The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, February 29, 1912, Page SIX, Image 6
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SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER I.?The story opens at
Monte Carlo with Col. Terence O'Rourke
In his hotel. O'Rourke. a military free
lance and something of a gambler, is
dressing for appearance in the restaurant
below when the sound of a girlish voica
singing attracts his attention. Leaning
out on the balcony he sees a beautiful
girl who suddenly disappears. He rushes
to the corridor to see a neatly gowned
form enter the elevator and pass from
CHAPTER II.?O'Rourke's mind la
filled with thoughts of the girl, and when
he goes to the gaming table he allows nis
remarkable winnings to accumulate indifferently.
He notices two men watching
him. One is the Hon. Bertie Glynn,
while his companion Is Viscount Des
Trebes. a noted duelist. When O'Rourka
leaves the table the viscount tells hlin he
represents the French government and |
that he has been directed to O'Rourke as
a man w'10 would undertake a secret
mission.
v. CHAPTER til.
r- if**'"" -. a
A As
he stepped out of the lift Colonel
CRourke remarked & light In his
room, visible through the transom
orer the door.
"The ?emtne de cbambre," he1
thought. "Sure and the poor thing's !
still busy trying to clear up. , , 1
t To the contrary, he found the doer
fast. " 'Tie careless she was to leave i
uuati; ttivvt UM*4 ? w.~ ?
addresses?"C. of lime. O'Rourke, Hotel
CirJJon, London," The London
postmark was indecipherable. . . .
* He found himself trembling violently.
By one hand alone could this
have reached blra, since the post had
not brought It to Monte Carlo. . . .
He recalled that woman's voice which
had so stirred him, the woman of the
Casino whose bearing had seemed to
him so familiar. . . .
Some one tapped on the door; he
Bmotbered a curse of annoyance, and
went to answer, thrusting the letter
into his pocket.
A page announced Monsieur le
Comte des Trebes.
"Show the gentleman up," snapped
O'Rourke. He was about to add, "in
~ SB!
The Frenchman Rose, Offering Him
the Envelope.
Qve minutes," when Dee Trebes himself
appeared.
"Anticipating that message, monsieur,"
he said, moving into, view
from one side of the door, "I took the
liberty of aooompanying this boy. I
am late, I fear."
OTtourke forced a nod and smile of
welcome. "Not to my knowledge," said
he.
The Frenchman consulted hit watch.
the light on," he observed, fitting h!s '
key in the lo?k, ...
thoyghtTes^'in that one way, the '
woman had fulfilled the letter of her '
word in the other. It was with comprehensive
relief (since he anticipated
a caller) that he found the room once
again presentable.
But one thing surprised him; and
more surprising still was the fact that
his ordinarily Indifferent eye should
have detected It at the first glance.
He had Indeed hardly entered before
he became aware of a square of white
paper tucked In the corner of the bureau
mirror.
/llrrlo nnw'" Vio ppontnd It
"That's curious. . . . Could one of
me many admirers have bribed the
femme de chambre id bring a note to
me?" He chuckled, holding to the
light a much soiled envelope, grimy
with the r.:;-.:-ks of many fingers, plastered
with stamps and black with
postage marks and substltate addresses,
having evidently been forwarded
over half the world before it
reached the addressee: who was,
U a bold hand, "Colonel Terence
O'Rourke."
He whistled low over this, examining
it intently, infinitely less concerned
with Its contents than with the
manner by which it had reached him.
The first postmark seemed to be that
of Rangoon, the original address, the
Cercle Mllltalre, bis club in Paris.
Thence, apparently, It had sought him
In G&lw&y, Ireland, Dublin, Paris again,
awJ flwallv half a HnTPfl nthpr
'Ten n-.lnutes late, monsieur; It Is tec
past midnight"
"Then," said O'Rourke, "the top o
the morning to ye. Enter, monsieur."
He stood aside, closing the door be
Qim his guest. " 'Tis no matter; 11
t thought ye punctual, 'tis so ye are
to all Intents and purposes. . . ,
A chair, monsieur." He established
Des Trebes by a window. "And a cigarette?
