The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-09-14
Robert Macaire.
lcoxTINuRD!
CHAPTER XIV.

It was now nearly midnight. and a deer
silence reigned in and about the aubergs
Of Les Bons Amis-a silence unbroken
saved BY the hoarse croaking Of the bull
frogs In the marsh away beyond the
cornfelds.
II was o world in miniatures 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 were shame and despair, with
greed and theft and stealthy footed muir
der.
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 of which she was to witness
yet another.
Within the house every one was asleep
save Remond and his confederate. They
had spent some time In 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 a
danger. They knew what they intended
doing, and words were superfuous It
had been decided that Remond should
unlock the door, as that required 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. II was important she
should be asleep. They We're soon reas-
sured by her regular breathing and per-
feet stiffness. The POOR hunted creature
had for a 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 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 the
aperture that the key had been removed
from the lock. Poor NJ. Germenil had, in
fact, got out of bed to do this which be
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 NJ Germe-
nil. those dread shears will soon be
closedi
Well, the lock being empty. Remond
slillfully and noiselessly inserted the key
he carried. A moments pause, and the
strong, steady, practiced hand of the
robber turned it. Another moments
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 ont 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. Hewas 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 contssunlats3,.
an %b how wssilsi d > met
- - light from the easement fell full