s'ible;. and if M. Lenormand had had an energy he would have abandoned the vain struggle. What was to be done? It was no use hoping that Bibeira would have the cnanty. to let them out. It was .no use either hoping (lor the three' inspectors, Hartog and khe brothers Doudeville to '/because they did not know of the existence of the tunnel. So no hope remained . . . no hope but that of an impossible miracle. . . . Come, come," said M. Lenormand, " this is too silly; we're not going to kick the bucket here! Hang it all, there must be something! . . . Show me a light, Gourel." i' Flattening himself against the second door, he examined it from top to bottom, in every oorner. There was probably a bolt on that side, as on the other. He found an enormous bolt. Ho unfastened the screws with a blade of 'his knife, and the bolt came off in his . band. - ' l " And'what next?" asked Gourel. ' "What next?" he echoed. "Well, this bolt is made of iron, pretty long »nd almost pointed. Certainly it's not as good as a pick-axe, but it's better than nothing. . . ." i Without finishing his sentence he drove the implement into the side wall of the tunnel, a little in front of the pillar of masonry that supported the ainges of the door. As lie'expected, once he; had passed the first layer of sement and stones he found soft earth, tTo work 1" he cried. !' "Certainly, chief, but would you explain . .P." " It's quite simple. I want to dig round this pillar a passage, three or , four yards long, which will join the (tunnel on the other side of the door •'and allow us to escape. - ' ' \ . "But it will take us hours; and meanwhile the water is rising." , "Show me a light, Gourel." '' "In twenty minutes, or half an hour %t most, it will have reached our feet." "Show me a light, Gourel." i"'M. Lenormand's idea was correct, ji.nd, with some little exertion, by pulling the earth which he loosened with liia implement towards him and making jjifc fall into the tunnel,.ho was not long < in digging a hole large enough to slip into., i, ."It's my turn, chiefl" said Gourel. 1 " Aha you're returning to life, I »e®,! Well, fire away! You have imly to follow .the shape of the pillar." At that moment the water rose to tfheir ankles. Would they have time to complete the work begun? J ' It became more difficult as they went "• on, for the earth which they disturb'ed obstructed them more; and, lying fiat on their stomachs in the passage, they were obliged at every instant to remove the rubbish in their way. After two hours, the work was perfcaps three-quarters through, but the rater now covered their legs. Another jtour and it would reach the opening 2 the hole which they were digging. Jnd that would mean the end! ' Gourel, exhausted by the want of V>cd ana by his _ stoutness of build, Vhich prevented him from moving with £ny freedom in that ever narrower baasage, had had to give up. He no longer stirred, trembling with anguish at feeling that icy water which was gradually swallowing him up. As for M. Lenormand, he worked on irith indefatigable ardour. It was a terrible job, this ants' work performed In the stifling darkness. His hands were bleeding. He was fainting with hunger. The insufficiency of the air hampered his breathingj and, from time ' j timo, Gourel's sighs reminded him

of tho awful danger that threatened him at the bottom of his hole. But nothing could discourage him, for uow be again found opposite him those cemented stones which formed the side-wall of the gallery. It was tho most difficult part, but the end was at hand.

"It's rising," o,?ied G'ourel, in a choking voice; "it's rising I" M. Lenormand redoubled his efforts. Suddenly, the stem of the bolt which he was using leapt out into space. The passage was dug. He had now only to widen it, which becamo much easier now that ho could shoot the material in front of him. Gourel, mad with terror, was howling like a dying beast. M. Lenormand paid no attention to liim. Safety was at hand. Nevertheless, he had, a few seconds of anxiety when lie pe'reeived, by the sound of the material falling, that this portion of the tunnel was also under water, which was natural, as the door did not form a sufficiently tight-fitting barrier. But what did it matter!, Tho outlet was free. One last effort; he passed through. ' "Come, Gourel," ho cried, returning to fetch his companion.