... A drop to drink?
... As ye will. . . . And since
tis to talk secret business that we're
here?would ye like the door locked?"
"That is hardly essential!" Des Tre
bes reviewed his surroundings with
ewift, searching glance. "We are at
[east secure from interruption; one
could ask little more."
"True for ye." laughed O'Rourke. He
moved toward the alcove. "Now first
3t all I'm to submit proofs of me identity,
I believe," he added, intending to
out of his trunk a dispatch-box
containing his passports and other papers
of a private nature.
But Des Trebes had changed hi?
mind. "That is unnecessary, monsieur.
Your very willingness Is sufficient
proof. I have your word and
am content"
"That's the way of doing business
that I like," assented O'Rourke heart11
v warmine a little to the man as hs
turned back a chair facing the vicomte.
"Besides, I quarrel with no
man's right to be reasonable. . . .
And now I'm at your service, monsieur."
Des Trebes, lounging back, knees
crossed, thin hlte fingers Interlacing,
black eyes narrowing, regarded
the Irishman thoughtfully for a moment.
Abruptly be sat up and removed
from an inner pocket a long
thin white envelope, thrice sealed with
red wax and Innocent of any superscription
whatever.
"Are you prepared, monsieur," he
demanded incisively, "to play blindman's
buff?" "Am
I what?" asked O'Hourke, startled.
Then he smiled. "Pardon; perhaps
I fail to follow ye."
"I mean." explained the vicomte patiently,
"that I have to offer you a
commission to act under sealed orders"?he
tapped the envelope?"the
orders contained herein."
"And when would 1 be free to open
that?"
rAs soon as you are at sea?away
from France. Monsieur."
O'Rourke considered the envelope
doubtfully. "From you. monsieur?from
the Government of France, which you
represent," he said at length, "yes;
I will accept such a commission.
France," he averred simply, "knows
tt Tvnn'iln't .iskinc mp to do
anything a gentleman shouldn't."
"You may feel assured of that."
agreed Dea Trebes gravely. "Indeed, I
venture to assert you will find this?
let us say?adven'ure much to your
liking. . . . Then you accept?"
"One moment?a dozen questions,
by your leave. . . . Y.'hon n: .^t I
start V
"Tomorrow morning by the Oote
d'Azur Rapide, at ten minutes to
eight."
"And where will I be going?"
"First to Paris; thence to Havre;
thence, by the first available steamer,
to New York; finally, it may be to
Venezuela, monsieur."
"Expenses?"
"I will myself furnish you with funds
sufficient to finance you as far as
New York. There our consul-general
will provide you with what more you
may require. It is essential that your
connection with this affair shall be
kept secret; should you draw on the
government in this country, it would
expose you to grave suspicions, per.bays
to danger."
"I understand that," assented the
Irishman. "But to obviate all danger
of mistake, would it not be well to
have one of your trusted agents meet
me on the steamer and provide me
with whatever ye figure I might require?
Tis barely possible your consul-general
might not recognize me in
New York. Why should he? I never
heard his name, even."
Des Trebes meditated this briefly.
"It shall be as you desire, monsieur. It
shall be arranged as you Buggest."
"Finally, then, what is to be my
recompense?"
"That must depend. I am authorized
to assure you that in no case will
you receive less than twenty-five thousand
francs; in event of a successful
termination of your mission, the reward
will bo doubled."
" 'Tis enough," said O'Rourke with a
6igh; "I accept."
The Frenchman rose, offering him
the envelope. "You must pledge your
self, monsieur, not to break these seals
until you are at sea?"
"Absolutely?of course." O'Rourke
took the packet, weighed it curiously
in his hand and scrutinized the seals.
He remarked that they were yet soft
and fresh; the wax had been hot within
the half hour.
"I will do myself the honor of meeting
you at the train to see you off. monsieur,"
said Des Trebes. "At that time,
also, will I provide you with the funds
you require."
"Thank ye."
Their hands met.
"Good night. Monsieur O'Rourke."
"Good night. . . ."
Half way to the door, Des Trebes
paused. "Oh, by the way," he exclaimed
carelessly, "I believe you are
a friend of my old school-fellow, Chambret?mon
cher Adolph?"
