The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-10

= A@<hAAs l1oo
below, the scraph matches was heard
and presently strtS.; Of light appeared
beneath the door.
1.-THE old man Is awake. He is up.
He will arm himself, possibly. There's
not moment 10 lose" and resolutely he
rushed into the chamber, closing the
door behind him.
The old man was leaning on his bed,
staring fearfully round the room. His
lips moved as il to call for help, but his
husky throat gave forth no sound. Then
he seemed about TO get up 10 secure some
weapon. Claude did not give him the
time. With one bound he was at his side,
threw him back on the bed, and, wrapping
him in the coveriet he twisted IL round
his neck, drawing the two ends together
with all his strength The old man
writhed and groaned under the powerful
grasp Then little by little his hands re-
Taxed, his breathing became feebler.
Then Claude rushed to the foot OF the
bed, raised the mattress and pulled out
the straw. His hands were 10 sooner in
side than they came in contact with some
thing hard he brought out the object. II
was large and very heavy bag. As he
put il on the lloor il gave n metal
lie ring. Claude opened it, and,
Just as il appeared in his dream,
II was full Of gold. Two, three,
and four similar bags were successfully
drawn by Claude from their hiding place.
He wrapped them up in napkin to make
IL easier 90 carry them away. Ii was a
heavy load, but Claude did not mind that
When the package was all made up he
opened the door and in the gloom sought
the rOad. 90
lie shook with terror when before the
outer door he perceived two fiery eyes
fixed upon him. II was easy TO imagine
them the two houor-stricken eyes Of the
old man.
Idiot that | am" muttered Claude,
with shudder at Is the owl"
Throwing the first thing that his hand
met ut the bird, he made quickly for the
door. The key was on the inside. He had
only 10 turn IL in the lock to be outside.
CHAPTER "
Claude had indeed planned his attack
with great skill, for no one ever dreamed
of suspecling him.
The assassination of old Landry had,
however, caused great sensation in the
country, and cOnjectures were rife ~ to
who the murderer was aud where he could
be found. Among the suppositions which
then formed the substance Of every con-
versation, Claude prollercd his remarks
with all the calmness OF new conner. Ills
countenance betrayed nothing unusual
whatever; it had been prepared like every
thing else. ANYBODY less cunning would
have ondeavorcd 10 turn attention toward
someone else. Not NO Claude. Ills views
wcrc naturally expressed, knowing well
that public opinion would not fail TO settle
where hc wished il. The murderer was
evidently someone, people would say, who
was perfectly well acquainted with the
ways Of the house.
"That IL how il seems TO me, certainly"
responded Claude "But," he added,
''the poor old fellow did not receive much
company"
For some time" resumed his compan.
ion. shaking his head, ''his nephew had
been paying him visits"
Francois" quickly exclaimed Claude.
Certainly he IL no friend OF mine, but
cannot believe him guilty. o, no"
And he took up the defense of his rival,
insisting at length and appealing TO the
opinion of lirst one, then another, so that
everybody naturally connected the name
Oi Francois with that Of Pcrc Landry rs
the murderer Of the latter.
And what was in reality the secret OF
this sudden reconciliation Of Francois with
a relative that lac had not called ON for a
long timer Was there no scii-intcrcst in
the matlcr2 Francois needed money 10
marry Marietta. lie had asked the old
man for IL, and. having been refused,
Francois had llksna ID by force. such
was uie outcome OF the opinions peOpio
inlcrchangcd. Tho law, though without
any other proof, could not remain indii.
icrcnt TO public rumor, which pointed
toward Francois, and the poor fellow was
arrested. While keen detectives were
thus slmying from the scent, Claude felt
perfectly at ease. No person could be
more apparently Indifferent and tranquil.
Rcmorse had not for moment troubled
that cold and hcarilcss nature
But one who bears up against great
troubles. grows weak before u scratch. A
idiling incident happened to disturb the
feeling oi security OF tho assassin Soy
ural times at night hc hal hoard strangely
familiar cries IN front OF his window. II
was the owl from the old oak One even.
ing when hU wanted TO 20 out, the bird
made a sudden aud furious assault upon
him, and It was only 10y throwing stones,
aud with great difficulty that lac could free
himself from her. Such pcrtinaciiy on
the part Of the owl in following
him, troubled Claude lie borrowed a
friends shotgun, and from h.s hali-open
door, while the owl was nying round the
house. lac fired at her twice. Both times
the bird flew away aud then came buck
again. With a feeling Of being banked,
Claude threw the weapon away. Mean
WINE Use annoyance Of the owls persist
cncy ia following his slcp,, absorbed his
thoughts lie dil not dare 10 leave the
house at night. Ills friends noticed itand
asked the cause. lie stammcrcd and hes
itatcd, not knowing what 20 say. How
could be confess that he was afraid of n
bird2 Ills friends insisted, however: and
they began TO joke him about his voluntary
sccluion.
owe shall be NJ the Cafe De L. Alouci,e
this evening NJ O'Clock. VIII Won DO
ihcrcl said fellow laborrr to him ono
day; and ~ he did not answer. "Arc Won
nlpid OF meeting the ghost Of old landry
on the roadl' asked another ia a mockinr
tone
Tho rcmark decided Claude.
81 will go, be- said
On going out Claude armed himself with
q sick. lie soon had occasion to find that
Il was notan unnecessary weapon, for atthe
dr, turn in the road the owl attacked him.
Claude made flourish with tho stitch A.,