The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-03
PRIZE DETECTIVE STORIES, NO. 2e.

have often been 10 your apartments. IL
is the first time you have come TO mine.
/ beg of you TO make yourselves entirely
at your ease.
Mr.. Kennard was already tousling his
hair-as his habit when disturbed.
"And-and Madame GerbertY
"My wife is gone"
"Gone! Gerbert, what do you mean?"
''She went from me this morning that
is what i mean. ~
"But have you no notion where she Is
gone TOT"
How should have notion? She was
free TO go where she chose-as free as
air. +"
"oughtn't you to make inquiries?n
"To serve what purpose? know little,
il is true, bat what know is more than
enough. l know that she has become
tired OF me- of my poverty, OF this.
He stretched out his arms on either side
OF HIM. "She is but a young girl;
young girl soon becomes tired, II is only
natural. But am too much OF an ego
tist. / weary you with trivialities. You
must excuse me II do not offer you 10
eat or drink. beg of you not TO require
from me too particular reasons for my
seeming inhospitality.
Mr.. Nash was seated, as much at his
ease as If he had been paying the most
commonplace of calls. de watched M.
Gerbert, as though he found him unusual
Kennard wandered about the room. Every
now and then ne ran his hand through
his hair. lie paused before a little shelf
which was fixed against the wall. The
only thing upon IL was photograph. He
took ii in his hand, and half, absent
mindedly, began TO look at ii. Suddenly
his wits seemed TO cease wool-gathering.
His eyes flashed The expression of his
face betokened keen attention. He took
the photograph TO the table, bending
over so that the lamp might show him
more plainly what 1t was that he was
looking at.
"Who's that?" He was staring, as II he
experienced a difficulty in credlting the
evidence Of his own senses. "Why-it's
the assasSinlo
Nj. Gerbert had momentarily turned
away. At the sound of Mr.. Kennard's
voice he turned again.
81 beg your pardon?"
"It's the individual who found life an
insupportable burden.n
M. Gerbert went to the table. He saw
what Mr.. Kennard was holding
"That Is the portrait of Celestine-my
wife,"
"Your wifel Your wife!" Mr.. Ken
nard's voice rose almost to a roar. "This
is the girl who came 10 me this morning,
and who, in exchange for ten thousand
francs, offered 10 kill the President.
M. Gerbert's eyes visibly dilated. He
caught at the edge of the table as il to
help him stand.
care you sure?'
''Surel" Taking his host by the
shoulder, as he shouted each new insult,
MIR. Kennard shook him as IL he had been
some naughty child. "You little mounte-
banki You tailor's dummy! You shell
of mani" In his excitement Mr.. Ken
nard actually lifted his host right off his
feet, and held him up before him in the
air. "With your attitudinizing, and the
rest OF your damned folly, you've driven
that little girl, who loves you as only
woman can love fool, to try TO gain for
you wretched ten thousand francs in ex-
change, you little ass, for her own lifel"
Mr.. Nash came and laid his hand upon
his impulsive friends impulsive arm.
"Steady, Hugh
Thus recalled to himself, and to the
conventions of civilized society. Mr.. Ken
nard placed his host upon his feet upon
the floor. NJ. Gerbert seemed so taken
back by the treatment he had received, as
TO be able, for the moment, to do nothing
but pant and cape. In the sudden silence
pass key was heard being inserted in
the door without. 1t was opened; a
woman came in. 1t was the woman who,
that morning had visited Mr.. Kennard.
"Alphonse!' she exclaimed, "What is
it?'' She caught sight OF Mr.. Kennard,
and knew him. "Monsieur Hugh Ken
nardl Mon Dieul''
She crouced back against the wall, as
IL, IL she could, she would shrink right
it, One could see that she was
trembling in every limb. Her veil was
up, SO that one perceived that even the
muscles of her face were trembling. In
the uncertain light she looked more child
ish than she had done in the morning.
Mr.. Kennard moved forward "My
childl" he said.
mol mol" She put up her hand as II
to ward him from her. 'Alphonsel AL
phonse Do not let him touch mel''
II was pitiful to see her. 1t almost