Ho dragged him, half dead, by tho wrists:

"Come along, booby, pull yourself together. We are saved!" u Do you really think so, chief ? . . . The water's up to our chests. . i " Never mind, as long as it's not over our mouths. , . . Where's your lantern?"

" It's not working." "No matter." He gave an exclama- •, tion of delight. " One step . . . two ! steps ... a staircase ... at lastl" Ihey were emerging from the water •< —that accursed Avater which , had almost swallowed them up j and it was a a delicious sensation, & release that sent | up their spirits. ... ' " Stop 1" said M. Lenormand. ' j His head had knocked against, some- J thing. With arms outstretched be j pushed against the obstacle, which ! yielded at once. It was the flap of a j trap-door, and, when thia trap-door was m opened, he found himself in a cellar J into which the light of a fine night fil- j tered through an air-hole. He threw baok the flap and climbed! the last treads. Then a veil fell over his eyes. Arms ii seized upon him. He felt himself as it., were.wrapped in a sheet, in a sort of'ij sack, and then fastened with cords. " Now for the other one," said a , voice. The same operation must have been „ performed on Gourel, and the same i voice said:' "If they call out, kill them at once. Have you your dagger " "Yes." " Come along. You two take this one-i ... yon two that one. . . . No light and no Boise either. ... It would be a : serious matter; they've been searching , the garden next door since this morn- • ing . , . there are ten or fifteen ofthem knocking about. . . . Go baok to the house, Gertrude, and, if the least thing happens telephone to m© in Paris." M. Lenormand felt that he was being lifted up and carried, and. a moment after, that he was in the open air. " Bring the cart nearer," said a voice. M. Lenormand heard the sound of a horse and cart. He was laid on the boards. Gourel was hoisted up beside liim. The hors© started at a tl*ot. The drive lasted about half an hour. "Haiti" commanded the voice. "Lift them out. Here, driver, turn the cart so that the tail touches the parapet of the bridge ... good . . ,'jio boats on the river r Sure. Then let's waste no time. . . , Oh, have you fas-' teoied the stones to themP"

j "Right away then I Commend your boul to God, M. Lenormand. And pray for me, Parbury-Ilibeira, better known by the name of Baron. Altenhelm. Are you readyP All right? Well, here's wishing you a pleasant journey, M. Xenonnand."

M. Lenormand was placed on the parapet. Someone gave him a push. He, felt himself falling into space, and he still heard the voice chuckling: " A pleasant journey f" Ten seconds later it was Sergeant Gourel'a tuml

CHAPTER VH. Alijs u itT*BlßiilltA'*ALxjtyii ]s LM,

The girls were flaying in th© garden,' under the supervision of Mdlle Charlotte, Genevieve's new assistant. Mdme Ernemont came out, distributed some cakes among them and then went back to the room which served' as a drawingroom and parlour in one, eat down before a writing-desk and began to arw range her papers and account books. Suddenly she felt the presence of a stranger in the room. She turned round in alarm: "You!" she cried. "Where have you come from? How did you get in?" "Hush!" said Prince Sernine. "Listen to me a!nd do not let us waste a minute. Genevieve?"

/'Calling on Mrs Kesselbach." " When. will she be hereP" " Not before an hour."

" Then I will let the brothers Doudeville come. I have an ! appointment with them. How is Genevieve?"

• " Very -well." " How often has she seen Pierre Leduo since I went away, ten days ago?"

"Three times; and she Is to meet him to-day at Mrs Kesßelbach's, to whom slie introduced, him, as you said she must. Only, I may as well tell you that I don't think much of this Pierre Leduo of yours. Genevieve would do better to find some good fellow in her own class of life. For instance, there's the schoohnaster." "You're mad! Genevieve marry a schoolmaster!"

"If you really want to know, she is rather interested in that young man. And, if you considered Genevieve's happiness first " " Shut up, Yictoire. You're boring me with your cackle. I have no time to waste on sentiment. I'm playing a game of chess; and I move my men without troubling about what they think. When I nave won the game, I will go into the question whether the knight, Pierre Leduc, and the queen, Genevieve, have a heart or not."

