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8YNOPSI8.
Tho (itory opens at Monte Carlo with
Col. Tcrenco OTtourko, a mllltury free
lanco and somcthlnR of a Rambler, In hl
hotr-l. leaning on tho balcony ho sees a
beautiful girl who nuddenly enters the
elevator nnd passes from bIrIU. At tho
KamlnR table O'Rourke notleen two men
watchlnR him. One Is the Hon. Uertlo
Glynn, whllo his companion Ih VlHcount
Dea Trebes. a duollm. Tho viscount tolls
him tho French government has directed
him to O'Kourko as a man who would
undcrtako a secret mission.
CHAPTER III.
As he stepped out of tlio lift Colonel
O'llourko remarked a light In hlB
room, vlalblo through tho transom
over tho door.
"Tho fommo do chambro," ho
thought "Sure and tho poor thing's
still busy trylnu to clear up. , , ,"
To the coutrary, ho found tho door
fast. " 'Tls careless sho was to leave
tho light on," ho observed, fitting his
koy In tho lock.
If thoughtless In that ono way. tho
woman had fulfilled tho letter of her
word In the other. It was with com
prehensive relief (since ho nntlclpatod
n callor) that ho found tho room once
ngaln presentable
Dut one thing surprised him; and
taioro surprising still was tho fact that
his ordinarily Indlfferont eyo should
havo detected It at tho first glance.
Ho had Indeed hardly cntored before
ho became awaro of a square of white
paper tucked In tho corner of tho bu
rcau mirror.
"Tho dlvvlo, now!" ho greeted It.
"Thut's curious. . . . Could ono of
mo many ndmlrcrs havo bribed tho
fommo do chambro to bring a nolo to
mo?" Ho chuckled, holding to the
light a much soiled envelope, grimy
with the mnrks of many lingers, plas
tered with stamps and black with
postago marks and substltuto ad
dresses, having evidently been for
warded over half tho world boforo It
reached tho addressee: who was,
In a bold hand, "Colonel Terence
O'llourko."
Ho whistled low over this, oxaniln
lng It Intently, Infinitely Ices concern
ed with Its contents than with the
manner by which It had renched him.
Tho 2rst postmark Bcemcd to bo that
of Rangoon, the original address, the
Corclo Mllltalro, his clifb In Paris
Thonco. apparently, It had sought him
In Gnlway. Ireland, Dublin, Paris again,
and finally after half a dozen other
addresses "C. of Mme. O'Rourke, Ho
tel Carlton, London." The London
postmark wns Indcclphorablo. . , .
Ho found himself trotnbllng violent,
ly. Dy ono hand nlono could this
havo reached him, since the post had
not brought It to Montu Carlo. . . .
Ho recalled that woman's volco which
had so stirred him, tho woman, of tho
Casino .whoso beurlng had seemed to
him so familiar. ... ,
Sonio ono tapped on tho door; he
smothered a curso-of annoyance, and
went to nnswor, thrusting tho letter
Into his pocket,
A pago announced Mouslcur le
Comto dos Trebes.
"Show tho gentleman up," snapped
O'Rourke, Ho was about to add, "In
five minutes," when Dos Trebes him
self appeared.
"Anticipating that message, mon
alour," ho said, moving Into view
from ono sldo of the door, "I look the
liberty of accompanying this boy. 1
am late, 1 rear."
O'llourko forcod a nod and smllo of
welcome. "Not to my knowledge," said
too.
Tho Frenchman consulted his watch,
"Ten minutes Into, monsieur; It Is ten
past midnight."
-"Then," said O'Rourke, "tho top o'
tho morning to yo. Enter, monsieur."
Ho stood asldo, closing tho door be
tilm nla guest. "Tls no matter; If
1 thought ye punctual, 'tls so yo are
to all Intents and purposes. . v. .
A chair, monsieur." Ho established
Des Trebes by a window. "And a clg
urutto? ... A drop to drink?
. , . As yo will. . . . And since
'tls to talk secret business that wo're
toore would yo llko tho door locked?"
