Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1896-11-04

q rafting at ner WINDOW, WHICH Sne
had left half opened on account of the
heat.
What was her terror when, in the
feeble starlight, she saw form climb
ing noiselessly through the window.
She tried to scream, but her throat
was parched with fright and she could
not utter n sound.
The man had entered the chamber.
Then the poor woman hastily buried
her head beneath the bed clothing.
Half dead with fear, she could hear
her nocturnal visitor going and coming
across the carpet with mufiied steps.
1t seemed as though he must have re-
moved his shoes in order to tread softly.
Bathed with cold perspiration and her
teeth chattering, she awaited the NOR
tai blow from the invader. But 1t did
not come.
After about a quarter of an hour she
| timidly peered out. She could see and
hear nothing. Slightly treasured, she
recovered the use of her voice and
started a series of shrieks, so sharp,
piercing and terrible that in an instant
| the entire chateau was turned into her
| chamber with lights in their hands,
| NJ. and Nine. De Kerdall at the head.
what is 1t? What's the matter"
they cried.
She recounted her horrible vision.
They would not believe her; she had
| been dreaming. Who could have climb
ed into this chamber, so high above the
ground, without ladder?
"Did you see him plainly?" asked the
Marquis, with touch of suspicion in
his voice.
"As plainly as I see you, and it even
seemed" She hesitated.
"WhatW
at seemed as though l could recog-
nize DR.. Cornabuc in his blonde wig
and redingote."
Everybody laughed. What! DR.. Corna-
buc! A man of age and character seal
ing windows at midnight! 1t was GER
tain now that Nine. Lartigues had
been dreaming. They tried to dissipate
her fear, and she was just about to per-
suade herself that she had been the vic
tim of an hallucination when she hap
pened to cast her eyes upon the bureau,
where she had left her jewels.
They were gone! 1t had truly been
robber!
The laughing suddenly ceased, and
they looked at one another in conster-
nation.
All at once another cry was heard, a
piercing shrek coming through the
stiffness of the night. 1t appeared to
emanate from Miss Hawthorne's cham
Der. There was a rush for her apart
ment, and the English lady was found
standing in the middle of the room,
with frightened eyes.
There! therev' she cried, pointing to
the window "a man! He has escaped,
but recognized him."
"Who was it?'
Or Cornabuc~
The doctor again! This time nobody
laughed. Cornabuc was looked for
among the persons who had been at
tracted by the excitement, but he was
not there. He was the only occupant
of the chateau who was missing.
"Come, let us go to the doctors ROOM"
said the Marquis, knitting his brows.
HE will doubtless solve the mystery
for u.s."
All followed Kerdall-the men half
dressed, the women in their white
night robes, all carrying candles-a
weird procession.
Upon the entrance of the crowd the
doctor hurriedly wrapped himself in
the bedclothes, his wrinkled counten-
ance alone being visible over the top,
and this conyulsed by anger into a
comical grimace. The candle light was
reflected from his bald pate, which
shone like ivory.
rs this some ill-timed joker" he
stormed. "What is going on? Is the
chateau on fire? heard terrible out
cry, and was about to inquire into it."
you must come and join us, DOCTOR"
said Kerdall.
"And how shall l do it?" cried the
Doctor, furiously. ''Some rascal has
run off with my clothing, and in ex-
change he has left me this" and he
SdNuStlA nuIlCu IL W oDJill llilO TIC
middle of the room.
MY eorsetsr' murmured Miss Haw-
thorne, modestly lowering her eyes.
"And this?" continued the Doctor,
wildly brandishing another article.
my hat" cried Nine. de Lartigues
"This raillery passes all bounds"
howled the Doctor, whose shining head.
with one final grimace, ducked beneath
the bed clothing, like the clown going
through a trap door In the marionette
theater.
They knew not what to think, The
mystery was growing more complicat-
ed. 1t certainly looked as though rob-
Der had entered the chateau-perhaps
a whole band of burglars and assassins.
Nine. De Lartigues imagined troop of
brigands armed to the teeth.
Let us hope they have no guns" said
the Marquis, to raise the hopes of his
guests.