Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-01-17

lying there were only hshlng- SmackS, al
belonging to the village. No strange vessel
was seen along the coast recently-certain-
ly during that day.
Lydia realized that the search was hope
less.
The abductors might have gone to st.
Malo; or they might have taken the opposite
road leading along the western coast Ger
tain it was that men who so cleverly
planned and so slSillfuIly concealed their
plans would by this time have made good
their escape.
1t was now long after nine o'clock, and
Lydia's carriage had arrived. All she could
do was to go back, so she wrote a hurried
note to the head of thu Police department at
st. Malo, and another to the chief police of
fetal at st. BrieuX, stating elearly and con-
cisely all she knew about the matter; giving
descriptions Of the stranger, the hunter,
and the Princess herself, and setting forth
her own views Of the matter.
These notes were Immediately dispatched
post-haste to both cities, while Lydia re-
turned home.
Passing once more through the village of
Y. she found the place ablaze with excite
ment. Around the inn was gathered large
crowd. Baudray the landlord, saw Lydia's
carriage driving by, and ran out toward it,
holding an envelope in his outstretched
hand.
Said he:
''My little girl has q number of pet doves,
which she always shuts up in the dove-cote
at night. She missed one this morning, and
thought it had been killed; but few mo-
ments ago she heard tapping at her cham
Der window, which looks over the roof of
the porch. 1t was the lost Bahia Tutoring
at the window-pane, and apparently cx-
hausted. This little note was fastened to
the bird. 1t is addressed to Chateau Dor.
Lydia tore it open. 1t ran thus:
agreeable to our promise we send the
first message Naturally, the Princess was
somewhat alarmed at the outset, but has
quite recovered from the shock, and, al
though failing to discover why she should be
held in durance vile, is reasonably happy
and perfectly well, as a hearty meal she
has just completed, can testify. Moro
anon"
If not so worried about her friend, Lydia
would have laughed outright. The idea of
purloining Princess, and afterwards send
ing comforting notes in this chatty, conf
dental manner was extremely absurd and
well-nigh incredible However, here was
the note, and no doubt Natalie was safe.
Lydia breathed more freely, and actually
began TO almost enjoy the novelty of the
situation. She felt inclined to lie on her
oars, as it were, and await the next devel-
opment in the case.
'Who could have stolen the pigeongn
asked she of Baudray. "Who has gone
away from the innl
my only guests who have left are Mon
sieur Fairfax and Monsieur Oxford and his
valet Monsieur Fairfax left two days ago,
md OIL
day. Monsieur Oxford and his valet left
last night, and after they had gone, my
little one counted her birds and locked them
securely in the dove-cote. They were all
right in number last night, and this morn
ing the door was still locked; but yet one
was gone"
The mystery began to deepen.
(Ah, clever Fairfax. Observing that an
ordinary paddock secured the door of the
dove-cote, on the morning after the ball at
the Warehouses;, when he arose SO early
he experimentedsw with his bunch of KEYS up
on the lock, and found one that would I'M
lock it. Driving through the village with
Dick two nights afterward, he paused be-
fore the inn, and requested Dick to hold the
reins moment Richard, now having
learned to acquiesce, did as he was told,
and asked no questions. Jean, the watch
dog, was inclined to bark, but recognizing
Fairfax's voice, approached the latter, yHag-
ging his tail propitiously. From a capacious
coat pocket Fairfax produced little basket,
aud, unlocking the door of the dove-cote,
quickly seized the first inmate upon which
he could lay hands, and thrus, it into the
basket. Jean looked on with interest. i'm
agining 1t might prove a meal for
him. Fairfax flung him some tid-bit FROM
his pocket; the dog took it, and lay down
contentedly to eat it. Every one was asleep,
and the pair departed as they came-unoo-
served.
Lydia drove toward the chateau once
more, and for the first time became aware
OF the fact that she was extremely hungry,
having eaten no dinner.
Over hsstily-preparcd tea. she and
Madame X. discussed the situation, and
both came to the conclusion that there was
really nothing to be Done.
Meanwhile, the surrounding gentry-yyho
had but just heard the news-from all
sides were beginning TO flock towards the
chateau. The two ladies found themselves
holding an impromptu soiree.
BY virtue of his age and Natalie's friend
ship for him. the old Marquis was spokes-
man Of the party, and, although there were
as many opinions as people present, he,
after perusing the several notes, and learn
ing every thing from Lydia, succeeded in
convincing all assembled that nothing could