The Net

ide of that intense and fastidious sort which is rarely encountered outside the oldest Southern families. He was thin, with the delicate, bird-like mannerisms of a dyspeptic

ng a little with his conscience, which had become slightly discolored and calloused. He no longer entertained, however, except by his wit; he exercised a watchful solicitude over his slender wardrobe, and his revenues were derived from sources so uncertain that he seemed to maintain his outwardly placid existence only through a series o

istinction in that he was the half-brother and guardian of Myra Nell Warren. This fact alone would have

e upon after his death, and inasmuch as Myra Nell's extravagance steadily increased as the income diminished, her half-brother was always hard pressed to keep up appearances. She was a great responsibility upon the little man's shoulders, particularly since she managed in all in

recoiled from any occupation which did not carry with it a dignity matching that of his name. Since the name he bore was as highly honored as any in the State, and since h

t when Lafayette and Marechal Ney were there. It was in this house, indeed, that he had met Louis Philippe. His grandson had such a wealth of intimate detail at his finger tips that it was a great pleasure and privilege to go through the French quarter with him. He exhaled the atmosphere of Southern aristocracy which is so agreeable to Northern sensibilities, he told inimitable stories, and, as for antiques, he knew every shop and bargain in the city. He was liberal, moreover, nay, ingenuous in sharing this knowledge with his new-found friends, even while admitting that he coveted certain of these bargains for his own slender collection. As a result of Mr. Dreux's knack of making friends and his intimate knowledge of art he did a

de toward marriage was very sensible beneath the surface, and Bernie's anxious efforts at matchmaking, instead of relieving their financial distress, merely served to keep him in the antique business. Miss Warren loved admiration; she might be said to live on it; and she greeted every new admirer with a bubbling gladness which was intoxicating. But she had no appreciation of the sanctity of a promise. She looked upon an engagement to marry in the same light as an engagement to walk or dine, namely, as being subject to the weather or to a prior obligation of the same sort. Bernie was too much a gentleman to urge her into any step for which she was not ready, so he merely sighed when he saw his plans go astray, albeit confessing to moments o

rnie seldom announced himself, being one of those rare persons who come and

ropping into one of Blake's easy-cha

But I am glad to see you at any tim

uties and responsi

Blake, "Although I'm a

ity has singled you out and evidently intends to bear you forward on her shoulders

n I am." Norvin touched his hair,

Lexington races just after you returned from Europe the second time. You were dark t

They say fear wil

lightly. "Fanc

Have you never

emselves unpleasant. But-my dear boy, you can't understand. We were talking about you the other night at the Boston Club after your election, a

dee

ething worth while. You could have gone to the legislature just as easily. But for a Blake to be sheriff! Well, it knocked us all silly when we h

re to a sheriff's

rdling tales. I felt very anaemic and

l office, even in a tough parish. I think men ought t

xclusiveness that strike

aturally lacking, and wants to acquire it. I'm interested in brave men, too; they fascinate me. I've studied them; I've tried to analyze courage and find ou

ouldn't stand what you have; why, the sight of a dead man would unsettle me for months and, as for risking my life or attempting the life of a fellow creature-well, it would be a physical impossibility. I-I'd just turn tail.

know you a

ttle thing

le were br

head like a windmill and chopping off Yankee arms and legs; nor is there anything especially artistic in two gentlemen meeting at dawn und

are not out of fashion. There is

ell, too, not to mention plug hats worn by Jefferson Davis at his inauguration. There was a fabulous hardwood king at the St. Charles whom I inflamed with the beauties of marquetrie du bois. It was all modern, of course, made in Baltimore, but I found him a genuine Sin

ld care to be Queen of the

wide. "You're-joking! Is-is there any-" He relaxed suddenly,

y. She can be Que

, of course; she'd go mad at the prospect, but-frankl

nie. I've been

it's worth any sacrifice, but-Lord! It is disgusti

ny girl to be Queen. The c

se of my even dreaming of it; I've figured over the expense too often. She was Queen of Momus last year-that's why I've had to vouch for so many Lafitte swords

