The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-11-17

hottCi Nouttthhb htlStll WIN tOlN 10
where you were to sleep tonight"
at is liel" bawled Langdale.
at is every word true. Were it not
true would not amuse myself by Civ
ing you useless pain. respect a mans
affections, and hold it cowardce TO tell
a man his mistress betrays him when
she is true. 1t would be less cruel to
plunge dagger to his heart"
"Ah! indeed it is," said the escaped
victim, while two big tears rolled down
his checks. Then he fell back on his
chair, murmuring to himself: "That is
the reason have not seen her these two
days gone. Oh, the vile woman! And
yet l madly loved her. She was the
only thing on earth / did love" He
turned toward Nibert, his face bathed
in tears, and, stretching out his arms at
full length, said: 81 surrender. Here,
handcuff me-"
"What sort of fellow do you take
Inc to be? Do you think / am man
to take advantage over your weakness? /?
Never! When you are calmer we'll
talk over matters"
The giant sat in corner and sobbcd
like a child.
Nibert walked up and down the room
for moment or two, then he went up
to Langlade, and laying his hand on the
convict's shoulder, said, "Come with
me, will carry you to Soliel Couchant."
Langdale sprang to his feet and said,
"Do you know where she is?'
"To be sure | do. She was arrested
yesterday, and is now in Jail. She be-
came frightened she saw herself mix
ed up in bad business, imprisoned for
the rest of her life, and she gave you up,
in order to win the favor of the prison
authorities"
The vile creature! Do you offer to
carry me to hcr?"
Right away"
"But will kill her if 1 get near her."
"That is none of my business. All l
have to do is to arrest you, and you will
jail's portal. So, if you have fancy for
killing Soliel Couchant, do not care Il
snap of my fingers. One woman more
or less in the world is MT u matter of
much moment"
81 am ready; let us be Off"
"Agreed~
They Wentdown stairs together. Lang
ladc seemed unconscious of everything.
Plunged in his own thoughts, his head
dropped on his breast, he followed Vi
bert mechanically, just as dog follows
his master. Soliel COuchant had betray-
ed him! What cared he for aught else ?
Nevertheless, when they reached the
door, the cool morning air fora moment
head, looked around, and said to Nibert
"Where is your carriago?"
"My carriage: ! don't keep Il car
riage."
But the carriage with your men?"
have no men with me-"
"YOu don't mean to say you came all
alone to arrest me?"
"Why, great heavens! man! how
often do you have to be told the same
thing? DO you think ought t) be ac-
companied by squadron Of cavalry
My dear boy, am accustomed to do my
business by myself and | manage it all
the better alone. Are you veXed be-
cause you don't see at your door three
or four detectives, with frock coats but
toned up to their chins, and looking like
undertakers: | never go on the street
with such fellows. But if their absence
vexes you, 1 can order them to be sent
around.n
"No; it is useless"
"Don't use any ceremony with me,
my dear fellow. If you desire first
class funeral, say the word; it shall be
yours"
"No, I don't want them.'
A hack passed by. Nibert engaged it.
"Get in," said he to Langlade. He or
dered the driver to go to the Rue de Je-
rusalem, drive into the courtyard of the
Prefecture of Police, and stop in front
of the great staircase.
The ride to the Prefecture was mark
ed by no incident. Langlade sat in one
corner wrapt in his own thoughts. VII
bert kept attentive watch on him, and
had one hand on his revolver to fire at
the least attempt at escape. He was
determined his prisoner should not
give him the slip at the entrance of the
haven.
AS the hack rumbled up the Rue dc
Jerusalem Vibert said, Before we part
be good enough to give me your hands. "
"What fOr""
"What for?"
"To put fetters on them"
"Oh, | will not harm anybody-bu
Soliel Couchant, replied Langlado, com
plctcly conquered, and rs gentle rs {
child.
"My dear fellow" responded Vibert
in the same honeyed tone, "since W,
have been together think have con
clusively demonstrated to you that an
|, not afraid Of you. But We shall nov
, be alone nc more. l am going to carry
you up staircases, down passages, int,
offices where sou will he met by n grea
many people who know you by sigh
of reputation, and in whom you inspir
fear, which grant you is greatly eXag
: gered, but nevertheless very serious. /
is for their sake l propose this littl
} measure Of precaution."
: Langlade rcjoined, in an ingeniou