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‘ tongue. "â€" CLOSE QUARTERS ? OR. THE HOUSE IN THE CHAPTER XIII.â€"(Cont’d) “Thank you,” he replied-simply. “I certainly took every precaution that suggested itself to me. sub- sequently I was the victim of cir- cumstances. The French-speaking Turk, as I have told you, took no part whatever in the negotiations, and when he became aware of the modus operandi determined uponâ€" “By the way,” said Brett, “how did he become aware of it 2” “Oh, Mehemet Ali told him in French.” ° “Didn’t that strike you as curi- ous ‘I” ~ “Most certainly it’did. But the ' scoundrel explained it afterwards by telling me that although a Turk- ish subject, he had lived in Algiers and France since he was a child, and had quite forgotten his mother But he was employed in n. confidential position in the Turk- ish Embassy at Paris, owing not only to family influence, but to his intimate acquaintance with the French language.” . “Ah I” said Brett, “Monsieur Henri Dubois has a ready wit.” “What!” cried Edith, who na- turally enough was following each word with the utmost interest, ”do you already know his name?” “Not only his name,” replied Brett, “but his identity, Miss Tal- bot. You shall see him in another skin and without the sword-cut. It is possible, however, that before we meet, this distinguishing mark may be replaced by a fractured skull or a bullet wound.” Fairholme suddenly clenched his right fist and examined his knuckles, his unconscious action causing the others to laugh. “Is he a Frenchman, then ‘2” said Talbot. “Unquestionablyâ€"a most modern product.” “And his name is Dubois ‘2” ((Yes.’) > “All right. In future I will al- lude to him by his proper title. Well, Monsieur Deboisstrolled to- wards me with the easy confidence of a man who was sure of himself. “ ‘This affair bores me,’ he said. ‘I see no reason why I, who am in no way concerned with the Sultan’s collection of precious stones, should sit up all night keeping guard over them with these very earnest gen- tlemen here. I am going to my ho- tel. I have sent my portmanteau to the Carlton. Will you honor me by driving there and telling me something about your wonderful London as we gol’” ' ' “The man looked at me with a meaning in his eyes that conveyed the intimationâ€"- "I‘We can talk quietly in the cab, and I can explain much that| is at present hidden.’ Unfortunate- ly I fell in with his suggestions. “We crossed the dining-room to- gether. We were searched by the police in the hall, much to his ap- parent surprise, and then we drove off through St. George’s Place. “He at once aroused my curio- sity by telling me sensational de- tails of a widespread plot to de- throne the Sultan. An essential part of the conspiracy was to ob- tain possession of the diamonds beâ€" fore they had been cut, as they were an heirloom from the Prophet, and it would be a terrible thing in the eyes of the more fanatical sec- tion of the Mohammedans if they were tampered with in any way. “This sounded reasonable enough, as the same story had been dinned in my ears for several weeks. “At last we reached the Carl- ton. We got out and he paid the cabman, who drove off round the corner; then my new acquaintance explained to me that he placed no greater trust in his fellow-country- men than did their ruler. There- fore he had led them to believe he was staying at that hotel, whereas he had in reality taken up his abode in the flat of a French famâ€" ily with whom he was acquainted. If Irwould come with him for a moment he promised to place me in possession of certain documents which would render easy my expla- - nations to the Foreign Office next morning. Why doesn't she lake They stop a headache Drugglst about them. NA'riomu. Dnuo AN RUE BARBE’I‘TE , a better temper, my- dear Talhonl NA-DRU-CO Headache Wafers the dangerous drug: common In headache tablets. Ask your “I accompanied him without hesi- tation, secure in the knOwle'dge that a. strong ferce of police guarded .my. charge at Albert Gate, both 1nSlde and outsidethe house. We went to the mansions where he said he lived. The place had a perfect- ly respectable exterior, and is situâ€" ated, as you know, in a reputable thoroughfare. We ascended to the second floor, entered the flat, and were ushered by a middleâ€"aged Frenchwoman into a sort of sitting- room. “Dubois turned to a writingâ€"desk and unlocked a drawer. “ ‘Here are the documents I promised you, Mr. Talbot,’ he said: but, to my amazement, he whipped out a revolver and held it within two feet of my breast. “ ‘If you move, or attempt to cry out, you are a dead man I’ “At the same instant a domeâ€" hind me opened and some three or four persons entered. 