She interrupted liiin. " Did you hear? A whistle " " It's the two Doudevilles. Go and bring them in, and then leave us."

As soon. as the two brothers were in tho room, he questioned them with his usual precision:

"I know what the newspapers have said about the disappearance of Lenormand and Gourel. Do you know anv more?"

t! No. The deputy-chief, M. Weber, lias taken the case in hand. Wo have been searching the garden of the House of Ketreat for the past week, u rid nobody is able to explain how they can have disappeared. The whole department is in a flutter. No one has ever seen the like ... a chief of the detective-sorvice disappearing, without leaving a traco behind him!" " The two maids?"

" Gertrude has gone. She is being looked for." "Her sister Suzanne?" "M. Weber and M. Formerie have questioned her. There is nothing against her." "Is that all you have to tell me?" " Oh, no, there are other things; all the tilings which we did not tell the papers." They then described the incidents that had marked M. Lenormand's last two days; the night visit of the two ruffians to Pierre Leduc 1 s villa; next day, Ribeira's attempt to kidnap Genevieve. and the chase through the SaintCucufa woods; old Steinweg's arrival, his examination at the detective-office in Mrs Kesselbach's presence, his escape from the Palais. " And no one knows these details except yourselves?" " Dieusy knows about the Steinweg incident; he told us of it." " And they still trust you at the Prefecture of Police?"

"So much so that they employ us openly. M. Weber swears by us. " Come." said the prince; " all is not

lost. If M. Lenormand has committed an imprudence that has cosb him his life, as I aiu supposing, at any rate he did some good work first, and we have only to continue it. The enemy has the start of us, but we -nail catch him up." " It won't be an easy'job, governor." " Why not. It is only a matter of finding old Steinweg again, for the answer to tho riddle is in his hands." "Yes, but where has Ribeira got old Stein weg tucked away?" At his own place, of course." "Then we should have to know where Ribeira hangs out." " Well, of course. ' He dismissed them, and went to the House of lletreat. Motor-cars were standing outsido tho door, and two men were walking up and down, as though they were mounting guard. In the garden, near Mrs Kosselbach's house, he saw Genevieve sitting 011 a bench with Pierre Leduc and a thickset gentleman wearing a single eyeglass. The three were talking, and none of' them saw him. But several people came out of the house —M. Formerie, M. Weber, a magistrate's clerk and two inspectors. Genevieve went indoors, and the gentleman with the eye-glass went up and spoke to the examining magistrate and the deputy cheif-detective, and walked away with them slowly.

Sernine carno beside the bench where Pierre Leduc was sitting and whispered :

"Don't move, Pierre Leduc; It's I." "You .. . you .

It was the third time that the young man saw Sernine since the awful night at Versailles; and each time it upset him. "Tell me . . . who is the fellow with the eye-glass?" Pierre Leduc turned pale and jabbered. Sornine pinched his arm: "Answer me, confound it! Who is he?" "Baron Altenheiin."

" Where does he come from?" "He was a friend of Mr Kcssolbach. He arrived from Austria, six days ago. and placed himself at Mrs Kesselbach's disposal. The police authorities hadj meanwhile, gone out of the garden; Baron Altenheiin also.

The prince rose, and, turning towards fche Pavilion do l'lmperatrice, continued:

" Has the oaron asked you many questions?" • - "Yes, a great many. if a is inter-.

ested in my case,. He wants to help me find my family. He appealed to my childhood memories." "And what did you say?''. "Nothing, because .1 knew nothing. What memories have I ? You put mo in another's place, and I don't even know who that other is." ' No more do I!" chuckled the Prince. "And that's just what makes your case so quaint." " Oh, it's all very well for you to laugh . . . you're always laughing I . . . But I'm beginning to have enough of it. , , . I'm mixed up in a heap of nasty matters ... to say nothing of the danger which I run in pretending to bo somebody that I am not."