" Tia so," assented the Irishman
warmly. "The best of men?Chambret!"
"Odd," commented the vicomte;
"only this afternoon I was thinking
of him, wondering what had beooma
of the man."
The last I heard of him, be was in
Algeria, monsieur?with some Trench
tocoe in the desert"
1 'Thank you . . On the poin
of leaving the vicomte snapped hii
teeth on a second "Good night," an<
swore beneath his breath.
O'Rourke, surprised, stared. Tin
Frenchman was standing stiffly at at
> tention, as if alarmed. His pallor was
if possible, increased, livid?his close
L ly shaven beard showing blue-black or
his heavy jowls and prominent chin
His eyes blazed, shifting from the al
cove to O'Rourke.
1 "Monsieur?" he demanded harshly
"what does this insult mean?"
"Mean?" Iterated O'Rourke. "Insult'
Faith, ye have me there."
Speechless with rage, Des Trebes ges
' tured violently toward the alcove; anc
O'Rourke became aware that the cur
i tains were shaking?wavering ai
though a draught stirred them. Bu
there was no draught And beneatl
1 their edge he saw two feet?two small
bewitching feet in the daintiest and
' most absurd of evening slippers, wltt
an inch or so of silken stockings show
lng above each.
Des Trebes' eyes, filled with an ex
pression unspeakably offensive, mel
the Irishman's blank, wondering gaze
"It is, no doubt," the Frenchman stam
mered, "sanctioned by your code tc
have me spied upon by the partner ol
your liaisons."
"But, monsieur?"
"I compliment the lady upon th?
smallness of her feet, as well as upoc
ankles so charmlnr that I cannot brim
myself to leave without a glimpse ol
their mistress' features."
Dee Trebes moved toward the al
cove. Thunderstruck, O'Rourke rap
ped out a stupefied oath, then in a
stride forestalled the man. With him
It waa as if suddenly a circuit had
closed in his intelligence, establlshini
a definite connection between the thres
?now four? ?ost mystifying Incidents
of the evening.
"Less hast* monsieur,1u he couii
seled in a voice of ice. His hand fell
wi,h almost paralyzing force upon the
other's wrist aa he sought to grasp
the curtain, and swung him roughly
back. "Yourself will never know who'i
there?whoever the lady may be. . . ,
Ah, but no, monsieur!"
Maddened beyond prudence, Des
Trebes had struck at his face,
O'Rourke warded off the blow and in
what seemed the same movement
whirled the man round by his captive
wrist and caught the other arm from
the back. The briefest of struggles ensued.
The Frenchman, taken at a complete
disadvantage, was for all his resistance
hustled to the doer and
thrown through it before he fairly comprehended
what was happening.
Free at length, if on a'.l fours, he
scrambled to his feet to find O'Rourke
had shut the door behind him, calmly
awaiting the next move.
"Haven't ye had enough?" demanded
the Irishman as the vicomte, blindel
with passion, seemed about to renew
the attack. "Or are ye wishfyl
o be going downstairs in the same
"r.s-h'on?"
( 1 " vbes drew back, 6narlinf,
i "You dog!" he cried Then abrupt
ly, by an admirable effort, he calmed
himself Surprisingly, drawing himsell
up with considerable dignity and throt
, tling his temper as he quietly adjust-J
jU/mi/Iavi a# KU rOnthf n tr On 1V
' CU I li C UiOUt UC1 VI uio vtvvu?w0. ?...
in his eyes, black as sloes and small,
did there remain any trace of his ma
lignant and unquenchable hatred.
"I am unfortunately," he sneered,
"incapable of participating In such
brawls as you prefer, Colonel O'Rourke.
But I am not content. I warn
>ou . . . My rank prevents me from
punishing you personally; I am obliged
to fight gentlemen only."
O'Rourke laughed openly.
"But I advise you to leave Monte
i Carlo before morning. Should you remain.
or should you come within my
neighborhood another time?at what,
ever irie?I will kill you as I would a
rabid cur?or cause you to be shot."
