The Grenada gazette., 1888-01-14

really come to an end. I suppose. sai'
the robber, quietly: "How un.ortu
, nate! 1t has afforded me infnit
amusement" And turning into by
path. he also directed his steps toward
; the castle. e..
i Breathless. the Marquis arrived q
the house, but finding the Count alb
sent. proceeded as quietly as he coult
to the saloon, where . number of hi
acquaintances were assembled arount
the hostess, who was gracefully doin.
the honors Of the house.
Although carefully repressing,all al
lusion to his recent adventure, II coult
not escape remark upon his abstractet
silence, and some joked him upon hi.
humor; but he could only cast sad
compassionate glances toward the
Countess, as she chatted gayly, utterly
unconscious of the cloud above her.
! Ringing at last for u servant, she in.
quired if her brother, the Count, had
yet returned from hunting, and receiy.
ing in reply the information that he had
but just arrived, and had gone to his
room, leaving his excuses on the plea
of severe headache. An hour later
Count de Saillant returned, and had
scarcely finished his cordial greetings
when the Marquis requested an inter-
view, and the two withdrew to an ad-
joining room.
"Now, what is it, my dear Charras?''
inquired the Count, serenely; ''it APP
pears to me you look somewhat down
hearted. :"
"And truly, my dear friend, have
sufficient cause to look so" replied the
Marquis, sadly; "for it grieves me in
expressibly to be the bearer of bad
news"
''Then, for heavens sake, Charras,
don't keep me in suspense; out with it
at once!' cried the Count.
"Not two hours since, while riding
through the forest, I was attacked and
robbed; was forced to surrender my
purse to preserve my life.''
upon my word, I am truly sorry to
hear that you, too, have been subjected
to this villainy on my grounds, ex-
claimed Saillant; "but Others have
been likewise unfortunate, and | hope
your loss has not been great"
"And do you suppose that I am
grieving for few pieces Of gold?" in
terrupted his friend. "My dear Count,
the worst is, I have discovered the
bandit"
"What! you have recognized himp
That is, indeed, good luck. Now, then.
the bold rascal will be secured, and at
once brought to the gallows. l will
Immediately"
mo, no, my dear friend, do nothing
yet, interrupted the other; ''this affair
must remain secret, in order to avoid,
Impossible, the disgrace of highly es-
teemed family. You have not yet
learned the name Of the bandit
swell, who is itp'' demanded his
friend.
at is-''
why do you hesitateP 1t is not-I
trust"
The Marquis came nearer. "Alas!"
said he, "your worst fears are correct;
the mysterious highwayman is none
other than your own brother-in-law,
the Count de Mirabeau.''
Count de Saillant became deadly
pale.
''Ha! the scoundrel!" he murmured;
"has it come to thisP You are sure,
Marquisp"
"Only too, sure, my poor friend"
"You recognized him beyond all
doubt?"
Beyond all doubt; as he stopped to
take the purse the mask fell from his
face. and in the moonlight could not |
fail to recognize the young Count"
"Did he perceive that you knew
him?'
Undoubtedly; spoke few threat
ening words to him that must have con-
vinced him of it,
"What did he do then?"
"He coolly laughed, and aimed at
me again with his gun, but escaped.
He arrived at the castle a half hour
after did, and. l hear. has gone at
once to his room"
"You have spoken to no one else Of
this?" asked Saillant.
"No one."
"The villain!" cried the Count, be-
'ide himself with rage. "But he shall
not escape punishment; he shall be at
,nce apprehended and imprisoned for
lie, that no further disgrace may be
'rought upon his family"
The Marquis merely bowed a silent
'pproval, adding, compassionately: II
will go back to the company, my friend;
t is best that no unpleasant sensation
'e excited till the matter il further in
'estigated." Il
you are right, my good Charras,"
eplied the Count; "and l will 90 at
nee to the wretched man,
l.