" What do you mean . • . that you aro not? Ycm'ro quite as imich a duke as I am a princo . . . perhaps- even more so. . . . Besides, if .you'ro not a duke, hurry up "and become one, hang it all! Genevieve can't marry anyone but a duke! Look at her; isn't she worth selling your soul for?" He did not even look at Leduc, not caring what'ho thought.' tliey had reached the house by this time: and Genevieve appeared at the foot-of the steps, comely and smiling.

"So vou have returned?" >slie said to the Prince. "Ah, that is a,good thing! lam so glad. ... Do you want to see Dolores?"

After a moment she showed him into Mrs Jvessel bach's 'room. The Prince was taken aback. Dolores was paler than ever, was thinner than on the day when he saw her last. Lying on a sofa wrapped up in white stuffs, she looked like one of those sick people who had ceased to struggle against death. An for her, she had ceased to struggle against life, against the fate that was overwhelming her with Us blows. Sernine gased at. her with deep pity and with an emotion which he did not strive to conceal. She thanked him for tlio sympathy which he showed her. She also spoke gf Baron Altenheim :n friendly terms.

" I have met an Altenheim who lived in the Rue de Rivoli. Do you think it's the same one?" " Oh \io 3 this one lives in. . . as 'a matter of fact, I don't quite know : he gave me his address., but I J air't say that I remember it. . . ."

After a few "minutes' conversation Sernine took his leave. Genevieve was waiting for him in the hall. "I want to speak to vou," she said eagerly, " on a serious matter. , . . Did you see him ?" "Whom?" " Baron. Altenheim, , - . But ihat's

not his name ... or at-least'be has another. ... I recognised him ... he does not know it."

Sho dragged ,him out of doors and walked on in great excitement. "Calm yourself, Genevieve. . . " He's the man who tried to carry me off. . . . But for that poor M. Lenonnand I should have been done for. . . . Come, you must know,' for you know everything. ..." " Then his real name is. . • •" "Ribeira."

" Are you sure?" "It was uo use his changing hie appearance, his accent, his manner. 1 knew him at once, by the horror with which he inspired me. But I said nothing . . . until you returned?" " You said nothing to Mrs Kesselbach either?"

"No._ She seemed so liappy at meeting a friend of her. husband's. But you will speak to her about it, will you not? You will protect her. . . . I donVb know what ho is preparing against her, against myself. . . . Now that M. .Lenormand is no longer there lie has nothing to fear, he does as ho pleases. Who can unmask him?" " I can. I will be responsible far everything. But not a word to anybody." They had reached the porter's The gate was opened. The prince said : Good-bye. Genevieve; and bo quite easy in your mind. lam there."

Ho shut the gate, turned round and gave a slight start. Opposite-his stood the man with the eye-glass. Baron Altenheim, with his head held well up, his broad shoulders, his powerful frame. They looked at each other for two or three seconds, in silence. The baron smiled. Then the baron said: .

"I was waiting for you, Lupin." For all his self-mastery, Sernine felt a thrill pass over him. He had cpme to unmask his adversary; and his adversary had unmasked him, at the first onset. And, at the same time, the adversary was accepting the contest boldly, brazenly, as though he, felt sure of victory. It was a swaggering tiling to do, and gave evidence of no small amount of pluck. The two men, violently hostile one to the other, took each other's measure with their eyes. " And what then?" asked Sernine. " What then ? Don't you think we •have occasion for a meeting P""Why?" "I want to talk to you." "What day will suit you?" " To-morrow. We'll have some hinch together at a restaurant." "Why not at your place?" , "You don't know my address." " Yes, I do." With a swift movement, the princo pulled out a newspaper protruding from Altenheim's pocket, a paper still "in its addressed wrapper, ana said: " 29, Villa Dupont." ' "Well played!" said the other. "Then we'll say to-morrow, at my place." , " To-morrow, at your place. At what time?" " One o'clock."