"There's always the coward's alternatve,"
returned the Irishman.
"But ye mustn't forget ye've only the
one leg to stand upon in society?your
notoriety as a duelist. And I shall
take steps to see that ye fight me be,
fore sunset. Else shall all Europe
know ye for a coward."
Behind the vicomte the lift shot up,
parsed, and discharged a single pas
seuger. As swiftly the cage disap
peared.
I Out of the corner or nts eye
' O'Rourke recognized the newcomer a?
an old acquaintance, and his heart
swelled with gratitude while a smile
, of rare pleasure shaped Itself upon
his lips. He had now the Frenchman
l absolutely at his mercy.
"Captain von Einem," he said
i quickly, "by your leave, a moment ol
your time."
i The man paused stiffly, with the
square-set and erect poise of an offlcei
of the German army. "At your service
Colonel O'Rourke," -he said In lmpet
. cable French.
But the Irishman had returned undl
,* vided attention to Des Trebes. "Mon
sfeur," he announced, "your nose an
' noys me." And with that he shot out
J a hand and seized the offensive mem
I ber between a strong and capable
! thumb and forefinger. "It has annoy
i ed me," he explained in parenthesis
"ever since I first clapped me two eyes
upon ye, scum of the earth that y?
, are."
And he tweaked the nose of Mon
sieur le Viscomt? des Trebes, tweak
ed it with a will and great pleasure
tweaked it for glory and the Saints;
carefully, methodically, even painstak
tnelv he kneaded and nulled and twist
ed It from Bide to side, ere releaa
ing It
Then stepping back and wiping hit
( fingers upon a handkerchief, he cock
ed his head to one side and admired
the result of his handiwork. "Tit
an amazingly happy effect" he ob
served critically?"the crimson blotci
t i U muKe* against the chalky complexa
i icri ye affect, Monsieur des Trebes.
1 . . . And now I fancy ye'll fight.
V' ur friends may call upon mine here
9 ' ?Captain von Einera, with your per.
n.'ssion."
( "Most happy, Colonel O'Rourke," as
st :ited the German, blue eyes sparkling
x ir. an immobile countenance. "I shall
. | await the seconds of Monsieur des Tre.
bt s in my rooms."
The Frenchman essayed to speak,
; 1 choked with passion, and turning ab;
rr.ptly, somewhat unsteadily descend*
1 ing the staircase.
! O'Rourke laughed briefly, offering
. ! the German his hand. " 'Twas wonder1
I fully opportune, your appearance, cap.
j tain dear," said he. "Thank ye from
S ; ice uouum ui me ueu-ri. . . . aqq
t now will ye forgive me excusing mei
self until I hear from ye about the af,
fair of the morning? I've a friend
1 waiting in me room here. . . . Pari
don the rudeness."
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
Wood! Wood! Wood! See
i 2-7-tf J C Kelley.
5 or 6 doses "666" will cure any
> case of Chills and Fever. Price, 25c.
* 5-4-lyr
v/va/v/va/va/v/\a/va/\a'\a/\a^\a/\a/
| Accidents Will Happen
And when they do?they hurt.
HUNT'S LIGHTNING OIL Is the
one Instantaneous relief and cure
for all wounds, bruises, sores,
i cuts, sprains and abrasions of the
l skin. It forms an artificial skin
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stops pain at once. There
! are many oils, but none like
HUNT'S. The action Is different,
and the effect as well.
I HUNT'S
1 Sdhtnind All
> ?, ?) vriL.
- I Always have It in the house.
, Take it with you when you travel
I ?you never can tell when
HUNT'S LIGHTNING OIL may be
most needed. 25cts and 50cts bot1
ties.
A. B. RICHARDS MEDICINE CO.
Sherman, Texas. I
.1 /i\ ."Vn ' a.'v a'
SOLD BY
' { Dr. W. V. Brocking'ton,
Kingstree, S. C.
Blakeley-racCullqug'h Co,
Lanes. S. C.
?' a-??swa
' | Professional Cards. |
H. G. A SKINS
Attorney-at-L aw
LaKe City - - S. C.
