The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-11-05
(cOprhAi, lsOS,l
CHAPTER ".

AhuNVn AVihhAN We sH"t 3"NN hN'
"Wi,hout doubt for those that know
how to use It," was her answer,
"iou mean" said no.
but whSt sho meant ! never heard,
for they had both rlsen from their
seats, and l thought It about time to
mako OF. She was locking tho little
basin In ono Of tho cupboaFds bt the
arbor when / left them, aud no was
bending over her, earnest in talk. l
ianeied, however, as l went along, that
l could have told him as much az HhG
could, and, truth to tell, the few words
l had heard had knocked the bottom
clean ouL Of all my speculalions.
"Blgg," said | to myself, III ever
you're starving, don't go to think that
you'll mako a fortune out Of kcyholes,
Why, what's it come t%o-ynu'ye beon
asking all along, who's her confederate
and here's she's choosing Nlcky him.
'sslt for the part II 1t don't beat cock
fghtinR, I'm a Duichman."
Take it rs | would, | must say That It
did after In 4 moment all my theories
about the chateau and its pretty mis-.
tTesS, So long aI / had looked TO find
my master a victim Of the woman, so
long did | suspect every nan and every
move in and out OF the great house.
But oncO II came home TO me that she
had invited US there to help her, then
tho whole game was clear 10 me, The
comic, | was sure, dare not show In the
house because some oil madamO's guests
knew him to their cost, Gieky was
chosen for the part as a mau who
wouldn't stand at much, and who would
cover madame'S tricks. As for her be.
ing able to throw what numbGr she
liked-well, it's all history that a
croupier did 1t at Monte Carlo last win.
ter. "Bui," said ], "only the very devil
OF woman would havo gone so deep
aud that was gospel truth.
1t was about five O'Clock when ! got
back TO my room, and l did not sec Sir
Nicholas again until the gong went for
dressing. He was silent as usual, but
he did not hide it from me that his
nerves were all on the twitch; while tho
slap.dash way he put his clothes on
was q tale in Itself. When at last he
did 90 down, he shouted to me that no
should Waut me no more that night, aud
that possibly we should be going back
to Paris next morning-Rt which i
laughed to myself, as vol | might
you'll 90 back to Paris with full
pockets, Nicky," said 1 to myself; "but
you won't be go pleased when you
learn moro about the chap yondOr aud
the kissing hedoes in the wood. Loves
a very pleasant busineSs-but 1t don't
do to take pRttners,"
! was still laughing over tho notion
when l put his clothes away and went
down 10 my own supper. There was
plenty Of time before me-for | meant
10 see the play in the dawing.room
that highland II was not until ten
o'clock was chimcd from the spire Of
the chateau that | lighted my pipe and
went out into the grounds. But | was
doomed to a big disappointment. For
the first time since l had been at tho
house, the shutters Of the room were
closed. Not a ray OF light passed them.
You couldn't hear a sound, standing OH
the lawn as / did. All the folks might
have packed up their baga and gone oil
with themselves.
l was annoyed at this, you may DO
sure. and having nothing particular to
do | took Il stroll through the woods
towards the little pavilion where | had
seen and heard so many queer things.
but here, for the second timo that even.
ing. all was changed. The door Of tho
little house was wide open. Inside II
waa dark AZ death. More than that, |
had not taken twenty stops on my way
home through the lhicket when l came
across something which / heard Of be-
fore, but tho recollection OF which had
gone clean out OF my head. Il was a
red lantern swinging at the branch Of a
lroo.
"Hallon!" said !, aud / suppose that
| spoke aloud, so here's tho lantern
you asked after. my iriond-aud rcd.
loo. Well, i'll know anything OF thar
color, 1t means danger"
Now I'm not a timid man, but vixen
you speak to yourself, believing there's
no n within a milo Of you, 1t docs give