A -r t t i n H c
6 TWICE-A-MONTH MAGAZINE SECTION
"Your personal property !" face intently as he did bo. My own and sat down again in my chair, staring
"Certainly; my revolver, and private mind was in something of a chaos, into their faces. "I am a French
letters." Was it necessary for me to remain soldier."
He glanced aside at the table, non- and negotiate with the fellow? Whh No one moved, only Franzen and
pluscd for a moment, but as instantly the revolver in my possession why the other glanced aside at Brandt,
recovering assurance. could I not force my release? Some as though expecting orders. It seemed
"Oh, exactly; really do you know suspicion halted me, for Brandt's very to me the latter hesitated, as if puzzled
I had actually forgotten. You see coolness left me with a vague feeling at my sudden decision,
they fell out of vour pockets, and we that the man was not alone, that I "Don't be a fool, Dessaud," ho ex
picked them up and to my surprise, was still completely in his power, claimed sullenly. "This is between
he swept the papers together, handed One of his hands was in the iwekct of us alone; you better accept the money."
them to me, then opened a drawer, his coat, and 1 thought of a hidden "No; I have answered you."
and gave me the weapon. It was done weapon, and wondered if lie hadn't "From whom do you expect help,
with such an air of good-fellowship emptied my own revolver of its car- man? The Consul and your two
that I could only starctit him, my hand tridges before handing it back. Con- machinists alone know you arc in the
gripping tho revolver butt. vinced this must be true, 1 remained city surely it isn't that woman?"
"Nice weapon," he commented cas- quiet awaiting his reply. He laughed, glancing aside at tho
ily, "latest automatic model, I sec; "What is your price?" he asked fellow with the mustache. "Youmigit
I am something of a connoisseur in finally, a bit of ill concealed contempt tell him what has become of the girl,
fire-arms; acquired the taste in the in the tone. Swigert."
armv. To tell the truth I was almost "Suonose I sav fiftv thousand." "She was watched in her own home,
tempted to keep that gun, and report "Francs?" the other rumbled. "I know. I just
. . . . i t t . . , ! ii ii ... t l . j rr
nanny; i unuersioou jour oiiur
to be in American money."
Without chansine his attitude I
-! 1 1 1 1 ant 4 Via mo r a muutlna etiffnn Vita nnn c nf lirt umwl a 1 lntnTPttt, f ft TTIO.
leaned back comfortably in his chair, teeth clinch. I said, yet conscious of a vague dis-
"you arc about the first Frenchman "Arc you in earnest?" he asked appointment. "I refuse, not from any
I ever cared to bo friendly with." sharply. "That is your price?" hope of escape, but because I hold
"The form your friendship takes," I nodded, wondering what I would my honor of more value than my
I commended sarcastically, would not do if he should accept, lhere was life.
prove a recommendation to many." an instant of silence, and then, before
"You can scarcely blame me for he could speak three raps sounded
protecting myself; remember you were on tho outside door,
the aeercssor."
CHAPTEU VII.
to you that it was lost in the skirmish.
Still, of the two. 1 rather believe I
prefer to retain your confidence. Fact
of the matter is, Dessaud," ami he
come from there."
"You are still obstinate?"
'The wherabouts of Miss Probyn
It was sufficiently plain that his
present purpose was to win my confi
dence. Unaware that I had overheard
his indiscreet conversation with Fran-
A Woman Interferes.
"Yet vou set a price."'
"Pardon, Messieurs, but I did not.
I mentioned a price to test tho value
of my invention. Personally I am
not for sale."
"Your decision is final?"
"It is go on."
