, 1859-11-11

was not the man who did the direct work Of death.
The plot was deeper than that. or he would have
been discovered ere this So resolved to wait o
while and soc II he returned l would have fol-
lowed him il could have done it with safety; but
he might have detected me- and that would not do.
However, in less than fifteen minutes he came. He
walked now with slow, sober, and innocent air.
It seemed to say, .Ohl / haven't been up to any
mischief, as you can plainly see"
Isaw Cazaubon at his desk again, and then re-
turned to my horse. ! knew that ! had risk to
runnow but was ready for it. II the factory agent
was ct the bottom Of the crime, and meant to have
me robbed he had already set his machinery in mo-
ton, and the next development would be upon the
I road. I examined my pistols and then left town,
taking the road along the river towards Aups.
At the end Of half an hour, came to the slope
Of the Barjos mountains, and soon afterwards en-
tered the wood. now began to be very careful
and keep my eyes about me. l will not say that l
was wholly without fear for the mysterious man.
ner in which the murders had been done, verged 30
closely upon the marvellous, that sort OF superst
tious dread attached to it. Had the victims been
shot, or run through with q sword, or had their
throats cut should have felt no sort Of dread. But
this was new ground. Death had come here, no
body knew how. II might have come from an in
visible hand, and in dead silence. Yet, when
reasoned upon the subject, felt that the mur-
derer must approach very near to his victim ere
the blow was struck, since II must be some direct
and powerful agent that could cause death in such
o manner.
had crossed the little cascade Of Saint Esprit,
and was descending short, steep, hillside, when
saw boy by the roadside, at the foot Of the de-
scent, engaged in whipping mule. He was a
slightly built fellow not more than fifteen years OF
age, and his coarse garments were covered with
meal. knew that there was mill upon branch
Of the VerdOn, not far back, and supposed he
might be the miller's boy. As came nearer, /
saw q large sack upon the ground, close by where
the mule stood.
"whats the matter, my bCyi" I asked as I
drew up near him.
"This ugly mule has thrown both me and
my bag Of corn from his back" the boy an
swered.
"Are you hurtf" continued.
~My leit shoulder is hurt," said be, and can't
Lift this sack. II Monsieur would assist me, Iwoud
be very grateful"
Until this moment the idea Of suspecting the
boy had not entered my head; but the suspicion
flashed upon me now. He was altogether too keen
looking fellow for millers apprentice. He
gave me glance from pair Of quick, sharp
eyes, that meant more than he had spoken. And
then II had not been very much mistaken, had
seen him holding his mule firmly with that left
hand.
leaned from my saddle, and moved towards
the boy, being careful to watch his every move
ment.
aNow," said he, "if you will take hold Of that
end, we will put It on" He lifted at the other end
and pretended that Il hurt his shoulder; and he
begged me to lift It on alone. s.4.
1prOfessed to be willing to comply, and stopped
down for that purpose, keeping my head in such q
position that could watch him by sidelong
glance. As bent over and took hold Of the sack,
| saw him carry his hand TO his bosom, and draw
something out Isaw his dark eye flash, and heard
his quick, eager breathing. In an instant seized
his wrist and bent il upward, and as did 30, l
heard sharp report, like the explosion Of per.
cussion cap, and saw tiny wreath Of smoke curl
up from the hand held. He struggled TO free him
self from my grasp, but held him with grip Of
iron, and fastened my gaze upon him.
"Ive found you, have 1 y said, drawing one
Of my pistols and cooking It. Il will simply in
form you that am an officer Of the Prefecture,
and that have been looking for you. Just oier
Q particle more Of resistance and bullet goes
through your brain. Now givem me that weapon"
The boy was frightened, and trembled violently.
1T Is only q tobacco pipe" he said, as he
And certainly Il looked like nothing more but
had seen enough Of Il to know that evil was In
Il. Il appeared to me to be On ordinary meer-
schaum pipe, the bowl being colOred as though
BY long use, only the amber mouth-piece was mis-
sing. did not stop to examine 1t then, but turned
my attention to It's owner saw that be was still
trembling with fear. and knew that now would be
the time 70 work upon him.
"So you are selling your soul to Monsieur Louis
Cazauboni Z" remarked by way Of letting him
know that was thoroughly informed.
He started, and saw very plainly that he knew
lust what meant but be tried to recover him
SELF, and clumsily asserted that be did not know
anything about the individual l had named.
aYO1 needn't lie to me-" stenly replied, for
know all about II. Louis CazaubOn has been
watched BY me when be didn't dream Of such Q