The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-11-22
CHAPTER XIV.
A DEED OF BLOOD.

of Les BOns Amis-a silence unbrOken
saved by the hoarse croaking of the bull
frogs in the marsh away beyond the
cornfelds.
It was a world in miniature-a very
microcosm-that peaceful village inn,
for within it's walls this summer night
every phase Of human life was repre-
sented. Faith, hope and charity dwelled
there with joy and love, while beside
them were shame and despair, with
greed and theft and stealthy footed MUIR
der.
The moon was high in the heavens, her
wan face pale with the scenes Of misery
and crime on which she had looked that
night and of which she was to witness
yet another.
Within the house every one was asleep
save Remond and his confederate. They
had spent some time in oiling and clean
ing the key, which had apparently not
been used for some time and now were
quite ready for their villainous enter
prise. They had decided to wait till half
past II, and as the sound of the church
clock Ginning the appointed hour rang
out clearly across the stiffness of the
summer night they silently arose and
left the room. There was no need to
speak-even had not every word been a
danger. They knew what they intended
doing, and words were superfiuous. It
had been decided that Remond should
unlock the door, as that required steady
hand and cool nelves-the least jar in the
lCck might lose them all-and so these
two i, omened figures glided along the
corridor with nOiseless footsteps, look
ing like two foul birds Of prey in the oc-
casional glimpscs of moonlight which
fell across them from the small easement
windows
AS they passed the door Of the room
where Marie was. they paused and lis
tened anxiously. 1t was important she
should be asleep. They were soon reas-
sured by her regular breathing and per-
feet stiffness. The poor hunted creature
had for time escaped from her troubles
in the blessed forgetfulness of sleep.
They had not long to delay at NJ Ger
menips door. They quickly slti'.cl
themselves that he was asleep tn
went to work at once. Bertrand took
from his pocket a very small dark la2-
tern, such as is used by burglars, and
turned the light so that it fell directly
on the keyhole, while Remond ascertain
ed by gently inserting straw into the
aperture that the key had been removed
from the lock. Poor M. Germenil had, in
fact, got out of bed to do this which he
had first forgotten, with that mistaken
idea which so many people have that it is
safer to take the key out, and it now lay
beside his black pocketbook, one corner
of which peeped from under his pillow.
Poor, i'll fated, kind hearted M. Germe-
nil, those dread shears will soon be
closed!
Well, the lock being empty, Remond
skillfully and noiselessly inserted the key
he carried. A moments pause, and the
strong, steady, practiced hand of the
robber turned it. Another moments
pause, and turning the handle he gently
pushed open the door, and the coveted
booty was at length within their reach.
Remond now, with the same nciseless-
ness. and skill, took the key out of the
lock and shut the door again and locked
it so that if by chance any one should
pass there would be no sign Of disturb
ance. He was an old hand at this, and his
was no slovenly work.
AS had been already arranged. Der