The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-08
ICopyright 1896. by Bachelor. Jc.nson
and Bacheller)

without doubt, for those that know
how TO use II" was her answer.
"You mean" said he.
But what she meant / never heard,
for they had both risen from their
seats, and j thought il about time to
make of. She was locking the little
basin in one of the cupboards of the
arbour when l left them, and he was
bending over her, earnest in talk.
fancied, however as went along, that
i could have told him as much as she
could. and, truth to tell, the few words
I had heard had knockedlthe bottom
clean out of oil my speculations.
"Bigg," said / TO myself, .''if ever
you're starving. don't go TO think that
you'll make fortune out of keyholes.
Why, what's il come to-you'ye been
asking oil along, who's her confeder-
ate-and here she's choosing Nicky
himself for the part. III il don't beat
cock-fghting. I'm Dutchman."
Take il as would, must say that II
did alter In moment all my theories
about the chateau and its pretty mis-
tress. So long as / had looked TO find
my master victim of the woman, 80
long did suspect every man and every
move in and ont OF the great house. But
once il came home TO me that SHE had
invited US there TO help her, then the
whole game was clear TO me. The
comte. 1 was sure, dare not show in the
house because some OF madame's guests
knew him to their cost. NiclSy was
chosen for the part as a man who
wouldn't stand at much, and who would
cover madamc's tricks. AS for her be-
ing able to throw what number she
likcd-well. it's all history that a
croupier did II at Monte Carlo last
winter. But" said /, "only the very
devil of avNoman would have gone so
deep"-and that was gospel truth.
1t was about five o'clock when got
back TO my room, and did not see Sir
Nicholas again until the gong went for
dressing. lie was silent as usual, but
he did not hide IL from me that his
nerves were all on the twitch; while the
slap-dash way he put his clothes on
was a taie in itself. When at last he
did go down, he shouted to me that he
should want me no more that night,
and that possibly we should be going
back to Paris next morning--nt which
laughed to myself, as well might.
you'll go back to Paris with full
pockets, Nicky." said to myself; but
you won't be SO pleased when you learn
more about the chap yonder and the
kissing he does IN the wood. Loves
very pleasant business-but II do I do
to take partners"
was still laughing over the notion
when put his clothes away and went
down TO my own supper. There was
plenty of time before me-for meant
TO see the play in the drawing-room
that highland ii was not until ten
o'clock was 'chimed from the spire of
the chateau that lighted my pipe and
went out into the grounds. But was
doomed to big disappointment. For
the first time since had been at the
house, the shutters of the room were
closed. Net a ray Of light passed them.
You couldn't hear sound, standing on
the lawn as did. All the folks might
have packed up their bags and gone off
with themselves.
l was annoyed at this. you may be
sure, and having nothing particular TO
do. took stroll through the woods
towards the little pavilion where had
seen and heard SO many queer things.
But here. for the second time that even
ing all was changed. The door of the
little house was wide open. Inside II
was dark as death. More thnn that,
had not taken twenty steps on my way
home through the thiclet when came
across something which l heard of be-
fore, but the recollection of which had
gone clean out of my head. 1t was n
red lantern swinging at the branch Of
tree.
"lIalloa!" said ]. and suppose that
j spoke aloud, $50 here's the lantern
you asked after. my friend--and red.
too Well, IL know anything of that
color, IL means danger"
Now I'm not timid man. but when
you speak TO yourself. believing there's
no one within mile of you, IL does give
start to get an answer. And the
words were scarce OF my lips when
come one i'm the woods ut my right hand
called out to me, and in good English,
too.
"Yes, that means danger, Bigg"
who the devil are you p said |, turn
irg around sudden. but seeing nobody.
I'm from acrNss the channel-but
not ON your job. igg SO don't trouble
yourself. It's Comte de Fnugere I'd
be glad to shake hands with"
Saying this, little man dressed in a
bowler hat and short black coat,
sprang out OF the thicket and faced me.
lguessed how things stood in a minute.
Detective was written all over his face.
WELL" said l, $50 you want the
count?"
II do" said he; 'nnd pretty badly
but it's not this time, fancy. He's a
hundred miles from here by this"
And his wife"
"Be - TO her." said he: shes the
cleverest woman J ever met, and she's