"That Is hardly cssentlall" Dos Tre
bes reviowed his surroundings with
BWlft, searching glance. "We are ut
least sccuro from Interruption; one
could ask llttlo more."
"True for yo," laughed O'Rourke. He
moved toward tho alcove, "Now llrsi
of all I'm to submit proofs of mo Idcn
tlty, I believe," ho added, Intending to
dig out of his trunk a dispatch-box
containing his passports and other pa
pers of a private nature.
Dut Dob Trebes had changed his
mind. "That la unnecessary, mop
sleur, Vour vory willingness Is sulll
clcnt proof. I havo your word and
am content"
"That's tho way of doing business
that I like,") assented O'llourko hoart
lly, warming a llttlo to the man as ho
turned back a chair facing tho vi
FLAME
by I0UIS JOSEPH YANC
ILLUSTRATIONS
ELLSWOltTHYOraG
COPYRICHT 1909 y OUI305EPH
comto. "Besides, I quarrol with no
man's right to bo reasonablo. . . .
And now I'm at your servlco, mon
sieur." Des Trebes, lounging back, knees
crossed," thin white fingers interlac
ing, block eyes narrowing, regarded
tho Irishman thoughtfully for n mo
ment Abruptly ho sat up and re
moved from an Innor popket a long
thin whlto envolope. thrice sealed with
red wax nnd Innocent of any super
scription whatever.
"Aro you prepared, monsieur," ho
demanded Incisively, "to play blind
man's buff?"
"Am 1 what?" asked O'Rourke, star
tled. Then ho smiled. "Pardon; per
haps I fall to follow yo."
"I mean," explained tho vlcomto na-
tlcntly, "that I havo to offer you a
commission to act under sealed or
ders" ho tapped tho envelope "the
orders contained heroin."
"And when would I bo frco to open
that?"
"As soon as you aro at sea away
from Franco, Monslour."
O'Rourko considered the envelope
doubtfully. "From you. monsieur from
tho Government of Franco, which you
represent," ho snld at longth, "yes;
I will accept such a commission.
Franco." ho averred simply, "knows
mo; It wouldn't he asking mo to do
anything a gentleman shouldn't."
"You may feel nssured of that"
agreed Des Trebes gravely. "Indeed, I
venturo to nssert you will find this
lot us say adventure much to your
liking. . . . Then you accept?"
"Ono moment a dozen questions,
by your leave . . . When must I
sturt?"
"Tomorrow morning by the Coto
il'Azur Rnpldo, at ten minutes to
eight."
"And where will I be going?"
"FlrBt to Paris; thenco to Havre;
thence, by tho first available steamer,
to Now York; finally. It may bo to
Venezuela, monsieur."
"Expenses?"
"I will myself furnish you with funds
sufllclont to finance you as far as
Now York. Thore our consul-general
will provldo you with what moro you
may require. It Is essential that your
connection with this affair shall bo
kept secret; should you draw on tho
government In this country, It would
cxposo you to grave suspicions, pcr
haps to danger."
"I understand that," assontod tho
Irishman. "Dut to obviate all dancer
of mistake, would It not bo well to
havo ono of your trusted agents meot
mo on tho steamer and provldo mo
with whatever yo flguro I might re
quire? 'Tls barely poBalblo your con
Bulgenorni might not rocognizo mo In
Now York. Why should ho? I never
heard his nnmo, even."
Des TreboB meditated this briefly.
"It nhnll be as you desire, monslour. It
shall bo arranged as you suggest"
"Finally, then, what Is to bo my
recompenso?"
"That must depend. I urn authorized
to assuro you that In no case will
you recolvo less than twenty-five thou
snnd francs; In event of a successful
termination of your mission, tho re
ward will bo doubled."
" 'Tls onough," snld O'Rourko with a
sigh; "1 accept"
Tho Frenchman rose, offering him
tho envelope. "You must pledgo your
solf, monsieur, not to broak theso bohIb
until you nro(at sea?"
"Absolutely of course." O'Rourko
took tho packet, weighed It curiously
In his hand and scrutinized tho seals.