"We will go on. You have a lesson
Ignoring mv presence Brandt crossed
en, he preferred to substitute diplo- the room, and disappeared in the to learn-yet. Stand up! Now hear
macy to force. Under the circum- narrow hall. 1 lound as l already me. we, the lour oi us, are going
stances 1 could do nothing better than suspected, that my revolver was empty, down tho elevator, and will take a
encourage the effort. However there This accounted then for his cool- cab waiting at the front door. You
was no apparent reason why I should ncss armed himself he had no fear will walk with me,- Monsieur, and
not call his hand, and be blunt about of me, with only that useless weapon Swigert and Franzen will bo just be
lt, with which to wage battle. I sank hind. I advise you not to attempt
"All right, let it go at that," I back into my chair, calm enough to breaking away, or raising any alarm,
said quietly. "And now, Hrandt, what all outward appearance, but with The house detective will meet us in
is it you want? I am not simple enough every nerve throbbing, lie came back the hall, and accompany us to the
to believe all this is an accident, accompanied by two men; one was door. He supposes you to be Baron
If there is an understanding to be come Franzen, the other a stranger with Von Eisel, a friend of ours, crazed
at, state ' your purpose. I'll answer drooping blonde mustache, and heavily with drink, whom wc are taking
you promptly enough." arched brows. While Brandt locked home. He is paid to think so. Any
"That sounds like a declaration of the door, this fellow stood and stared break on your part will result in some
war." at me in silence, and something in his rough handling. Franzen, nut Lieu-
" Whether peace or war depends on expression caused me to rise to my tenant Dessaud's hat on his head,
your demands." feet. It was the Captain, however, Now, Monsieur, permit me to take
"Weill" he exclaimed, losing the who spoke first, advancing to the your arm."
grip on his temper. "It makes small table. An instant I hesitated, even stepped
odds to me which, if you want to "Well, Dessaud," he said more back against tho wall, half inclined to
know. You are going to give up one roughly than before. "I guess we resistance. Yet the odds were too
way or the other, my fine fellow, and understand each other, and need spar great for me to battle single-handed
I don't give a sou markec, whether no longer. You know why I am against three armed men. Swigert
I talk with money or fists." here, and what I am after. I take gripped my shoulder savagely, and
"Try money first," I suggested, it 1 am not entirely unknown to you swung me into the center of the room,
eager to have my value stated. ''That by reputation ?" " Maybe you want me to show you !"
will be easier." " I have heard of you before." he growled, "how we handle men in
He stared at ma in perplexity, my "Most French officers have," he the German barracks? You go quiet
cool demeanor a surprise, and unable confessed dryly, but with a smile of hey ? "
to determine whether, . or not, my satisfaction. "That knowledge ought Brandt took my arm. his grasp firm,
proposition was made in earnest, to make my work easier. For instance " Come on, Dessaud," he said quietly.
Without doubt, however, he had been you are aware that I never betray a "That is no use."
accustomed to dealing with men who secret, and never let go when I once I realized it, but was too angry for
were for sale, and my willingness to take hold. Is this true?" words. Besides . anything would be
be approached convinced him I be- "That is your reputation yes." better than this room. Franzen opened
longed to the same class and could be "Then listen; you are in my power, the door, and turned out the lights,
bribed if he offered enough. absolutely in my power. No one except and I permitted Brandt to lead me
"I can offer $20,000 American those in my employ have the slightest forth into the hall. The houso detec
gold " in a whisper, leaning closer, conception as to what has become of tive stood leaning against the stair-
"And projection ?" you. I can take your life, and it will rail, watching us curiously.
"Certainly; a little private matter merely remain a mystery. No one "Still 'bug'?" he asked, indiffer
between you and me." in this hotel knows who. you are, or ently.
"I do not trust Franzen," appear- will ever suspect your identity. You "Nothing serious," returned Brandt,
ing to hesitate. are helpless to defend yourself; the urging me toward tne elevator. "Only
"That needn't interfere; I'll send revolver I just returned to you is un- a bit quarrelsome; thinks we're trying
him out on some errand, and telephone loaded. Now the only question is, to rob him. You better come along,
for a publie stenographer to be sent are you going to be sensible, and give officer, until we get him safely outside."
