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¥ 'Here is my case,' he sai Re isd OR, THE HOUSE IN THE RUE BARBETTE Ne OHAPTER VI11.--(Cont'd) At last Hussein found his tongue. #1 have never met you before, Mr. Brett," he said, 'but you will un- derstand that it is quite impossible "for me even to attempt to diseuss the very interesting facts you have 'brought to my notice without some inquiry on my part, and on yours + some proof that the events con- 'cerning which you have informed me have really happened. You . see, one cannot trust newspapers. 4They get such garbled accounts of 'oocurrences, particularly of State affairs ; they are misleading--""' "Excuse me. I am sure you will admit that although I dispensed with details in my brief statement, "the facts were undeniable. I can tell you exactly how and why Me- hemet Ali and his two secretaries, together with Hussein, his confiden- tial servant, were murdered. I can tell you how the diamonds were ob- tained from the Albert Gate man- sion, and how they were conveyed to Paris. I have told you exactly the object of my visit, and I still await an answer." Hussein-ul-Mulk laughed a trifle uneasily. "I can see no harm in telling you that I am not aware of any dia- monds in which IT am personally in- . terested having arrived in Paris." "Indeed !" said Brett, leaning forward in his chair, and instantly dropping the listless air which had hitherto characterized his utteranc- es. 'That is a very curious thing, because the diamonds have been in Paris at least two days, and if they are withheld from the possession of those who employed certain agents to secure them, there must be a powerful reason to account for the delay. Speaking quite disinterest- edly, monsieur, I would advise you to inquire into the matter at once.' His words evidently perturbed the Turk. "Will you objeat,'"' he said, 'if 1 leave you alone a few minutes? I wish to consult with a friend of mine who happens to be staying here.' "Agsuredly," said Brett, 'but let me beg you to leave your cigar- ettes behind. They are exquisite.' Hisdéin-ul-Mulk had |mever be: © fore encountered such a pefsonality +, ad Reginald Brett. His eyebrows "became perfectly oval with surprise and admiration for the man who could thus juggle with a dangerous . gitnation. ) : ... when we. have. concluded this most interesting conversation I hope you Iwill leave 'mé your address, so that I may have the extreme pleasure of sending you a few bundteds."' Then hei quitted the room. : He: . was absent, fully five minutes. On his return he said "In the opinion of my friend, Mr. Brett, it is impossible for us to do anything at' the present moment. / We must inquire; we 'must verify; we must consult others. You will eee that thie negotiations you have undertakén require. on/-our part some display of the extreme deli- cacy and tact in which you have given ug 80 admirable a lesson. Sup- pose, now, 'we agiee 6 meet hers, agin Yomiorrow at the #amé hour. Amr 1 to' inderstard 'that what has transpired this moraig 'remaing,' we will not say a secret, butia: myth; a merd idle phantasy as between you and med 1 fori Laas "That is precisely my. idea,' said Brett. v {One hates to. mention such a brutal word as 'police' in an af- _ fair demanding finesse. . Personal- "ly 1 hate'the blunderers. They rob life of its charm." They have abso- Intely no conception; of art, = Ro- mance with. ean. end only in on onal servit or in. the gallows. elieve me, Hussein,'I am very dis- creet. In soinute he: was stand- ing Re ute ios gen: .eroug draughts of the keen air of is i ; ; ds Yondé¥ How. much my life was | living the first five min- fh 4 Yek 778d hd to himself; and then ay to the telegraph of "despatched "the fol- 4 ABTRDGES 2 i the: Enthof 5 A {Rtn op 12a "and | alone, too Tsu't ft 'will certainly be some inquiries should proceed." Tn' pa . ' on bration | al) minor ils sible concerning def 3 any straining of which might, b, circumstances, ome useful, He retired to his hotel and jotted down some notes of this conversa- tion. Whilst engaged in the task a telegram arrived from the Earl of Fairholme announcing that noble- wan's departure from 'London by the afternoon train service via Bou- logne. . Punctually at the time appointed the early reached the hotel. He was all eagerness to learn what had happened since thev parted in London, and why Brett had so sud- denly summoned him to Paris. "T really have not much definite information,' said the barrister. "Thus far I am building chiefly oo, V€ surmise, but I have undoubtedly come into contact with the persons who organized and planned, if 'the of the Rue Bar o'clock Bre they | whilst Fairholine took outside.' : The. barrister 'was J smiling. complacence Mulk. On this oce ducted to another ; and he promptly noted dows looked out to. the 'building, whereas his ] he could survey the street. "This promises badly," said Br to himself, but he betrayed not th slightest unwillingness. "to fallvin with the arrangements made fs reception, and lounged back in a comfortable chair so easily that not even the quickswitted Turk suspect- ed that the barrister's hip poekeb. contained a very serviceable revol- Ir. Hussein-ul-Muck commenced the conversation. "I have,"" 'he said, "a couple of friends here who. are did not actually carry out the raid interested in the matter you were on the Albert Gate mansion.' "Then you have news of Jack?' broke in Fairholme excitedly. "Not exactly. AN I can do at present is to assure you that the scent is hot, and we may run our; quarry to earth some few minutes| after eleven o'clock to-morrow morning."' "I am jolly glad that there is a chance of my being useful in this matter," eaid the early gleefully. "Yes," replied the barrister. 