"I shall bo there. Good-bv©."

They were about to walk away. Altenheim stopped: Oil, one word more, prince. Bring a weapon with you." "Why?" , " I keep four men-servants, and you will be alone." '•

" I hare my fists," sakl Sernine "We shall be on even terms."

He turned his back on him, and then, calling him back: " Oh, one word more, baron. Engage four more servants." 1 "Why?"

"I hare thought it over. .1 shall bring my whip."

At one o'clock the next day. precisely 3 a horseman rode through the gate of the so-called Villa Dupqpt, a peaceful, countrified private road, the only entrance to which is in the Rue Pergolese. close to the Avenue du Bcis. It is lined with gardens and handsome private houses ; and, right at the end, it is, closed by a sort of little .park containing a large' old...house, behind which runs tho Paris circular railway. It was here, at No. 29, that Baron Altenheim lived.

Sernine flung tlio reins of liis horse to a groom whom he had sent 011 ahead and said:

" Bring himi back at half-pa«t two." He rang the bell. The garden gat© opened and ho walked to the front doorsteps, where he was awaited by frfro tall men in < livery who ushered him into an immense, cold stone hall, devoid of any ornament. The door closed behind him with a heavy thud; and, great and indomitable as his courage was, he nevertheless underwent an unpleasant sensation at feeling himself alone, surrounded by enemies, in that isolated prison. " Say Prince Sernine." r flie drawing-room was near and he was shown straight in.. " Ah. there you are. my dear prince!" said the baron, corning towards him. "Well, will you believe— Dominique, lunch in twenty minutes. Until then, don't let us be interrupted —will you believe, my dear prince, that I hardly expected to see you?" "Oh; really? Why?',' "Well, your declaration of war, tills morning, is so plain that an. interview becomes superfluous." "My declaration cf war?" I'll© baron unfolded a copy of the "Grand Journal" and pointed tb a paragraph which ran as follows: "Wo are authoritatively informed that M. Lenormand's disappearance has roused Arsons Lupin into taking action. After a brief inquiry and follovriue oil his proposal to clear up the Kesselbach case. Arcane Lupin has decided that he will find M. Le norm and, alive or dead, and that he will deliver the author or authors of that heinous series of crimes to justice." " This authoritative pronouncement oomes frorii you, my dear prince, of coarse?" " Ye«, it comes from me." ''Therefore, I w»s .right; it means war." , "Yes." ' Altenhoim gave Sernine a chair, sat down himself and said, in a conciliatory tone : " Y/elI, no, 1 cannot allow that. It is impossible that two men like ourselves should fight and injure each other.. We have only to come to an explanation, to seek the means. You and I are made to understand each other." "I think, on the contrary, that two men like ourselves are not made to understand each other." The baron suppressed a movement of impatience and continued:

"Listen, to me, Lupin. By the way, do you mind niv calling you Lupin?" "What shall I call you? Altenheim, Ribeira, or Parbury?" "Olio! I nee that you are even better posted than I thought 1 Hang it all, but you're jolly smart! All tho more reason why we should agreeP" And, bending towards bijn, "Listen, Lupin, and ponder my words well; I have weighed the in carefully every one. Look here. . . • Wo two are evenly matched. Dock that make you'smilie? You are wrong; it may be that vou possess resources which i do not; but I have others of which you know nothing. Moreover, as you are aware, I have few scruples, some skill, and. a capacity for chamring my personality which an ex|Kirt like yourself ought to appreciate. In short, the two adversaries aro each «s good as the other. But 0110 question remains unanswered : Why are wo adversaries? Wo are pursuing the same object, yo-u will sa-.v. And then? Do you know what will como .>t our rivalry? Each of u.-i will paralyse the efforts and destroy the work of the _ other; and wo shat'l both ■ mil's mr aim! Aikl for whoso benefit? Some Lenormand or other, a third rogue! . . , It's really too siily."

