Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-05

ing of a sudden, and led US down some
dark stairs to sinking kitchen, where 1
wouldn't have housed a dog. Two min
utes after We were out in the back yard,
and she had left us.
Now" said Jim, we're the better for
wanting her. though she's a wonderful
woman when Yen take her right. The
fact is, she's just as crazy as the others
about the house ypnder, and is half afraid
Of having anything to do with us. But
she.s lent me the steps. and that's all 1
II was raininsTfats and dogs now, and
bitter cold, butuTe were both excited by
what we'd come to do. and didn't feel it
more than the touch of a feather. For
my part, Ia thought little of the danger
up to that times but when 1 stood out in
that dark yard and looked up to the black
shape or a windowless and prison alike
mouse, must say that I got shiver
Jim" said T. "two's not many for a Job
like this. Did you bring your pistol?"
I did So" he whispered, you don't find
me gong 1ar without it in Paris. VIII you
You CO." said I, ''since you know the
way. I'm on your heels-though what
you're to see through the wall I'd like to
There's window on the lower story"
tread light"
Saying this. he went up the steps, and 1
followed him. I have made it clear, think.
that the cabaret, or beer shop, or wha tever
you like to call it, stood back to back with
the house we'd come to inquire about
There was only yard and q high wall be-
tween them, but at the end of this yard,
and damned up against the wall was shed
for lumber. so built that when you set the
steps on its roof you could put your fingers
on the top OF the bricks above and haul
yourself up. 1t didn't take Jim and 1 a
minute to do this, and once astride the wall
we had our first view of the Maison dor.
l must say, and always have said, that
lit
look of that house. Its heavy, blackened
shape seemed to rise up like the shape Of
a dead house or prison. Many of It's
lower windows were heavily barred with
reeking with filth and rubbish. No sound,
no Eight came out of it. 1t was Just a great
mass of brickwork looming up in the dark
ness, and could understand easily enough
how all the wild tales about it had come
to be told. Sitting there. astride on the
wall, and peering at such easements As
faced the back of the cabaret. should
not have been a bit surprised If I'd have
seen some inhuman thing stalking the ward
below me. My heart was in my mouth
my nerves twitched like a womans. And
Jim was not whit better.
do you make anything Of it?" he whis-
pered, after we'd been on the wall a. min
ute two.
THE devil Bit" said I.
1T amt exactly palace of varieties, is
it?" he continued a bit later, but Grey's
in there right enough. 1t was through that
mite of a window on your left that I got
a sight Of the place last night There was
light there then. I don't fancy Wen do
much tonight"
Nor me, either said I, for was right
down scared, and that's the fact of it.
Shall We try again tomorrow night?"
says he, and l could see he was in hurry
to be off.
1--WE might as well. for all the good we're
doing" said I, and with that turned to
put my foot on the steps again. A mo-
lat 1,
my breath away.
The window which was dark had sudden
ly become light. A. man with a lamp in
his hand passed it, and, following him with
quick steps, was no other than my master
Nicolas Steele.
Go be concluded tcmorrowl