Frostburg mining journal., 1895-07-13
through without spilling a drop Of

DlOOQ
This pleasantly had often heard be-
fore, but from the lips of this strange
individual it took on peculiar charac-
ter. There was sound in his voice that
made me shudder.
AS l sat there poking up the smol-
dering embers of the fire the conversa-
tion of the peasants in the little inn
came forcibly back to me. And the more
thought of it the less 1 felt reassured.
This fellow Bridevent did not belong
to this part of the country. No one
seemed to know where he came from.
Beside his ostensible avocation of bar
ber, which surely did not bring in
enough to pay for the wood that burned
in the great stove, no one knew of any
other means of livelihood that he pos
sessed
And his manner, too, had reused my
suspicious Why had he gone into the
other room and closed the door so eau
tiously behind him? And those steps I
had heard, what were they?
Some one had doubtless been in that
room whom he had thought it we'll to
get out of the way. All manner of old
tales of persons who had disappeared
and left no trace behind, of mysterious
assassinations at night in lonely houses,
awoke to life in my mind until 1 began
to feel that at any rate it was not pru-
dent to help the murderer to his task by
Offering my throat unprotected to his
razors
From this moment carefully watch
ed every movement of my man. He
walked up and down the room, ever
stropping his famous razors and every
few minutes stopping to listen.
Every time he passed the half open
door I saw him look nervously out over
the fields to the right and left.
Presently his step became more hur-
ried and feverish, and his face betrayed
marked impatience. He appeared un-
easy, undecided Was he hesitating?
II began to feel very uncomfortable
indeed and cast frequent glances at the
door.
The darkness was coming on rapidly.
The room was only lit up by the flicker
ing light of the burning wood Long
ago the water in the stone jar had be-
gun to boil. 1t had half boiled away and
was nearly empty.
Evidently the man was trying to gain
time! Perhaps waiting till the shadows
of fast approaching night would aid him
in his ghastly scheme.
Suddenly he placed the razors upon
the edge of the table, looked into the
steaming little stone jar, and without II
word passed hurriedly into the next
room. When he returned, moment
later, he found me standing up ready to
bring the adventure to the point.
"All things considered" l began,
looking him straight in the face, II do
not care to get shaved tonight. 1t is get
ting late, and am expected to dinner.
l will look in tomorrow morning. Here
are so centimes for the operation. pay
in advanced"
But, without appearing to hear me-
I think he was little deaf-he ran to
the door again, and putting his head out
listened intently for several seconds.
In the distance could hear the bark
ing of dog that was coming nearer and
nearer. Suddenly big dog sprang past
MS legs.
"Down, Ronflot, down." he cried an
grily.
Then child came In out Of breath,
with her hair flying like leaves before a
storm. She held something in her hand
wrapped in paper.
"Give it here, quickP' cried Bride
vent. Monsieur has been waiting ever
so long. Here, give it to me!'
1t was piece of soap!
sat down again. All was in readi-
ness. Bridevent shaved me, and 1 must
honestly say that even if 1 was good
deal frightened I have never been better
shaved in my life.-From the French.