'I have been revolving in my mind the possibilities of to-morrow morning, and you must play an important part in what, by chance, may tura out to be a melodrama. Now; lis- ten to me carefully. In the neigh- borhood of the Porte St. Martin there is a street known as the Rue Barbette. At eleven o'clock to- morrow 1 go to the house No. 11 in that street, and you will accompany me as far as the door. It will be your duty to stand outside and take pote of all persons who enter or leave the house once I have dis- appeared from view in the interior. You will maintain wdtéh until 11.30. If at that hour I have not rejoined you, maké your way 0 the mear- est policeman, and tell him? that you 'have good reason. to believe that a friend of yours has dither been rdered or suffered ions petrsonhl injliry in a room of the second story of the house: in ques' tion. . You will then, in company with 'the 'policeman; come rapidly to the apattment I. have. ind ated and demand an immediate entrance necessary burst Open." TEI ESI Rh "And what then 7' "gasped "the amazed earl.tt 1) Ta "I really don't 5 imperturably, It 1s possible you may find my gory corpse in 'one of the innet rooms. "The best I can hope for is a prisoner, but I'fully expect tobe seriously injured at the very, least." "But look here; Brett; are you doing: the right thing in this mat: ter? Why on earth ould you run such an awful risk, and take it possible to obs tain some trustw e 'me 'go' into' the 3 itl A Don't you see, old ch ; of us might. ake show if violence is atten 13. man -hatn't: much chance.' jx The barrister. cut. short. his friend's protestations. - "1 sent for you, | he said, 'because I felt" cf trust you:to obey my 'instructions implicitly. "Tf 'my visit*fails; there stabbing, 'or "perhaps @n- 'attempt may be made to-keéep/me a prison- er. This latter cventuslity renders the presence of the pulice;essential. No matter what has me they will, with your assistance, be able to take up the inghiry ex- actly where T leave off. notebook here, 'which I'am placing in & locked drawer'!--and he:suited| his: aétion -to' the words-- 'yon: will find details of all that L have done up ta the present moment, togataer with the lines along. which futuro ~~ laf, yon will find an élaborati ich 1% expact to g the door], know," paid Bret} that) I shall be simply | | said Brett, speaking with a slight Tord Faixboldie,}. © at T oduldd, ghooting' or | "In 'this good 'enough to mention to me yes- terday. With your permission will introduce them,"' and he threw open another door with a gingle Turkish word which "Bret Jimag- ined was an invitation te enter. Two men came from an adjoin- ing room. They were Turks-- swanthy, evil-looking customers, but well dressed, and evidently per- sons of consequence in their own country. The new-comers eyed the barrister curiously, and: with no very friendly intent. A brief conversation in Turkish | resulted in Hussein-ul-Muck ad: dressing Brett. "I must apologize for the fact that my friends. here only speak their own native tongue. Before we pro- seed to business I' wish to ask you |a few questions," "Certainly," said Brett; 'go ead." , "You mentioned to me yesterday that you had no desire to involke the aid of the police in prosecut- ing the inquiry which interests you." a nite right," Said Brett. "May I ask if you have adhered to that inteniond : "Absolutely." "Well, = Mr.--Mr."~Hussein-ul- Mulk consulted a visibing. card + "Mr. Reginald Brett, I think is your name? It would: be idle op my part to compliment you on your 'bravery, but it-would be stil futile; you hos HL al pot quibb] , about words. © fact: yenai b Mr Brett, that you have needlessly thrust yourself into 'ghardcter that all interlopers 'ean 'be 'dealt with "only in one way: ily. \ i Gad "Yes," said the Turk, 'I deeply regret, $0. inform you that you have, Tr guessed .the; object of, remark with the singular skill 4 h al ready betrayed jn reaching the : isting position. I can only add th 'gm' Syrpriséd that the 'sam did 'not influence you'to avoil ing ron us" the 'only "altern Ye 1 ke #4 4 y © "Am. 1:40 be killed: at. ofice affectation of boredom. ir. (Te be continued.) . 3 mire . They, turned. to enquire ofhets, before. them had gon Then quickly replied their guide happened, to |" fi Phe 'Surface of peat 1 1 Might tell of'defeat; «: yulv While w PavYe there se off ther guide kne Youl. {16 more clearly? Is' that T should 'he kept an 'énterprisd of such' 4 desperate |' 5 r his | con and wie neighboring forest while tk stircken passengers wait for 1|to set the engine driver free. ~~ In future only mails and smallj sums of .money be sent by ordinaty trains. - Private banks. will be 'able to hire accommodation in the armored trains. They will!' 'begin to run #1 a couple of months] time. 3 eet rie THE TEA PENALTY. © 4 l4 A Strong Man's Experience. Writing from a busy. railroad! town the wife of an employe of one of the great roads says: "My husband is a railroad man who has been so much benefited by the use of Postum that he wishes. me tq, express his thanks to yo the good i has done him. | His waking Jhonts are ake up with s work, and he" has no ti to write himself, re 'He has been a great tea drinker all his life and has always liked it strong. v6 ! ie "Tea has, of late on him like iphine does upon most people. "At first it soothed him; but only for an 'hour or so, then it began to affect his nerves to' such 'an extent that he could' not sléep at night; and she 0 to his La NET hed and miserablé from the loss of rest. This condition: grew. : constantly worse, until his friends persuaded nenihe.age, to. quit stum. 1 . ppb ats Ne . h Sid the Tirk, Cl evening 'meal; Then; 'ney ho will drink nothing slated 0 e. Ih: k "His condition iis so.wonderfully roved hab; he Saud. hot; be "You kill them," said Brett air-| PAE efreshing CMY 4 14iHe owes 'all this t6 Postum; for 'hé ins titken no medicine and made] Hi n ox y+ 7 fo give up ig dole, i and sirength."' |" 1 Gah 3 i od iv i on, C| LR Toy, -n 3 The Cana