The Port of Missing Men

bright in the t

gs are f

t in a golde

of the

urns round and

ght sinks i

eace and of

ide is

Duff

rrived at the Hotel Monte Rosa a few

he studied the condition of affairs in Vienna consequent upon the great statesman's death. Secret agents from Vienna and detectives from Paris had visited Geneva in their study of this astounding crime, and had made much fuss and asked many questions; but Mr. John Armitage paid no heed to them. He had held the last conversation of length that any one had enjoyed with Count Ferdinand von Stroebel, but the fact of this interview was known to no one, unless to one or two hotel servants, and these held a very high opinion of Mr. Armitage's c

not mistaken. When this person learned that the Claibornes had left, he would doubtless hurry after them. This is the conclusion that was reached by Mr. Armit

een waiting arrived alone, and was receive

me-tables and consulted steamer advertisements. Mr. John Armitage in various discreet ways was observant of Monsieur Chauvenet's activities, and bookings at steamship offices interested him so

e him; and John Armitage, making a leisurely dinner, learned from his waiter tha

e door, scrutinized the group within, and passed on. Armitage had carried his coat, hat and stick into the s

Helvétique, thence into the Boulevard Froissart with its colony of pensions. He walked rapidly until he reached a house that was distinguished fro

s errand. He walked on to make sure he was unobserved, crossed the street, and again passed the dark, silent house which Chauvenet had entered. He noted the place carefully; it gave no outward appearance of being occupied. He assumed, from the general plan of the neighboring buildings, that

kly, and he committed his fortunes to the bricked passageway. The rain was now coming down in earnest, and at the rear of the house water had begun to drip noisily into an iron spout. The electric lights from neighboring streets made a kind of twilight even in the darkened court, and Armitage threaded his way among a network of clothes-lines to the rear wall and viewed th

e; but he was secure from observation by police, and he assumed that the occupants of the house were probably too deeply engrossed with their affairs to waste much time on what might happen without. Armitage sprang up and caught the lowest round of the ladder, and in a moment his tall figure was a dark blur against the wall as he crept warily upward. The rear rooms of the second story were as dark and quiet as those below. Armitage continued to the third story, wher

and its steady rattle in the spout intervened to dull the sound of voices, but presently one of the speakers, with an impatient exclamation, rose, opened the small glass-paned door a few inches, peered out, and returned to his seat with an exclamation of relief. Armita

ply upon his cigarette and blowing a cloud of smoke. "If

air to hold its shape, then resumed his seat. His com

es, my dear Jules. I never have been a

ccupants. He observed the care with which the man kept close to his coat, and he pondered the matter as he hung upon the balcony. If Chauvenet was on his way to America it

ly the first step. We requ

ess. We should be fortunate if the remaining two

east. He is

he old beggar at Vienna. It is the way of a people. They like to be ruled

nd, with close-trimmed straw-colored beard and slightly-curling hair. Opposite him, and fa

et, holding his filled glass toward a brass l

work to do there. We must not forget our more legitima

e, as you know, one is never quite sure of one's self, it is pleasa

blessed with your delightful social gifts. I e

he edge of it evidently touched Chauvenet, who scow

that, if

intent on matters of state you would undoubtedly have found her here. As it is, you are now obliged to see her on her native soil. A month in Washi

an ass," ejacu

head upon a tall and powerful body, and bore little resemblance to a house servant. While

, but in addressing some directions to the servant, the blon

ou have business in America, carino. That paper we filched from old Stroebel strengthens our hold on Francis; but there is still that question as to Karl and F

I don't believe those fellows are over there. They're probably lying in wait here somewhere, ready to take advantage of any oppor

ts!" And the young man

ed his tiny

repeated Chauvenet

have never honored me with a glimpse; but

I dare risk. It is always with

troy that document. It i

dear associate. So long as we have it we are able to keep dear Francis in order. Therefore we shall h

'? My valued neck, that

lried are with

for the unknown. If you hear murmurs in Hungary one of these fine d

ed at hi

he matter of those Peruvian claims? That is business. These other aff

nterest, had been able to study the faces and learn the tones of voice of the two conspirators. He was cramped from his position on the narrow balcony and wet and chilled by the rain,

he second story his foot slipped on the wet iron, smooth from long use, and he stumbled down several steps before he re

rms that clasped him tight. In a moment he was thrown across the threshold of a door into