" It's really too silly, as you Kay/' Sernine admitted. " .But there is a remedy." "What ia that?" " For you to withdraw." "Don't chaff. I am serious. Tho proposal which I am making you is not one to. be rejected without examination. Here it is, in two words: let's bo partners 1" " T say»"

" Of course, each of us will continue iree where his own affairs are concerned. But for the business in question, let us combine our efforts. Does that suit you? mnd in hand and share alike."

"What do you bring?" "I?"

"Yes, you know what I'm worth; I've delivered my proofs. In the alliance which you are proposing, you know the figure, so t-o speak, of my marriage portion. What's yours*"' " Steinweg." " That's not much." " It's immense. Through Steinweg. we learn the truth about Pierre Leduc. Through Steinweg, we get to know what the famous Kesselbach plan is all about."

Sernine burst out laughing. "And you need me for that?"

"I'don't understand."

" Come, old chap, your offer is childish. You have Steinweg in your hands. If you wish for my collaboration,' it is because you have, not succeeded in making him speak. But for. that fact, you would do without isy services." "Well, what of it?" " I refuse." ■ The two men stood up to each otheT onco more, violent and implacable. "I refuse," said Sernine. "Lupin requires nobody, in order to act. I .am one of those who walk alone. If you were my equal, aa you protend to be, the idea of a partnership would never" have entered your head. The man who has the stature of a leader commands. Union implies obedience. Ido not obey."

"You refuse? You refuse?" repeated Altenheim, turning pale under the insult.

" All that I can do f6r you, old chap, is to offer you a place in my band. You'll be a private soldier, to begin with. Under my orders, you shall see how a general wins a battle . . . and. how he pockets the booty, by himself and for himself. Does that suit you . . . Tommy?" Altenheim was beside himself with fury. He gnashed his teeth: " You are wrong, Lupin," he mumbled; "you are wrong. . . . I don't want anybody, either; and this business gives me no more difficulty than plenty of others which I have pulled off. . . . What I said was to effect our object more quickly alid without inconveniencing each other." "You're not inconveniencing me," eaid Luoin. scornfully. "Look here! If we don't combine, only one of us will succeed." '/That's good enough for mc." " And he will only succeed by passing over tho other's body. Are you prepared for that sort of duel, Lupin? A duel to tile death, do you understand? . . . The knife is a method which you despise; but suppose ycu received one, Lupin, right in the throat?" j "Aha!, So, when all is said and done, that's what you propose?" "No, I am not very fond of shedding' blood. . J . Look at my fists : I strike . . . and my man falls. ... I have special blows of my own. . . . But the other one kills ... remember , . tho little wound in the throat.

. . . Ah, Lupin, beware of him, be-wai-e of that on© 1 . . . He is terrible and implacable. . . . Nothing stops him."

He spoke these words in a low voice and with so much excitement that Sernihe shuddered at the hideous thought of the unknown murderer.

"Baron," he chuckled, "one would think that you were afraid of your accomplice !" "I am afraid for the others,, for those who bar our road, for yon, Lupin. L Accept, or you are lost. I shall act my eel f, if necessary. The goal is too near ... I have ray hand on it . . .

Get out of my way, Lupin!" He spoke forcibly, all energy and exasperated will, and so brutally that lie seemed ready to strike his enemy then and there. Scrnine shrugged his shoulders. "Lord, how hungry I am!" he said, yawning. " What a time to lunch at!" : The door opened. "Lunch is served, sir," said the butler.

"Ah, that's good hearing!',' In the -doorwayj Altenheim caught Sernine by the arm and, disregarding tho servant's presence: " If you take my adrioe . . . accept. This is' a serious moment in your life. And you will be wise, I swear to you, you will be wise . . . to accept . "Caviare!"' cried Sernine. "Now that's too sweet of you ... You remembered that you were entertaining a Russian prince!" They sat down facing each other, with the baron's greyhound, a largo animal with long, silvery hair, between them.

"Let- me introduce Sirius, my most faithful friend."

