The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-13
pRiz DETECTIVE STORIES, No. ~.

"The Baron Straubenthal does not re-
ceive visitors at SO late an hour, SAID ne,
speaking In very excellent French.
"You can inform Baron Straubenthal
that i have come eight hundred leagues
to see him, and that will not leave until
have done SO, ~ said my companion.
could not myself have said II win
better voice and manner.
The fellow took a sidelong look at us
and tugged at his long black beard In
his perplexity.
$40 tell the truth, gentlemen, said he,
"the Baron has a cup or two OF wine In
HIM at this hour and you would certainly
find him a more entertaining companion
II you were TO come again in the morn
ing"
He had opened the door little wider as
he spoke. ana | saw by the light OF the
lamp behind him that three other rough
fellows were standing there, one OF Whom
held another OF these monstrous hounds.
Duroc must have seen II also, but IL made
no difference to his resolution.
"Enough talk, said he, pushing the
man TO one side. sit is with your master
that 1 have 10 deal"
The fellows in the hall made way for
him as he strode in among them, so great
is the power of one man who knows what
he wants over several who are not sure OIL
themselves. My companion tapped one
of them on the shoulder with as much
assurance as though he owned him.
''Show me to the Baron,' said he.
The man shrugged his shoulders and
answered something in Polish, The fellow
with the beard, who had shut and barred
the front door, appeared to be the only
one among them who could speak French.
"Well, you shall have your way" said
he, with sinister simle. "You shall see
the Baron. And perhaps before you have
finished you viii wish that you had
taken my advice"
We followed him down the hall, which
was stone tagged and very spacious, with
skins scattered upon the foor, and .he
heads of wild beasts upon the walls. At
the further end he threw open door and
we entered.
It was a small room, scantily furnished,
with the same marks OF neglect and decay
which met us at every turn. The walls
were hung with discolored tapestry, which
had come loose at one corner, so as TO ex-
pose the rough stone wall behind. A
second door hung with curtain faced us
upon the other side. Between lay a
square table strewn with dirty dishes and
the sordid remains OF a meal Several
bottles were scattered over ii. AT the head
! of it facing us there sat a huge man with
lion-like head and great shock OF
orange-colored hair. His beard was OF the
same glaring hue matted and tangled and
coarse as a horses name. have seen
| one more brutal than that with its small
| ewes, its white crumpled cheeks and the
| thick, hanging lip which protruded over
! his monstrous beard. His head swayed
about on his shoulders, and he looked at
us with the vague, dim gaze of drunken
man. Yet he was not so drunk but that
our uniforms carried their message To
him.
"Nell, my brave boys, he hiccoughed,
| "what is the latest news from Paris eh?
Lyou re going to free Poland, j hear and
selves, slaves to little autocrat with his
gray coat and three-cornered hat. Nc
more citizens, either, i am told, and
nothing but monsieur and madam. My
faith, some more heads win have to roll
into the sawdust basket some OF these
mornings"
Duroc advanced In silence and stood by
| the ruffian's side.
"Jean Carabin," said he.
The Baron started, and the film oi
drunkenness seemed 10 be clearing from
his eyes.
"Jean Carabin, " said Duroc once mere
He sat up and grasped the arms OF his
| chair.
"what do you mean by repeating that
name, young man?' he asked.
"Jean Carabin, you are man whom
long wished 10 meet. >"
''Supposing that / had once such g
name, how can it concern you, since you
must have been n child when / bore it?''
"My name Is Duroc." !"
"Not the son Of
"The son of the man you murdered.
The Baron tried 10 laugh, but there was
terror in his eyes.
"We must let by-gones be by-gones