'I was so furious at the trick that had been played upon me that Ldisregarded his throat and, sprang-at him, but he did notfire. Flinging the re- volver behind him on the writing- table he closed with me.‘ Before I well knew whatrhad happened I was tied hand and foot, gagged, and placed helpless in a chair. few minutes later, after a mutterâ€" ed consultation between my cap- tors, I was taken to the room in which Fairholme found me, and I never left the ‘place until nearly nine o’clock last night. ' “It was a most ghastly experi- ence. I would sooner die than go through it again. “If ever I get within measurable distance of Mdnsieur Henri Dubois I promise you that I will repay him with interest some of the agony he inflicted on me. I never thought I should hate 3. man as I hate that Frenchman. I do not want to kill him. I want to torture him!” This was the first sign that Tal- bot had given of the anger that filled his soul. For a moment no one spoke. Edith stifled a sob, and Sir. Hubert .Fitzjames broke the tension of swearing as vehemently as ever did the army in Flanders. “You have suffered,” said Brett quietly, “but not in vain. It is only by the manner iii which these blackguards treated you that we have obtained so much knowledge. Your captureuwas a necessary part of their scheme. I wonder now that after you had served their purpose they did not kill you. It was not- out of pity, believe me. The fact that you were spared confirms me in the opinion that the Albert Gate murders were a gigantic blunder, never contemplated by the expert criminal who planned the theft. But continue. What happened af- terwardsl” Talbot almost summoned up a smile as he saidâ€" “At last I fell asleep, dozing fit- fully at first, but finally giving way to the deep slumber of exhaustion. “I was awakened by some one shaking he, though not roughly. .It took me some time to recover my scattered senses, and at first I was unable to move, owing to‘the con- strained position of my limbs. As well as I could judge, it was not yet daylight, for the electric lamps were turnedlon, and I subsequentâ€" ly found that such rays of natural light as penetrated into my room during the day did not arrive for a considerable time. ' ‘ “Thenceforth, of course, my sole method of judging the progress of time 'was by the alteration of meals and-the difference of light between day and night. _ “Some one assitted me to assume a sitting posture, the cords at tached to .my wrists were relaxed, and I was firmly held by two men â€"one a Turk whom I had not seen before, the other a Frenchman 'whom you found in the flat. “At the foot of the bed were standing Dubois and a closely veiled femaleâ€"a young woman, as well as I. could judge, and a per- son of tall and elegant stature, who, it'would appear, spoke only French. “Dubois addressed me calmly, .“ ‘I‘hope,’ he said, ‘you are ill r.“ promptly, yet do no! contain any of 25c; 2. box. 0 CHIMCAL Co. or cannon. hurrah. 122 Wâ€" I> the state of my temper is of any material significance,’ I .ilawerc'l “ ‘No,’ he. replied nonchalautly. ‘The game is in my hands, and will probably remain there for a con- siderable period. But I do not wish to be unkind. You have, I am given to understand, a highly re- spectable uncle and a very charm- ing sister, who will no doubt suf~ for much perturbation owing to your mysterious disappearance. Now,.you may not think it, but I am a very humane ‘sort of fellow. Consequently, I am quite agree- able that you should write‘theni a brief note, omitting of course all superfluous information, such as dates, addresses, and other cm- barrassing facts, but simply telling them that you are well. I will guarantee its safe delivery.’ “Naturally I jumped at the offer. “The veiled lady supplied me with a sheet of notepaper and an envelope, and I scribbled the lllâ€" fortunate letter which was subse- quently posted in Paris and caused such a sensation. I had only cne hand at liberty. so Dubois politely offered to seal the envelope for me, first, however, reading carefully what I had written. , “ ‘That is quite correct,’ he said; ‘it will relieve their feelings and prove at the same time highly scrâ€" v‘iceable to me, as the letter \iill be posted in Parisand notin Ion- don. You see, my,dear "albot, how readily you fall in‘my plans. You are as putty in my hands. New, I suppose being a brave English- man, you would sooner have d‘ed than written this letter if you had guessed it would prove of materi- al assistance to me?” >“I fear I used some very bad language to Dubois, notwithstand- ing the presence of the lady, but he paid little heed to me, and the pair at once undertook the most curious proceedings I have ever witnessed. - “They had before them a table set out with all sortsof paint, paste and powders, such as one might ex- pect to find on an actor’s dressing- room. ' » “Setting himself astride a «hair so that the light fell on his face. Dubois submitted himself ti.