" A fellow-countryman," said Sernine. " I shall never forget the one which the Czar was good enough to give me. when I had the honour to save his life.''

/ " Ah, you had that honour . . . » terrorist conspiracy, no doubt?" "Yes, a conspiracy got up by myself. You must know, the dog's name was Sebastopol ..." , 1 Tlie lunch continued merrily. Altenheim had recovered his good Jhumour and the two men vied with each, other in wit and politeness. Sernine told anecdotes which the baron capped with others; and it was a succession of stories of hunting, sport and travel, in which the oldest names in Europe were constantly cropping up. Spanish grandees, English lords, Hungarian Magyars, Austrian archdukes. "All" said Sernine, "what a fine profession is ours! ' It brines us into touch, with all the best people. Here, Sirius, a bit of this truffled chicken!'' The dog did not take its eyes oS him and snapped at everything Sernine gave it. , % " A glass of Chambertin. prince?" "With pleasure, baron. , " I can recommend it. It carries from King Leopold's cellars.'' " A present?" "Yes, a present I made myself." "It's delicious . . What a bouquet! . . . With this pate do foie gras, it's simply wonderful! . . . I must congratulate you, baron ; you have a Srstrate chef."

"My chef is a woman cook, prince. I bribed her with untold gold to leave Lovraud, the Socialist deputy. I say, try this hot chocolate ice; and let m© call your special attention to the little dry cakes that go with it. They're an invention of genius, those cakes. "The shape is charming, in any case," said Sornine, helping himself. u If they taste us good ;us they look . . Here, Sirius. you'll love this . . . He took oue of the cakes and gave, it to the dog. Sirius swallowed it at a gulp, stood motionless for two or three seconds, as though dazed, then turned in a circle and fell to tho floor, dead. Sernine started back from his chair, lest one of the footmen should fall upon liim unawares, and burst out laughing.

" Look here,., baron, next time you want to poison one of your friends, try to st-eadv your voice and keep your hands from shaking. . . Otherwise, people suspect you. But I thought you disliked murder?" "Well, you see," said the other, quite unperturbed, " one has to whet oil's appetite. I wanted to see what it was like.'*

"By Jove, my lad, you chogse your subjects well. A Russian prince!" Pie walked up to Altenheim, and, i.u* a confidential tone, said: " Do you know what would have happened if you had succeeded; that is to say, if my friends had not seen me return at three o'clock at latest? Well, at half-past three the prefect of police would have known exactly all that there was to know about the so-called Baron Altenheinij and the, said Baron would have been copped before the day was out, and clapped in the Depot." "Pooh!" said Altenheim. "Prison one escapes from . . . whereas one doesn't come back from the kingdom where I was sending you." "That's true, but Avould have to send me there lust, utid that's not jso e*as»"

" It only -wanted a mouthful of ana of those cakes." " Are you quite sore?"

" Try."

"One thing's certain, old chap; you haven't the stuff yet which great adventurers are made of., and I doubt if you'll ever have it, considering the sort of traps you lay for me. A man who thinks himself ■ worthy of leading the life which we have the honour: to load must also bo,fit to lead it,-and, for that, must he prepared for every eventuality, "'.jpu •understand, every , An undaunted soul in an unassailable body; that is the ideal which ho iiuis''. set before himself .... and attain. Try away, old chap. As L for me, 1.-a'aj undaunted and unassailable. - He went back to the chair.

"Let's finish our lunch. But. as'l like proving the virtues to which T-lay claim, and as, on the other hand.'l don t want to hurt your cook's feelings, just pass ine that plate'of cakes. , v

He took one of thorn, broke it in two, and held out one half to th« baron. " Eat that f"

The other gave a movement of recoil. "Funk!" said Seniino; ' ; And, before the wondering eyes of the baron and his satellites, lie bega,n to eat the first and then the second half of the cake, quietly, conscientiously; as a man oats a dainty of which h® would hate to miss tlio least morsol, " (To be continued.)