Office up stairs in K of P Building. !
i DR. R. C. McCABE
Dental Surgeon,
)ffice in Hirsch buiHing, over Kinjrstree
Drug 'Company's.
PHILIP H. ARR0WSM1TH
ATTORNEV-AT-LAW
LAKE CITY, - - S. C.
M. A. WOODS,
DENTIST.
Ofticm ov*r Sln^laUry Bld^<
^'PHONE NO. 62.#
! LAKE CITY, - S.C
W. Leland Taylor,
DENTIST.
Office over Dr W V Brockingtou' s store,
KINGSTREE, - S.C.
; 5-2i-tf.
M. ID. Nearn ith
' DENTIST.
. LAKK CITY, - - - S. C
DR. R. J, MCCABE,
Dentist.
; I KINGSTREE, . S. C
. I Office Next to Court House Square.
Benj. MclNNES, M. R. C. V. S.
I B. Kater MclNNES, M. D..V.M. D.
VETERINARIANS.
! One of us will be at Kingstree the
first Monday in each month, at Hel'
ler's Stables. 9-28-tf
Kingstret
CAMF NO- 27.
REUt'LAII KEVTIKtil
rlMaamt\i'^r<'
! | Visitinjf choppers co;
1 diallr invited to coin.
>^J>iSC<ctt|VS^y up and sit on a stnn;
I "WW or hams al>oiiton tl
i limbs.
>i Philip H. Stoll,
I 27 12m. Con. Com
l~|F Kofp."
j \3y--~~fr ' Kingstree Lodge
:i tffii' . ,No-.9l
nntgnrs or yynya*
" >55^ * Regular Conventions Every
, 2nd and 4th Wednesday nlg^U
Visiting brethren always welcome,
[ Castle Hall 3rd story Gourd in Building.
1 R. N. Speigner, u C.
i R. C. McCabe, K of R & S.
:kley, i
@
iskets Man ?
@
I ?:?:?:@:@ ?:@:@:@:? k@:@
L. J. STA<
?
? The Coffins and Ci
?
w offers his se
@
| Day and
^ in the
?
jS FIRST OFFICE OVER STACKLE1
?
? Your* to Se:
_
i L. J. STAC
@
The Fall Terr
KINGSTREE GRADED AN
Began
September
All dermrtment
in Good Workii
Parents who intend entering tl
will please do so during tiii first we
Patrons and friends ol the Sch<
to visit the school at an j .i.r.e.
Any further infonratic
applying to
(J. W. Swittenberg,
Superintendent.
Kingstree,
8 aL ^
R Fresh Car of Horse
v Will Arrive this1
R in and get Your <
O YOURS TO PL
R The Williamsburg: Live
IQ Kin^stree, Sooth Ca
l&oeooooooooo?xx
j Go To S
j WHEN YOU NEED ANYTHIN!
A record of more than twer
: (f "L- J Ufi'4-U n Vvnr\nV? r\f r?
Ilinu liiiii. vv iLii a uunwii ui ii
^ on hand, he is always ready f<
Also Feed and Live
L J. L. Stuckey,
NXXXXXXXXXXXXXJX
I
srvices ?
night y
? \
f'S DRY 600DS GO.'S. ?
@ 1
rve, J
:kley. *
:?:@:?:@:?:?:?:?:? j
n of the
d high school
18,1911
. <'}. |B
s are now H
ng Order. m|
t \ ^
^
. ?
ieir children ia the school (
;ek of the fall terrh.
mmmmmmk?mm?mmm?m?mmmmm?mmmmrn .
--i J
jui are curuiauy mviteu
? n
)n may be had by |
E. C. Epps, . 11
Clerk Board of Trustees- \
X- V
S. C. ;)
? .
tuckey I
3 IN HORSEFLESH
ity vears stands beice
fiorses and mules ,
or a sale or a swap,
ry Stables. .
Lake City, S. C.
.
bestI
Any Way *
Ur
You Look ^
At Them!
;s and Mules a
Week. Come Q
Choice. ft
a m r\
XA3C y
Stock Bompany a
Tollna. Q .
XXXXXXXXXXK
- -