Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-15

came down with q crash upon my back,
the candle flying out of my hands, so that
1 found myself in darkness once more. /
picked myself up and stared through the
black archway into the gloom beyond
There was slight ray of light coming
from some slit or grating. The dawn had
broken outside and / could dimly see the
long, curving sides of several huge casks,
which made me think that perhaps this
was where the mayor kept his reserves OF
wine, while they were maturing. AT any
rate, it seemed to be a safer hiding place
than the outer cellar, so. gathering up my
candle, was just closing the door behind
me when L suddenly saw something which
filed me with amazement, and even, l
confess, with the smallest little touch or
fear.
1 have said that at the further end of the
cellar there was dim, gray fan of light
striking downward from somewhere near
the roof. Well, l peered through the
darkness, ] suddenly saw great. tall man
skip into this belt of daylight, and then out
again into the blackness at the further end.
My word / gave such a start that my
busby nearly broke its chin strap. 1t was
but glance, but none the less had time
to see that the fellow had a hairy Cossack
cap on his head, and that he was great,
long-legged broad-Shouldered brigand, with
a saber at his waist. My faith, even Eth
enne Gerard was little staggered at being
left alone with such creature in the dark
But only for moment. Courage, 1
thought. "Am 1 not hussar. brigadier,
too, at the age of thirty-one and the chos-
en- messenger of the EMPEROR After ALL
this skulker had more cause to be AFRAID OF
me than l of him. And then suddenly
understood that he was afraid-horribly
afraid 1 could read 1t from his quick
steps and his bent shoulders, as he ran
among the barrels, like a rat making for
it's hole. And, of course. 1t must have been
he who had held the door against me, ana
not some packing case or wine cask, as
had imagined He was the pursued then,
7 he hn i m
bristle az l advanced upon him through
the darkness He would find that he had
no chicken to deal with, this robber from
the north. For the moment L was mashlh-
cent.
At first I had feared to light my candle,
lest 1 should make mark of myself put
now, after cracking my shin over poX
and catching my spurs in some canvas;
thought the holder course the wiser. Ill
it, therefore, and then advanced with long
strides, my sword in hand. Come OUT
you rascal" l cried. Nothing can save
you. You will at last meet with your
deserts"
l held my candle high, and presently
caught glimpse of the mans head, STAR
ing at me over a barrel He had gold
chevron on his black cap, and the express
sion of his face told me in an instant that
he was an officer and a man OF refinement
Monsieur" he cried, in excellent French,
81 surrender myself upon the promise OF
quarter But If l do not have your promise
l will then sell my life as dearly as can.
''Sr," said l, "a Frenchman knows how
to treat an unfortunate enemy. Your life
is safew With that he handed the sword
over the top of the barrel, and l bowed,
with the candle upon my heart. Nv nom
have / the honor of capturing?" 1 asked.
II am the Count Boutkine of the Emper-
or's own Don Cossacks," said he. Il came
out with my troop to reconnoiter Senlis,
and, as we found no sign of your people.
we determined to spend the night here"
And would it be an indiscretion," l ask
ed IF were to inquire how you came into
the back cellar?"
Nothing more simple" said he. ut was
our intention to start at early dawn. Feel
ing chilled after dressing, j thought that
a cup of wine would do me no harm, so
came down to see what i could find AS
was rummaging about the house was sud
denly carried by assault rapidly that by
the time had climbed the stairs it was all