Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-01-17
sTHE MYSTERIES OF PARIS.
BY EUGENE SUE.
CHAPTER TX.
THE SURPRISE.


on the trunk of tree, which had been
overtwnednear a deep ditch. Suddenly
man, shaking off the straw with which
he was covered, rose out Of this eXca-
yatiOn, with a terrible shout Of laugh
ter. Maria, turning around, screamed
with alright. 1t was the Chourineur.
Don't be afraid, my dear said the
Chourineur, seeing the terror of the
young girl, who had Immediately flown
to the side Of her companion. Here
is a lucky meeting, heiu Master Ro-
doIphe you didn't expect it? nor [
neither then adding, in a serious tone,
Look here, master, do you see, people
may say what they please, but there is
something in the air-abOve-over
our heads-the good God is mi8chiev-
ous-it seems as if he says to man, Go,
| order you; for he has ordered you
here, which is most wonderfully aston
ishing! What are you doing there p
said ROdOlphe, very much surprised.
i was watching the corn for you, my
master; but thunder! what a farce
that you should come, Just in the very
environs of my cOmtry-house-hold! !!
there is sOmething-decidedly there is
something in it, But once more [
ask you, what are YOU doing there p
Directly you shall know all about it
Just give me time to take an Observa-
ton from your observatory, on horse
back. He ran towards the carriage,
then stopped, and took rapid glance
over the immense plains, and quietly
returned to Rodolphe
viii you explain to me what all
this means? Patience! patience
master-One word what clock isit 2
Half past twelve, said Rodolphe, look
inc at his watch. 'Good-we have
time; La Chouette will not be here
for a half hour La Chouette( OWL 2
cried Rodolphe and the young girl at
the same time. Yes, La Chouette.
In two words, master, here is my story
Yesterday, after you left the tavern,
there came
a large man, accompanied by a
woman disguised as a man; they ask
ed for me; l know all that. After
wardY They asked me to drink,
and wanted me to talk about you.
wasn't willing to say anything-as
you had not told me anything, except
the 'rinsing' YOU had the poHtencss to
give me. knew none Ofyour secrets !;
and even if | had known anything, it
would have been the same-it is be-
tween US, you know, Master ROdOlphe
thine till death. May the devil
burn me if | can tell why | feel for
you the same attachment that bull
dog has for his master; but it is all
the same-sO it is-it is too much for
me-I can't understand it leave it
to you.
/ thank you, my boy; but CON
tinuc.
The large man and little woman,
finding they could get nothing out OF
me, went out Of tavern, and so did |
they towards the Court of Justice,
| towards .Notre Dame. Arrived at
the end of the street, began to per
cieye that it was raining pitchforks-
a perfect deluge There was quite
near an old. halftom-down house;
said to myself, If the shower contin
ues, can sleep as well there as at my
lodgings; so crept into sort OF eel
ler, where | was sheltered. | made
my bed on a beam, my pillow Ofsomt
old plaster, and there | was lOdgeC
like king. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
we had drank together, Master RO
dOlphc, and then | had drank with tht
large man and the little woman;
mean to tell you that had my head ;
little heavy; and, besides, there i
nothing that rocks me to sleep lik
the dropping of rain. | began tt
doze; hadnOt been long asleep, whel
voice suddenly awOke me it wa
the Maitre d Ecole, who was closel
talking with some one. | listened
thunder-what do | recognise? tn
the voice of the large man, who ha
come to the tavern, with the little VIC
man disguised.
They were talking with the Maitr
d'Ecolo and La Chouette 2 said RC
dolphe, stupefed. Yes and the
agreed to meet again to-day TC
day = said Rodolphe. 'At one o'clock
1T will be in minate p AT the brancl
ing off of st Denis and Revolt Street
This very spot 7 AS you say, Mas
er Rodolp phe-it is here! The Mait1
d'Ecole! take care, Mr.. RodOlpht
cried Maria. BE calm, my dear-he
not coming-only La Chouette. :
How did this man become acquainte
with these wretches p asked ROdOlph
My faithl know nothing about tina
besides, | must have got awake ju
at the end of matters; for the lars
man spoke of ransoming his porttoli
which La ChOuette was to bring heI
in exchange for five hundred francs !;
rather think that the Maitre d'Eco
must have began by rObbing, and en-
ed by making friends That
strange My God that frighte
me for you, Mr.. Rodolphe, said Mar
Master Rodolphe is not a child, L
dear, but, as you say, it may be son
thing disagreeable for him-so he
am |.
Continue, my boy The lar
man and the small woman promis
two thousand francs to the Maitre
Ecole-to do to you'll don't knC
what; it is La ChOuette who is
come here, to bring back the portfol
and to know what they want; a
then she is to 90 back to the Mat
dEcole, who will do the rest
Maria trembled; but Rodolphe 81
led disdainfullv. Two thousand fraI