Ho remarked that thoy wero yet Boft
and fresh; tho wax had boon hot with
in tho halt hour.
"1 will do myself tho honor of meet
ing you at tho train to see you off, mon
slour." said Dos Trebos. "At that time,
also, will I provldo you with tho funds'
you requlro."
"Thank yo."
Their hands mot
"Good night, Monsieur O'Rourke."
"Good night. . . ."
Half way to the door, Des Trebos
paused. "Oh, by tho way," ho ex
claimed carelessly, " bellovo von nr
a frlond of my old schoolfellow, Cham
brot mon chor Adolph?"
"Tls so," assented tho Irishman
warmly. "Tho best of men Chnm
brctl"
"Odd," commented tho vlcomto;
"ouly this afternoon I was thinking
of him, wondering what had bocorao
of tho man."
"Tho last I heard of him, ho was In
Algeria, monslour with somo French
forco in tho dosert"
"Thank you . . ." On tho point
of leaving tho vlcomto auapped his
teeth on a second "Good night," and
sworo beneath his breath.
O'Rourko, surprlsod, stared. Tho
Frenchman was Btnndlng stiffly at at
tention, as It. alarmed. His pallor was,
If posslblo, Increased, livid his close
ly shaven beard showing bluo-black on
his heavy jowls and prominent chin.
POOLj
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- BY
"Monsieur, Your
His eyes blazed, shifting from tho al
cove to O'Rourko.
"Monsieur?" he demanded harshly,
"what does this Insult mean?"
"Mean?" Iterated O'Rourko. "Insult?
Faith, yo havo mo there."
Speechless with rago, Des Trebes ges
tured violently toward tho alcove; and
O'Rourko becamo aware that the cur
tains wero shaking wnverlng ns
though a draught stirred them. But
thcro was no draught And beneath
tholr edge ho saw two feet two small,
bewitching feet In the daintiest and
most absurd of evening slippers, with
an Inch or so of silken stockings show
ing above each.
Des Trebes' eyes, filled with an ex
pression unspeakably offensive, mot
tho Irishman's blank, wonderiug gaze.
"It la, no doubt," tho Frenchman stam
mered, "sanctioned by your codo to
havo me spied upon by the partner of
your HalsonB."
"Dut, monsieur "
"I compliment tho lady upon tho
smallnesa of her feet, ns well as upon
ankles so charming that 1 cannot bring
raysolf to leave without a glimpse of
their mistress' features."
Des Trebes moved toward tho al
cove. Thunderstruck, O'Rourko rap
ped out a Btupeflod oath, then In a
stride forestalled tho man. With him
It wns ns If suddenly a circuit had
closod In his Intelligence, establishing
a doflnito connection between tho three
now four most mystifying incidents
of tho evening,
"Less hnsto, monsieur," ho coun
seled In a volco of Ice. His hand fell
with almost paralyzing forco upon the
other's wrist as ho sought to grasp
tho curtain, and swung him roughly
back. "Yourself will never know who's
there whoover tho lady may bo. . . .
Ah, but no, monsieur!"
Maddened beyond prudence, Des
Trebes had struck at his face.
O'Rourko warded off (ho blow and In
what seemed the snmo movement
whirled tho man round by his captlvo
wrist and cnught tho other arm from
tho back. Tho briefest of struggles en
sued. Tho Frenchman, taken nt a com
plete disadvantage, was for all his re
sistance hustled to tho door and
thrown thiough It beforo ho fairly com
prehended what wub happening.
Free at longth, It on all fours, ho
scrambled to his foot to find O'Rourko
had Bhut tho door behind him, caltnly
awaiting tho next movo.
"Haven't yo had enough?" demand
ed tho irishman as tho vlcomto, blind
ed with passion, seemed about to re
new tho attack. "Or aro yo wishful
to bo going downstairs In tho same
fashion?"
Dca Trebes drow back, snarling.
