The banner-enterprise. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1883-18??, 1883-10-27
stairs, in more genial state of mind.

no heed of these sounds, but as the noise
prevented me from sleeping | gradually
began to grow curious to ascertain the
cause of such disturbance at this late
hour; for, on striking light and re-
ferring to my watch, | found that it was
past o'clock BY this time the visitors
had gained admission, and now recog-
nized the voice of the aubergiste speak
ing in his loud tone with some men at
the entrance to the inn. My curiosity
was aroused. The incident Of the after
noon again occurred to me; again | was
haunted by that rr3ulsive face Of the
wheelwright. Could this visit have any
thing to do with him, or with M. Leon
ard? | dressed hastily and descended.
AS | reached the bottom Of the staircase
| encountered Marie, looking frightened
and as pale as death. Without utterng
"a word she beckoned to me to enter the
kitchen. | followed her.
The fire in the hearth had burned out.
A small heap of white ashes lay there,
and behind them the blackened stone
tablet with the wrestlers struggling with
each other In their desperate embrace.
Those were the objects upon which my
eyes fell as Marie placed a candle upon
the table, and clasping her hands cx-
claimed: IN. Leonard !!
| demanded anxiousy: "What of
him ~
He is lost, cried the girl
I looked into her face for a clearer
meaning to her words. "Who says
this?'
She pointed towards the door. 'The
two who have just arrived "
"How do they know he is lost?'
"They have been dining" said she,
"at his fathers house. He had not re-
turned home when they left Fecamp, an
hour ago.
tried to reassure the girl. "But,"
said |, "that does not prove that he is
lost. There may be many ways of ex-
planning his delay in reaching home"
The girl burst into tears. mo. said
she no. There is only one Her
desire to overcome the grief and terror
which had evidently taken hold Of her was
painful to witness.
Tell me- said [, as soon as she be-
came calmcr-"tell me what it is you
fear Perhaps | may be able to render
you some assistance. =
Indeed you can, said she, looking
up gratefully into my face. "The two
gentlemen who are now in the cafe with
my father, who are resting here on their
way home, have evidently been drinking;
they cannot take serious view of the
affair. But |. who know the truth, am
confident that Faubert is the cause of this
trouble He swore to me this afternoon
that he would take the life of M. Leon
ard tonight.
uttered an exclamation of horror.
"Why," said |, why did you not men
ton this before? ?"
81 did not believe it, said she. "But
| do not doubt it now"
why not?'
81 have been to his house" SAID she.
"He is not there.
"Are you sure ?"
Absolutely"
| moved quickly towards the door.
'"The matter is serious said |; mot
moment must be lost AS | spoke, a
loud burst of laughter came from the cafe
opposite. glanced through the glass
door, and perceived two men drinking at
table with the auberglste, as though
they had forgotten the existence Of their
missing friend.
Marie looked at me in despair. ''They
do not know" said she.
"I will enlighten them at once. "I
replied, placing my fingers on the latch,
felt her hand upon my arm. mo"
said she; 81 implore you
"My father" said she, ~ am afraid of
him. II he knew of this he would blame
me. l am engaged to be married to
Faubert. @ ...
ITO that demou2' | exclaimed with
"It ismy father wish, she explained
"Oh, how | hate the man y
Another burst of laughter reached us.
"Quick," said |, some lanterns.
Leave all to me.
Assuming as calm and polite a manner
as | could under the circumstances, |
entered the cafe and addressed the two.
II understand, gentlemen" said |,
that your friend NJ. Leonard has not
returned this evening to his fathers house
at Fecamp. This fact is not, perhaps, in
itself very alarming. But | have reason
to believe he has met with foul play. If
you will accompany me along tho road
which Nj. Leonard told me he should
take to night on his return to Fecamp,
we can talk as We go along; for think
we ought to lose no time in starting on
/ this search.
The men readily agreed to my nropo-
SAL Ny manner was earnest, and my
words sobered them. They soon showed
as much eagerness to depart on the er-
rand as | could have expected
At my suggestion We proceeded on
foot, each with o lantern of his own. Ii
! had ceased TO rain; but the night was in
tensely dark and misty. selected one
side Of the road, while my companions
searched along the centre and upon the
other side. Hating constantly for con
sultation, we marched in a line, flashing
our lanterns at every point and at every
object 10 our course. 4
After had briefly related TO these
two friends what had seen and heard at
the inn, we spoke no word except when
we stopped to examine spot IN the val
lev or on the slope, when one Of us never
failed to shout out Leonard in a loud
! I'M 4 Il