The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-11-09

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getting access to the bnndh Of keys on
which the successful issue their VII
lainors project depended. the midst
of all his lists and songs Reflond never
lost sight Of his purpose, and Ms schem-
ing brain never rested for q moment.
Pierre h.d shown them whtre they
were to sleep. and their practiJed eyes
had taken in ut q glance the Native
positions Of the rooms. Remond Hscer-
tanning by . couple Of appa1mtly
careless questions that they were nkely
to have clear field for their operatiAns,
since those Of the servants who slepAin
the house had their rooms in the man
sarde, while M. Dumont slept in room
which opened of the large salon. They
would have no neighbors, said the gar
rulous Pierre, because M'sieu Charles,
who occupied q room next theirs, was,
as they knew, gone to St. Maurice and
would not be back till morning. Upon
which Remond observed, with an indie
scribable leer at his confederate, that he
wished the young man had not gone. as
hewas Of a sot.iable disposition and liked
company.
Having deposited their bundles in their
room. they followed Pierre down stairs
again.
NJ. Germenil had reJoined Clemen-
tine and M. Dumcnt. whom he found
finishing their last game of trictrac. He
said nothing about his interview with
the poor woman to whom they had given
Oh hot hn ko1
see her before she left in the morning,
still believing that in the morning she
would explain all and not wishing to
prejudice any one against her.
Presently Margot herself brought in
the mulled wine which M. Dumont had
ordered. When they had partaken of it.
they went to their respective rooms aft
er exchanging affectionate good nights.
Meanwhile. Pierre, having seen that
the poor woman was safe in her room
and the front door locked, took basket,
saying he must get some wine out for
the morning and lock the cave.
At this Remond pricked up his ears
and thought to himself that his oppor-
tunity was. now come to get possession
of the much desired key.
He at once professed himself anxious
to be of use to his dear friend M. Pierre,
a gallant homme, with whom he had the
greatest sympathy, and who indeed must
be fatigued after such a busy day.
What could he and his friend do to as
sist NJ. Pierre-his friend who was also
at his servicel ;,
Oh, there was really nothing to be-
done, explained Pierre, except to fetch
the wine, and that was nothing. Well.
they would at least accompany him. He
would surely not refuse them that salts
faction.
Having taken his basket, Pierre was
about to start. but Remond, observ-
ing no signs of the keys, suggested
that his dear M. Pierre had forgotten to
take them. Pierre, however, explained
that the key of the cave was in tho door,
and that the bunch of keys to which
Remond referred contained the dupli-
Gates of those in use in case of any be-
ing lost. But" he continued, Il have
forgotten something, and that is the
lantern. The cave will be so dark at
this hour that will not be able to find
the wine without light, and perhaps
one of these. messieurs will be so good as
to hold it for me while l get what
want. will go and fetch it" he added.
hurrying indoors. r.
The word 'lost" was a sufficient hint
to the sharp witted Remond, and before
Pierre returned with the lantern his fer
tile brain had devised scheme. and in
q few rapid words he explained to his
confederate that he must contrive to de-
lay Pierre for moment so that he, Re-
mond, should get to the cave little in
advance of the other two. He had only
just time to say this when Pierre reap
peared carrying lighted lantern. Re-
mond took it from him gayly, declaring
that he would go first and light the way.
and with a significant glance at Ber-
trand he walked on with jaunty step,
humming to himself lively air, while
Bertrand, who insisted on taking the
basket, followed with Pierre.
Just as Remond turned the corner Of
the house, close to the door Of the cave.
which, as we have already said, was in
a line with the house door, the other two
being afew yards behind him and out of
sight, he heard an exclamation, scuf-