Page:Weird Tales Volume 8 Number 3 (1926-09).djvu/58

"Round and round, in a dazing but incredibly graceful dance the vision whirled."

"Tiens, Friend Trowbridge, this is interesting." Jules de Grandin passed the classified page of the Times across the breakfast table and indicated one of the small advertisements with the polished nail of his well-groomed forefinger. "Regard this avis, if you please, and say if I am not the man."

Fixing my reading glasses firmly on my nose, I perused the notice he pointed out:

WANTED—A man of more than ordinary courage to undertake confidential and possibly dangerous mission. Great physical strength not essential, but indomitable bravery and absolute fearlessness in the face of seemingly supernatural manifestations are. This is a remarkable work and will require the services of a remarkable man. A fee up to $10,000 will be paid for prosecution of the case. X. L. Selfridge. Attorney, Jennifer Building.

De Grandin's round blue eyes shone with elated anticipation as I put down the paper and regarded him across the cloth. "Morbleu, is it not an apple from the tree of Divine Providence?" he demanded, twisting the ends of his diminutive blond mustache ferociously. "A remarkable man for a remarkable work, do they say? Cordieu, but Jules de Grandin is that man, nor do I in any wise imply perhaps! You will drive me down to that so generous soliciteur. Friend Trowbridge, and we shall together collect from him this ten thousand dollars, or may I never hear the blackbirds whistle in the trees of St. Cloud again."

"Sounds like some bootlegger advertising for a first lieutenant," I discouraged, but he would not be gainsaid.

"We shall go, we shall most certainly go to see this remarkable lawyer who offers a remarkable fee to a remarkable man," he insisted, rising and dragging me from the table. "Morbleu, my friend, excitement is good, and gold is good, too; but gold and excitement together—la, la, they are a combination worthy of any

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