- the skilful hands of the woman who forthwith began to make him up in an exact resemblance to me. Tllel right side of his face was towards me, but when, in obedience to her requirements, he turned somewhat, I noticed to my astonishment that the scar which I have inentlmcd had completely disappeared, anrl then I saw that his Turkish calliâ€" plexion had also vanished, leaving him a particularly whire‘skinncd Frenchman, with a high ('lJlOI‘. “The lady proceeded with “her work in the most business-like fashion, and to my intense amare- ment he quickly assumed a marked resemblance to myself. perhaps as would bear close scru~| tiny, but rather the effect attained. by a skilful artist in a rapid sketch, I or caught by a fleeting glance] whilst passing a mirror. “‘What is the game now?’ I cried, when the true nature of their purpose dawned upon me.. “ ‘Oh, just the same,’ replied Du- bois, grinning, ‘I merely,wish to puzzle the thick-headed brains of; you Englishmen a little more. Thatl is all.’ ' “ ‘Halloa!’ I cried, ‘you under- stand English?’ “ ‘Yes, he answered coolly. ‘It is frequently necessary in my bus1â€" ness.’ “ ‘Well,’ I said, ‘there can be no doubt that you are an accomplished villain. What you intend to achieve by masquerading in this fashion I utterly fail to understand». You can never be such a feel as to thinkl that you will be able to gain admit- i tance to Albert Gate by imperson-! ating me. Were you even to sue- ceed you would still be as far- off as ever from securing your booty, which, I suppose, is the Imperial diamond and its companions,’ “ ‘Really,’ he said, with a sneer, ‘I thought that you, Mr. Talboti were endowed with a little more intelligence than the average. Par- don, Mignon, pour un moment.’ “He rose from his chair, unfast- I’ " ‘It does not appear to inc that” showed me the diamonds which had solicitude on my part during many weeks. 7 _ “‘You see,’ he continued, seatâ€" ing himself again, whilst the lady! ‘the business has been satisfactor- tient on your account. resumed her task without a word, ily accomplished, Mr. Talbot. ‘The diamonds are here; so are you. Un- fortunately his Excellency andthe secretaries are, with the Prophet. You will, I am. sure,_y.eXpress my regrets to the police, 'to the Fore- ign Office, and to allvmoncerned, that the Sultan’s commissmnanes should have been so unceremon- iously despatched to Paradise. It was not my fault, believe me, nor was it- a-ltorrether necessary. I amIIaugh when she promises to obey in no way responsible for the bung»- Not such, y lopposrte to that which I anticipat- ened a case which he took from the breast-pocket of his overcoat, andI been the object of so much care and 1 ' Investments for the New'Vear We have to offer several first-class bond investments yielding 6‘ per cent. not, carrying our unqualified recom- mendation. \VRITE FOR FULL DETAILS CANADA SECURITIES CORPORATION, LIMITED I79 Janna Street. Montreal. . 308 McKinnon Building. TORONTO, - l4 Gornhlll. LONDON. ENGLAND ling measures adopted by my Turk- ish assistants.-_ You see, in Con- , stantinople they are accustomed to .- these drastic mcans of settling dls- - putes.’ . “He rattled on so pleasantly that . I hardly grasped the true signifi- ana a a cance of his words, so I replied with almost equal flippancy: “I will be most pleased to con- , vey your regrets to the proper au- thorities. May I ask when I shall 8601) 831’ be at liberty to do so 'I” g “ ‘Ah,’ he Said, ‘there you puzzle ‘ ‘ , 1 even my intelligence. It will eerâ€" “‘- , gainly be days it may be rafksv If: i Net Profits amounted to 18.58% in ~- ' ore vou can communlca e. w1 n , _ , , your ’friends.’ Stuck, while Liquid Assets “A sudden frenzy seized me at now stand at 4g§% Of those words, and I endeavored to . ' . . . . “ smash the heads of my two gaolers TUEaleIabllltles t0. . together by throwing them off their the Pllllllll. balance outwards, and then rap- idly contracting .my arms. Thereâ€" â€"â€" _. . upon I made another discovery. A Once more The Be al Bank of l k cord lying loosely round my neck _ y _ _ l _, was suddenly tightened, and I was Canada 15 able to report 1“ 1’33 i l thrown back choking. A fourthiForty-second Annual Statement all i. , man, of \Vhose’ presence I \Vas un‘,pr.evioug records broken. ”5 . conscipus, was stationed behind me De osits increased over $16 000 _ . and held the noose in his hands. p , ,‘ ’ ’ “It was some time before I re- 000, which brings. the total up to covered my breath or my speech. $88,294.000. Liquid assets amount “At last I was allowed to. rise to $47,738,000, being 49% per cent again, and Dub-Dis said With, a of the total liabilities to the public. "PM. gm’le