"You dog!" ho cried Then abrupt
ly, by an adinlrablo effort, ho calmed
himself surprisingly, drawing himself
up with considerable dignity and throt
tling bis temper aa ho quietly adjust
ed tho disorder of his clothing. Only
In his eyes, black as sloes and small,
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Noso Annoys Mel"
did there remain any trace of his ma
lignant and unquenchallo hatred.
I am unfortunately," ho sneered,
"Incapable of participating In such
brawls as you prefer, Colonel O'Rourke.
But I am not content. I warn
you . . . My rank prevents mo from
punishing you personally; I am obliged
to flght gentlemen only."
O'llourko laughed openly.
"Dut I advlso you to leave Monte
Carlo beforo morning. Should you re
main, or should you come within my
neighborhood another time nt what
ever time I will kill you aa I would a
rabid cur or causo you to be shot"
"There's always tho coward's al
ternative," returned tho Irishman.
"But yo mustn't forgot yo'vo only tho
ono leg to stand upon In society your
notoriety as a duelist And I shall
take steps to seo that yo fight me bo
foro sunset Else shall all Europe
know yo for a coward."
Behind the vlcomto tho lift shot up,
paused, and discharged a single pas
senger. As swiftly tho cago dlsap
poared. Out of the corner of his eye,
O'Rourko recognized tho newcomer as
nn old acquaintance, and his hoart
swelled with gratitude whllo a smllo
of raro pleasure shaped ltsolf upon
bis lips. He had now the Frenchman
absolutely at his mercy.
"Captain von Elnem," ho said
quickly, "by your leavo, a moment of
your time."
Tho man paused stiffly, with tho
squarosot and erect polso of an officer
of tho German army. "At your service,
Colonel O'Rourko." he said In impec
cable French.
But tho Irishman had returned undi
vided attention to Des Trebes. "Mon
sieur," ho announced, "your nose an
noys me." And with that he shot out
a hand and seized the offensive mem
ber between a strong and capable
thumb and forefinger. "It has annoy
ed mo," ho explained in pnrenthesls,
"ever Binco I tlrst clapped mo two eyes
upon ye, Bcum of tho enrth that yo
are."
And ho tweaked tho noso of Mon
sieur lo Vlscomto des Trebes, tweak
ed It with a will and great pleasure,
tweaked It for glory and tho Saints;
carefully, methodically, oven painstak
ingly, ho kneaded and pulled and twist
ed It from side to sldo, ero releas
ing It
Then stepping bnck and wiping his
lingers upon a handkerchief, he cock
ed his hcadytb ono sldo nnd admired
tho resuu oi ins handiwork. "'Tls
an amazingly happy effect," be ob
served critically "the crimson blotch
It makes ugalnst tho chalky complox
lou yo affect, Monsieur des Trebes.
. . . And now I fancy ye'll fight
Your friends may call upon mine bore
Captain von Elnem, with your per
mission." A
"Most happy, Colonel O'Rourke." as-
Jsentod the German, blue eyes sparkling
In nn Immobile countenance. "I Jhall
"wait tho seconds of Monsieur des Trr
-s in my rooms."
ho Frenchman essayed to spealf
cnoked with passion, nnd turning ab
ruptly, somowhat unsteadily descend
ing the staircase.
O'Rourko laughed brlelly, offering
the German his hand. " 'Twus wonder
fully opportune, your appearance, cap
tain dear," said he. "Thank yo from
tho bottom of mo heart. . . . And
now will yo forgive mo excusing mo
self until I hear from yo about tho af
fair of tho morning? I'vo a friend
waiting In me room hero. . . . Par
don tho rudeness."
CHAPTER IV.
It would bo difficult to designate pre
cisely Just what O'Rourko thought to
discover, when after a punctilious re
turn of Captain von Elnem's Baluto, ho
reopened his door and, closing It quick
ly as ho entered, turned tho key In tho
lock.
