The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-27
CHAPTER XIV.
A DEED OF BLOOD,

: It was now nearly midnight, and deep
silence reigned in and about the aubergs
of Les Bons Anis--a silence unbroken
saved by the hoarse croaking Of the bull
frogs In the marsh away beyond the
cornhelds.
II was . world IN miniaturs--~ very
microcosm-that peaceful village inn,
for within its walls this summer night
every phase Of human life was repre-
scented. Faith, hope and charity dwelled
there with 10Y and love, while beside
Them were shame and despair, with
greed and tAsH and stsalthy footed mur-
H@.
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 d which shs vas 10 witness
yet anothes.
Within ths house every one was asleep
save Remcnd and his confederate. They
had spent some time In oiling and clean
ing the hoy. which had apparently not
been used for some time, and now were
quite ready for their villainous enter
prise. Thsy had decided TO wait till half
past II, and a. the sound Of the church
clock Ginning the appointed hour rang
put clearly scross 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 q
danger. They know what they intended
doing, and words were supernuouA II
had been decided that Remond should
unlock the door, a. that reQuireda . steady
hand and cool nsrvcs-ths least jar In the
lock might lose them all-and 20 these
two Ill omened Agures glided along tho
corridor with noiseless footsteps, look
ing like two foul birds Of prey in the oc-
casional giimpses Of moonlight which
fen across them from the small easement
wind0wu.
Az they passed the door Of the room
where Marie was, they paused and lis
knsd snxiously. II was important she
she~ld be aslssp. They were soon reas-
sured by her regular breathing and per-
feet stiffness. The poor hunted creature
had for q time escaped from her troubles
in the blessed forgetfulness of sleep.
They had not long to delay at N. Ger
menil's door. They quickly satisfied
themselves that he was asleep and then
went to work at once. Bertrand took
from his pocket . very small dark Lam
tern, such ~ Is used by burglars, and
turned the light % that il fell directly
on the ksyhols. while Remond ascertain
ed by gently inserting straw into the
aperture that the key had been removed
from the lock. Poor n. Germenil had, in
fact, got out Of bed to do this which he
had frst forgotten, with that mistaken
idea which 30 many people have that 10 is
safer to take the key ont, and il now lay
beside his black pocketbook, one corner
Of which pecped from under his pillew.
Poor, Ill fated, kind hearted N. Gernc-
nil, those dread shears will soon DO
closedi
Well. the lock being empty, Rcmond
skillfully and noisclessly inserted the key
he carried. A moments pause, and the
strong, steady, practicsd hand Of the
robber turned it. Another moments
pause. and turning the handle he gently
pushed open the door. and ths 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
1t so that II 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 slovcnly work.
As had been already arranged, Ber-
trand remained beside tho door 10 listen
for any movement and ready to come to
Remonds help II the need should arise.
What need vas II they contemplated,
and how was 10 10 be metz
Tho light from the easement fell full
on the slesping man. He had pulled
back the ohints curtains 20 as to leave II
entirely unshadedA a. he liked to be
awakened by the first CLEAN of morning
sunlight. He was not q dweller in the
town whose nervous, overwrought brain
required unbroken darkness to soothe il
TO rest. He had gone 10 sleep full OF
kindly, happy thoughts, rejoicing over
his daughters happiness and the realiza-
liou of his own and his old friends long