Whmh was intensely 1’“ Actual cash on hand, balances on I “ETEEEIMS time Mr. Talbot vou deposit with other banks, and call should have realiz‘ed that you have loans in New Yoi‘k and London, . not fallen 511130 the hands 0f Chll‘ England, exceed 32 per cent. of the .z I (“99‘ We do not “”311 to do 3’0“ total liabilities to the public. Total Sufilgilileg‘urpizgeed’lgt;swglidhgg assets increased dllring the year our desire to quarrel with the Britâ€" " from $92,510,000 t0 $110,528,000 Net ish Government or to take the life’ profits amounted to $1,152,249, of one of its rising young diploishowing an increase of $200,913 matlsts. The dispute in which you 3 over the prev10us year qual to are unfortunately ,involved is be-g _ , tween a certain section of the Sulâ€"ils-58 per cent. on the “WWI StOCk Commercial loans . tan’s subjects and that potentatesof 3563007000- ' , himself. But really you must reâ€" amount to $59,646,000, being 67-55 coirnize the absolute helplessness of , P917 cent. 0f the deposits. ' your position. You have just reâ€"' AS W111 be seen from these com- ceived’a stern reminder. Let it be , pa’ri‘SOhS) the Bank has experienced 5 “I? .szmuzwéwu . ., were.» 9'. 4 -._-..- .. A.» .. nexsvar-Vw‘ ~:~.-...; ', . . the last, for if you, give Us anv a wonderfully PIOSPCI’OUS year. more trouble we may end a difficult . situation by effectively cutting our throat. Such an operation would be distasteful to us and most 3:35:1‘522251 tfis ylglbeggnpllegse do He Has Become Quite a Collector “I glared at him viciously. Speak Of Old Cllillfl- ' I ' i __*____ KITCHENER IN EGYPT. w; I could not, but he paid no further Word comes from Cairo that Lord attention to me, and his make-ulllKitchencr is delightng the hearts was now pronounced to be perfect of the curio dealers. scarcely a by his critical companion. day passes that 'his motor car is not “ ‘Vous C’CGS un tres bel Angla‘i39 . seem standing outside one of the , 111011 Vile,’ she C‘l‘ied, Coquetti-‘ihlvlcclebrated shops in the Muski and - 'g . setting l’lCl‘ head (in one side and'thcrcity, and there is consequently glancing fiI‘St at him “11d then at much jubilation in these quarters. 1118-” . Not that the dealers derive much . ”The cat!” cried Edith “Slleprofit from these visits, for. the ex- ; evidently thought you 80°d'100k' I Sirdar, while he knows a good thing ing, 330k" lwhen he sees it, also understands Talbot blushed and laughed atlhow to ‘drive abargain in atypical the involuntary Sllp- , {native manner. But this atten- l. “I am “Qt “951301151’313 f0? her tion from the British agent is in a ? opinions,” he said. HI am Simplyl way an advertisement for them. .. telling you what happened. and they welcome his visits, for “Dubois ’0“ the mom”, he eon- there is nothing they delight in ,_ tinned, “and returned in a few moâ€" more than dealing with a man .3 ments dressed in an English tweed who not only knows the value of suit. with my overcoat and a deerâ€" every article and can parry their stalker'cap. Upon‘my.lionor,.he tricks but also can handy words so like me that, notwithstanding}with them in their own tongue. my rage, I was compelled to smile It came as a surprise to English - at h"’“‘ Hmcaught my transient people some years ago when it was mood for an instant. , . discovered that Lord Kitchener was “Tlcns!” he'crlcd, that IS- bet- an expert collector of odd china. ter. - The surgical operation ls be- It was thought that his nature was ’2”)ng to take effGCt' You see for too adamantine to admit the the joke?’ _ r l x ' . ~ - softer alts and graces. A.ter tie a It is a somewhat bitter spooles‘china’ however, they are prepared l of humor ’ I replied. ‘Perhaps in ’ _ the futurd it may have a sequel.’ to hear 0f the Egyptian 0““05- “‘Lifo is made up of sequels,’,_.__â€"” was the airy answer. ‘Events gen-l orally turn out to be so completely 2:: - 3'. t FREE TO GIRLS . ed that I no longer give them a thought. I live only for the present, and at this moment I am victoriâ€" ous. But now. Mr. Talbot. I pur- pose taking a little trip to the Conâ€" I hope. therefore, for your sake. that the Channel will be smooth.’ it , ‘7 life‘an'charge. to any girl or young lady IT TOOK PRACTICE. ‘ I ards at 1-0 cents a set (six beautiful cards ' a . . m. Sarah .Strongarm and Tony Pin-_ ”3“” and fl“ any M '3}. and we will send you the brapelet . Liv‘hoV will sell 40 acts of our handsome Kathrynâ€"“I don’t see why they In men 88,, . - Send us your name and we will send feather wedding.” h .3 so t ey won t ‘ Adam” Hanan-WARREN co. ‘1‘ .- ~"-Wenvill give this beautiful prize. free ‘ Valentine, St. Patrick and other post need 30, many rehearsals for the The Extension Bracelet in of rolled gold on the cards. When’ sold semi “81110 K ittyeâ€"‘ ‘That’ 8 Toronto. Ont. Dept. 17. him.” '