His mood was jzalted, his Imagina
tion excited; the swift succession of
events which' had made memorablo the
night, culminating with his open In
vitation to a challenge from the most
desperate duelist In Europe, had In
spired p volatile vivacity such as not
even tho excitement of tho Casino had
been potent to create In him. Of all
mad conjectures Imaginable tho mad
dest was too wolrd for him to credit In
his humor of that hour. Eliminating
all else that had happened, In tho
course of that short ovenlng. his heart
had been stirred, his emotions played
upon by a rccrudesenco or a passion
which he had striven with all his
strength to put behind him for u time;
ho had first heard the volco of tho one
woman to whom his lovo and faith and
honor were Irretrievably pledgeu, ho
had then seen her (or another who re
markably resembled her) for the scant
iest of Instants; and finally ho had
mysteriously received a letter which
could, he believed, have been convey
ed to him by no other hand but hers.
And now ho was persuaded beyond n
doubt that tho person of the alcove,
the eavosdropper for whoso fair repute
ho had chosen to risk his lite, wns no
body In the world but that snmo ono
woman.
But uoro than all else, perhaps, he
expected and feared to find the room
deserted: for the balcony outsldo the
windows afforded a means of escape
too facile to be neglected by one who
wished not to be discovered. . . .
His first definite .impression was of
consternation and despair; for tho
lights had been shut off In his ab
sence. Then quickly he discerned,
with eyes dazed by tho change from
tho lighted hallway to the llghtlesa
chamber, the shadowy shape of a wom
an, motionless between him and the
windows, waiting. . . .
An electric switch was at his el
bow. With a single motion h could
uavo drenched tho place with light
For an Inatnnt tempted, some strange
scruplo of delicacy, abetted It may be
by his native love of romantic mystery,
stayed his hand.
"Madame," said he, "or mademoi
selle, whichever yo may be tho win
dows aro open, meself's not detaining
ye. If yo choose, yo may go; but
ye'd favor mo by going quickly. . . .
I give ye,' ho continued, seeing that
sho neither moved nor replied, "this
ono chnnco. In thirty seconds I turn
on tho lights."
Tho woman did not stir; but he
thought he could detect In tho still
ness her quickened breathing.
"What yo'vo taken," he amended,
"I'd thank yo to leavo as yo go It yo
camo to steal. Tls little I have to
lose. . . ."
There was no answer.
He touched the switch with an Im
patient hand, stepped forward a single
pace, caught himself up and stopped
short, now pale and trembling who had
a moment gone been flushed with
calm.
"Beatrix!" he cried thickly.
Dumbly his wife lifted her arms and
offered herself to him, unutterably
lovely, unspeakably radlnnt. . . .
It wero worse than a waste of time
to attempt n portrait of her as she
seemed to hlra. Seen through her bus
band'J eyes, her beauty was incompar
able, Immaculate, too rare and line, too
delicate a thing to be bodied forth In
words, dependent upon tho perfection
of no single feature. Not In her hair,
fair as sunlight on tho sea, not In her
eyes of autumnnl brown, not In tho
wonderful fineness of her skin or In
the daintiness of her features, not la
the graclousuess of her body, did he
find tho beauty of her that surpassed
expression, but In tho lovo sho bore
hlra, In tho sweetness of her Inviolate
soul. In tho steadfastness of her Im
pregnable heart . . .
But It's doubtful If over ho had an
alyzed his passion for her so minute
ly. Mostly, I think, at that moment of
her abrupt disclosure to him, ho long
ed unutterably for her lips and the
proffered wreath round his neck of her
slim, round, whlto arms.
Yet ho would not. Trembling though
ho was, with every Instinct and every
fiber of his being straining toward her,
with tho hunger for her a keen pain In
his heart, ho held himself back; or his
conception of honor held him back.
That which ho had voluntarily forfeit
ed and put away from him for his hon
or's sako, he would not tako back
though It were offered freely to him.
"So," ho said, after a bit, shakily ;
then pulled himself together, and
controlling his volco "So 'twas your
self, after all. Beatrix! Me heart told
mo no other woman could have sung
that Bong ns yo did"
The woman dropped her arms, "Your
heart, Terence?" sho asked a little bit
terly. "What elso? Do ye doubt,, It?"
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"That," said tho musician, "Is a
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Things cost more when you call 'em
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