Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-08-10
CHAPTER XIV.
A DEED OF BLOOD.

1t was now nearly midnight, and deep
silence reigned i'll and about the auberge
of Les Bons Amis-a silence unbroken
saved by the hoarse croaking of the bull
frogs in the marsh away beyond the
cornfields.
1t was a world in miniature-a very
microcosm-that peaceful village inn,
for within its 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 We're shame and despair, with
greed and theft and stealthy footed muir
der.
The moon was high in tho 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
I had spent some time i'll 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
danger. They knew what they intended
doing, and words were superfluous. 1t
had been decided that Remond should
unlock the door, as that required a steady
hand and cool nerves-the least jar in the
lock might lose them all-and SO these
two i'll omened figures glided along the
corridor with noiseless footsteps, look
ing like two foul birds of prey in the oc-
casional glimpses 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 We're soon reas-
sured by her regular breathing ana 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
menils door. They quickly satisfied
themselves that he was asleep and then
went to work at once. Bertrand took
from his pocket a very small dark Ian
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 tho
aperture that the key had been removed
from the lock. Poor NJ 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 moment
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 noiseless-
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, Ber-
trand remained beside the door to listen
for any movement and ready to come to
Remond's help if the need should arise,
What need was it they contemplated,
and how was il to be met?
The light from the easement fell full
Oh the sleeping man. He had pulled
back the chintz curtains so as to leave it
entirely unshaded, as he liked to be
awakened by the first CLEAN of morning
sunlight He was not dweller in the
town whose nervous, overweight brain
required unbroken darkness to soothe it
to rest He had gone to sleep full of
kindly, happy thoughts, rejoicing over
his daughters happiness and the. realza-
ton Of his own and his,Qld Mend,ssloHg