The Redwood gazette., 1893-11-02


Oh. no. Dumont. am NOT afraid 81
such inlag ginary dangers. and / think, too,
looking complacently at his stalwart
proportions II would be match fol
any robber But he added. II win Be
glad to herslieved Of this responsibility. :
And e." said Remond to himself, with
an ugly smile. Twill be happy to do you
that serves. Perhaps my skill will prove
an equivalent for your strength"
Nd. Dunont had paused moment and
laid his hand on his friends shoulder as
he spoke these last words. and as they
stood thus Charles came out of the house
and approached them quickly.
Father. said he. think it will be bet
ter that should go myself with Picard. :
'Youl" said Dumont. why should
you go?'
Well" answered the young man,
..for one reason Picard is SO frightenc I
1T the idea of going through the fores.
alone that am afraid to trust him lest
he should cause u further delay. Be-
sides that. am SO anxious and impatient
that would wish to go with him-if it
were only that then the time will seem
to pass more quickly than if remained
here imagining everything that could
possibly Happen to delay him. 1t will be
night can he Of no use here. and am
quite sure we will get back more quickly
X 60 than if we send Picard alone.''
perhaps he is right" said NJ Ger
menil.
"But what does Clementine say?" oS-
served M. Dumont. I'VE must consult
her wishes in this matter. If she con-
sents to yo,r going, have nothing to
say against it. but of course if she OBJ
jects"-
''Oh," cried Charles, interrupting him,
"Clementine is quite Of my opinion. She
has as little confidence in Picard's speedy
return as have. Is not that so, dear
Clementine?' he went on, addressing the
young girl, who had come out of the
house and joined them just as Charles
was speaking.
1T is Charles" she replied. "You
know" she went on, addressing the two
old men, Charles is brave and strong,
not like that cowardly little Picard, and
then he will lose no time, because-be-
cause"-she added with little blush-ssI
will be waiting for him at the end of his
journey"
This last argument carried the day,
M. Dumont gallantly remarking that
with such an object in view he thought
even Picard would forget his fears.
So it was decided that Charles should
accompany the little clerk to St. Mau-
rice.
THE carriole is ready, M. Charles"
said Pierre. coming toward them. 1T
is waiting at the back gate, as l thought
that would save you a bit of round. If
you follow the lane round by the corner
of the marsh, it will bring you into the
high road to St. Maurice in half the
time"
''All right. Pierre; that's good idea
Of yours"
"Before you go, M. Charles, will you
please to tell me how l am to distribute
the rooms tonight"
''Ah!" said Charles, II was forgetting
my duties. Give Mile. Clementine the
room at the end of the corridor and put
NJ. Germenil in No. 49,
And the poor woman yonder-where
is she to go?' inquired Pierre.
"Let me see. You had better put her
in the small room near M. Germenil's."
"Bien m'sieu, No. 8, and in case any
travellers should arrive and want rooms,
where shall put them?"
''Oh! fany one should come, which is
not likely, put them in the rooms on the
entire sol, so that our friends may not
be in any way disturbed. And now l
must be off" he went on. "There is no
time to lose. We have long road be-
fore US. Come, father, you'll see me off
too. Oh! had almost forgotten. Here,
Pierre" he said, taking bunch of keys
out of his pocket, "you had better keep
these in case of need. They are all num-
bered should you want to open any of
the empty rooms"
"Bien m'sieu," said Pierre. taking the
keys.
Charles then drew Clementine's arm
through his own, and the four proceeded
to the back gate, where the carriole was
waiting, with Picard already in his place
and looking much better pleased than
when he thought he should have to go
alone. Of course there were some friend
ly jests at his expense, which he took in
very good part. Feeling quite in good
humor now he had companion, and
companion, too, who knew so well how
to use in case of need the pair of pistols
which Pierre had put in the pocket of
the carriole.
$50 you are afraid of Robert Macaire,
Picard?' said M. Germenil, looking round
first to make sure that Clementine was
not within earshot. II thought you had
more sense"
''Ah! M. Dumont, you're laughing at
me now, but one never knows what may
happen, c'est limprevu qui arrive tou-
jours."
''Such thing as a robbery is unheard
of in this part of the world" said M.
DYmont, land if Macaire did escape
from prison make no doubt the gen.
darmes have caught him long ere this.