up here. She will take down what me the information I seek, or shall We were alone in the elevator, and
you have to say, and will never under- we have to drill it out of you? I am I was crowded back into one corner,
stand a word of it. When typed we'll indifferent as to your choice, for we The utter uselessness of attempting
pay her to destroy the notes. That are prepared for either emergency, resistance, or of making any appeal
will protect all parties." As to your price, it is too high; my for help, was apparent. The very
"What is it you want-exactly ?" limit is twenty-five thousand dollars." presence of the hotel officer left me
"A technical description of your "You offer that?" helpless. Yet my brain was active
machine, describing accurately wherein "Yes." enough, and I was alert for the slightest
it differs from the ordinary type. "And if I refuse, you intend to try opportunity. There were several men
I am not an expert, but I know enough and force the information from me. scattered about the lobby, and, per
of such matters so as not to be de- May I ask how?" haps, a half dozen women visible in an
ceived." "You may ask, certainly, but we ante-room beyond. A single swift
"You represent your government?" keep our own counsel," smiling plea- glance informed me thia was not the
He nodded, now thoroughly con- sandy enough. "That, however, is a Congress, although from appearance
vinced of success, and no longer dis- procedure in which I have seldom a hotel of high grade, the furnishing
guising his eagerness. failed. I think, Monsieur, you must expensive, and in excellent taste. The
"Then you can offer more the perceive the helplessness of your posi- clock above the clerk's desk, told me
secret is worth more," I said calmly, tion, and, I trust, will accept my the hour a quarter of eleven. Almost
realizing my surrender must not be terms, which? you must confess, are before I realized what was happening
loo suauen. -inosi, generous. 1 nad been hustled a
He lit a cigarette, studying my
ftcrnau t h lnhhv
"I refuse them," I returned coldly,, onto the sidewalk in front. Strange
as I was to the city nothing familiar
greeted me in my swift glance up and
down the street. My guards gave
me no opportunity to perceive much,
closing tightly about, and pressing me
hastily forward. Tho taxi stood Blightly
at one side the hotel entrance, but I
caught a glimpse of the chauffeur's
face in the blaze of electric light, as
I was unceremoniously thrust through
the open door he was the reporter,
Eisenbarth. Franzen and Swigert
jammed themselves into the back
Beat on either side of me, still gripping
my arms, and Brandt had one foot on
tho step, when ho paused suddenly,
and closed the door.
"Wait a minute," he said shortly,
"until I use the telephone."
Helpless to move, crushed in as I
was, 1 could see the hotel entrance, and
watched him disappear, leaving tho
house-detective loitering in tho door
way. No one spoke, excent for a growl
from one of my guards as 1 attempted to
assume as easier posture. The glass
windows were up in front, and the
chauffeur appeared only as a mere
shadow. During thoso few moments
there was borne in upon me a full con
sciousness of my desperate situation.
Previously I ha. I taken the matter
rather lightly, unable to comprehend
how such an outrage as this could be
consummated in the very heart of tho .
city. I was not unknown, or friendless
even in Chicago; to my countrymen
my name stood for much, and there
were many all about who would rally
at a word to my relief. It had seemed
' that could I once escape from that room
up stairs any appeal for help would
meet with instant response. Yet the
possibility of my attempting such an
escape had been anticipated, and
guarded against. I was merely a drunk
en fool, being taken home by friends,
under direction of the hotel police
officer. Any appeal I might make
would only be laughed at. And these
fellows were in earnest; they were pre
pared to go far in attaining their
ends. This was a plot, well conceived
and thought out. From tho first
appearance of Miss Probyn the object
of every move was to get me into
their possession: it had all been planned:
the quarrel at tne cafe, the room rented
in this obscure hotel, the rifling of
my pockets, the offer of money. An I
now, when all these means of learning
my Becret had failed, these men were
equally prepared to go with on even
more desperate tactics. Eisenbarth
had not asked where he was to drive
the machine; he already knew. I
did not, yet my mind grasped one
probable fact I was cither to be taken
to some rendezvous, where I could bo
safely kept from discovery, or else
to the hangar where my monoplane
was under guard. The latter supposi
tion did not appear reasonable in view
of the fact that such an appearance
would involve the danger of exposure.
Brandt would never risk that, except
as a last resort. He was a secret agent,
and his ability to produce results de
pended largely on his presence being
unknown. From the conversation
overheard it was evident my men hai
been already tampered with the Pin
kerton guard or one of them, at least
bought, and Ramon rendered use
less by intoxicants. But De Vigne
remained sober and watchful and
the hangar could not be broken into
without creating alarm. No, the
object must be to get me where I coul 1
be handled, tortured if need be, an!
driven to reveal all I knew. And I
could expect little mercy, once they
deemed themselves safe. 1 had heard
whispers of Brandt's methods in Europe;
diplomatic and smiling as he ap
peared outwardly, by nature he be
longed to the age of the Inquisition.
To attain his ends he would not hesi
tate at any desperate expedient. The
outlook was not a pleasant one.
The house-detective disappeared
within; there were occasional passers
by, yet I was guarded too closely to
make any disturbance. I thought I
saw someone loitering in the dark
doorway of a railway ticket office
(Continued on Pag 8)
