Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-19
truth. will proyide for Ine.

as he looked after her. His conscience pricked him, and he began to reproach himself with having been too harsh with a poor creature who was entirely at his mercy. And, after all, what harm could it do to any one to keep the poor thing one night? In the morning he might perhaps persuade her to tell him what she now persisted in concealing. So he hurried after her and insisted on her re- maining, saying he had been too harsh and sudden.
 She was at first unwilling to remain, but he insisted, and she finally consented, much to his relief. He then forced the purse on her, which she had refused, say ing she must take it as a sign of his in- terest ill her fate, adding that perhaps she would think better of it by morning and give him some further explanation. "'La nuit porte conseil,' you know" But she shook her head at this, with the same expression of sad resolve, and while thanking him for his great good ness to her and the proof of confidence he had given her still persisted in her | refusal.
 Well, well" he said, feeling strange | lv interested in her. At least, you will not leave tomorrow until have spoken i with you again?" which she promised him.
 So Marie remained at Les BonS Amis. 1 Thus Lachesis and Clothes spun these varied threads of life to a common cen | ter, while Atropos with her shears looked grimly on. She knew whose thread | would next be severed.
 In the meanwhile the strangers had been improving their acquaintance with | Pierre and watching an opportunity of | getting access to the bunch of keys on which the successful issue of their will lainous project depended. In the midst ] of all his jests and songs Remond never lost sight of his purpose, and his schem- ing brain never rested for a moment. Pierre had shown them where they were to sleep, and their practiced eyes had taken in at n glance the relative positions of the rooms, Remond ascer- taining by couple of apparently | careless questions that they were likely to have n clear field for their operations, since those of the servants who slept in | the house had their rooms in the man. sarde, while M. Dumont slept ill room which opened off the large salon. They would have no neighbors, said the gar rulous Pierre, because Msieu Charles, who occupied room next theirs, was, i as they knew, gone to St. Maurice and 1 would not be back till morning. Upon i which Remond observed, with an inde- scribable leer at his confederate, that he wished the young man had not gone, as he was of sociable disposition and liked company.
 Having deposited their bundles in their room, they followed Pierre down stairs again.
 M. Germenil had rejoined Clemcn- tine and M. Dumont, whom he found finishing their last game of trictrac. He said nothing about his interview with the poor woman to whom they had given shelter, beyond that he had arranged to see her before she left i'll 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 NJ. Dumont had ordered, When they had partaken of it, they went to their respective rooms aft CT exchanging affectionate good nights. Meanwhile, Pierre, having seen that the poor woman was safe in her room and the front door locked. took n basket, saying he must get some wine out for the morning and lock the cave.
 At this Remond pricked up his ears aid 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 NJ. Pierre, a gallant homme, with whom he had the greatest sympathy, and who indeed must be fatigued after such busy day. What could he and his friend do to as sist M Pierre-his friend who was also at his service?
 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 satis- faction.
 Having taken his basket, Pierre was 1 about to start, but Remond, observ- ing no signs of the keys, suggested that his dear M. Pierre had forgotten tc take them. Pierre, however, explained that the key of the cave was in the door and that the bunch of keys to which Remond referred contained the dupli. cates 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 al this hour that will not be able to find the wine without q light. and perhap! one of these meSsieurs will be so good Q. to hold it for me whilo l get what want. Twill go and fetch it." he added hurrying indoors.
 The word lost" was a sufficient hin
 to the sharp witted Remond, and befort Pierre returned with the lantern his fer
 tile brain had devised scheme, and il few rapid words he explained to hi
 confederate that he must contrivc to de
 lay Pierre for moment so that he, Re
 mond, should get to the cave little il
 advance of the other two. He had onl,
 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 significant glance at Der | trand he walked on with jaunty step
 humming to himself lively air, whil
 Bertrand, who insisted on taking tn
 basket, followed with Pierre.
 Just as Remond turned the corner O
 the house, close to the door of the cave
 which, as we have already said, was il line with the house door, the other tw being few yards behind him and out 0 sight, he heard an exclamation, scui
 fling noise and profuse apologies fror
 Bertrand, who, in obedience to the hin given him to delay Pierre, had intention ally stumbled, letting the basket fla and sending it rolling back little b
 the aid of sly kick. Then falling agains Pierre in his pretended anxiety to find ! again he had overbalanced that indivit nal, who found himself sitting on th . ground in most undignified way. G