have her accept,"

r his private hopes. What more natural, he reasoned, than for Blake to wish his future wife to accept the highest social h

stances, and in view o

it a privilege to lend

d never

ttle bachelor flushe

siderate of you, but-I

for he

perhaps if you didn't know us so

to Miss Warren's half-brother, Norvin continued: "Suppose we say nothing fu

ue giving bigger pageants every year. It's a frightful drain on the antique busines

ou marry?" B

lly. "That lumber king had a d

elord isn't

for a moment, and th

u know abou

e. Enough, at any rate, to real

r, he inquired, "She i

cour

don't yo

ought to, perhaps. Then, too, my situation. I h

g of yourself. There are

yra Nell, f

you owe someth

you don't talk

Myra Nell should be Queen of the Mardi Gras it would round out her social career. She will marry before long, no doubt, an

ore others must know, hence it is quite impossible

. I think you owe it to your sister to accept. At any rat

h relief upon a chance to end the discussion,

t be Donnelly. I had an appointment with

ice? He's quite a

He's a remarkably able officer-o

l be going," sai

Chief Donnelly had an impassive face, into which was set a pair of those peculiar smoky-blue eyes which have become f

he was anxious to meet you, so I a

intruding,"

me information which I don't believe Blake can give me." To Norvin he said, "I

onversation in his own effective manner, and rega

s four years ago,

r. Were you ev

ention of Sicily was like a

ily twice," h

recalled some sort of experience you had o

"Did you ever hear of a Sicilian named-Narcone? Gian Narcone?

odded s

nobleman-" He turned aga

tinello," Norvin supplied in

you must know all

amazed at his agitated manner and his evident effort to control his features. Ne

e had cultivated it purposely, for it formed a part of his later training-what he chose to call his course in courage. But this sudden pro

s cowardice was not a sick spot which could be cauterized or cut out, but rather that it was like some humor of the blood, or something ingrained in the very structure of his nervous tissue. But although his lack of physical courage seemed constitutional and incurable, he had a great and splendid pride which enabled him to conceal his weakness from the world. Time and again he had balked, had shied like a frightened horse; time and again he had ro

he had himself sufficiently in hand to talk without d

about-the Count of Martine

it quicker if you will tell me what you know. I had no idea you were

was there. He was my best friend. That is the story of which you read. Th

exclamation and hitche

Blake's charact

said the Chief, so Blake began reluctantly, hesitatingly, giving the facts

, it was Donnelly's

ve seen Gian Narcone! D'you suppose you would know him ag

d. But come, you haven'

one is in N

forward in his chai

, and stating that there are extradition papers for him in New York. The letter says that some of his old gang have confesse

t. But who is

. The letter

Blake's mind. He dared not trust

by a-woman?" he

ne of these new-fangled typewriting machines. I lef

itten, how do yo

This Narcone-he calls himself Vito Sabella, by the way-is a leader of the Quatrones. The tw

He had followed so many clues, his quest had been so

ened without a word or movement, but no

this Pallozzo gang and

ly interested

e into rivalry over the fruit business. They unload the ships, you know, and they have clash

ed, at which the Chief's eyes twinkled and once mo

with our Italian p

the city-in fact, I spend much of my time on the other side of C

ving our friend Donnelly and the rest of the city officials trouble enough

. "And about two hundred out

o convictions

nore us and ours absolutely. It's getting worse, too. Fine situation to exist in t

ow of his own home," reflected Bernie. "Has it any

ate of affairs or acknowledge I'm a poor official and don't know my business. The reform crowd has seized upon it as a weapon to put me out of office, claiming that I've sold out to the Italians and don't want to run 'em

t granting that he is Narcone, how can you get him out of New Orl

man instead of the president of the Cotton Exchange. I think you and I could clean out this Mafia and make the town fit for a white man to live in. If you'll drop in on me at e

st any Italian murderers. This expedition, which you're planning so lightly, may lead to-Heaven know

orvin: "If you think this dago may recognize

Blake and escorte