Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-04-25

Lucca. However, that reminds me-
| may as well lock the door leading TO
the garden. Run into the dining-room !;
you will find the key on the table Don't
be long.
"Editha Edtha " cried Madame
Lucca, an instant afterward, al have
made mistake the key is in the Bar
on's study. Pshaw she does not hear
me" she continued, speaking aloud, 81
must go and fetch it myself.
With these words she left the room.
No sooner had she done so than the door
of the cupboard cautiously opened. A
man put his head out and glanced round.
Perceiving no one he instantly darted
into an adjoining chamber. The uext
instant the door was shut TO and locked
behind him But not by him BY Ma
dame Lucca When she left the room,
she did not proceed two PAGES, she stood
outside, listening. As she was in dark
ness, she could, without being visible
herself. see all that was passing in her
bed.chamber. She beheld the stranger
leave his biding-place aud cart into the
adjoining room. She glided after him,
with the steadiness Of a tigress and the
courage of heroine. The reader knows
what followed.
"AH Rappirt p caught she cried,
rushing across the rom with the key in
her hand.
f"I can't find any" began Editha, en-
tering the bed chamber But Madame
Lacca, pushing her on one side, disap-
peared. Editha looked after her IN
mute astonishment, and remained as
though rooted to the spot till her mis-
tress re-entered with revolver in her
hand.
"Oh your ladyship wha-a-at's that
inquired the maid, with strong present
ment that all was not right.
"The Baron's revolver, thank good
ness y replied Madame Lucca
why thank goodness, your lady
ship p inquired the maid.
Madame Lucca pointed to the door.
Some one on the other side was turning
the handle. Editha turned deadly pale,
and dropped the lamp she was carrying.
Presently there was a Knocking and a
voice exclaimed: "Open this door di-
rectly, Or"
The rest was inaudible. Edithas
screams drowned aught else. Madame
Lucca waited until the girls first stock
of breath was exhausted and her second
not yet arrived she then said, with com
ic severity, "Editha, if you are not
quiet / will begin by shooting you!"
Editha thought, apparently, that her
mistress was in earnest, for the poor girl
Immediately rammed large portion of
the nearest towel in her mouth, and re-
stricted herself to swaying to and fro,
and sobbing violently. The knocking
grew more and mole violent, but the
door was massive oak and immovable.
My friend" cried Madame Lueca,
in loud voice, you are Gagged. The
garden door is as tightly fastened as this
one, and the window is secured. Do not
attempt to open the latter, for | am 60
ing into the garden, and the instant | see
you try to escape, you are dead man"
Flinging open the door which lead to
the verandar she went out followed by
Editha, who in her despair had succeed
ed in pushing more of the towel III her
mouth. The noise of bolt being drawn
was heard.
Stand aside, my friend, said Ma
dame Lucca, or you are dead man J"
! A sharp report followed, accompanied
by the sound of crashing wood and splin-
tered glass.
There that is one barrel out of six.
That is merely to show you that | am
armed. You bad better remain quiet."
The visitor also was seemingly of the
same opinion, for he did not renew the
attempt. When the servants returned
next morning, they found Madame Luc-
ca quietly reading under the veranda,
before the window. They were rather
surprised, however,at perceiving that she
had six. .barrelled revolver in her hand,
and what appeared to be the end oe a
towel sticking out of her mouth, A few
words explained the whole affair, and in
about an hour afterward the would be
thief, who as it was proved, would have
been ready to turn assassin as well, was
safe at the nearest polizei bureau.
"Talk of generalship" said my
| fr end, as he concluded his story: "was
not the strategem of the jewels, by which
Madame Lucca lured the thief into the
room destined to be his dungeon, mag
nificient idea Moltke himself never did
any thing TO beat it,-Londoa Cores
pondence Home J0nraal.
Epr,e,re ar " re ErApt L. pcyrr,,,re