The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-12-12

neat.
What was her terror when. in the
feeble starlight, she saw Il form climb
ing noiSelessly through the window.
She tried to scream, but her throat
was parched with fright and she could
not utter a sound.
The man had entered the chamber.
Then the poor wCauan hastily buried
her head beneath the bed clothing.
Half dead with fear, she could hear
her nocturnal visitor going and coming
across h carpet with muftled steps.
1t seemed as though he must have re-
wed his shoes in order to tread softly.
Bathed with cold perspiratior and her
teeth chattering, she awaited the NOR
tai blow from the invader. But it 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 it? What's the matter"
they cried.
She recounted her horrible vision.
They would not believe her; h had
been dreaming. Who could have climb
ed into this chamber, so high above the
ground, without a ladder?
did you see him ~plainlyy" asked the
Marquis, with a touch of suspicion in
his voice.
"As plainly as I see you, and it even
seemed" She hesitated.
WHAT"
at seemed as though I could recog-
nize DR.. Cornabuc in his blonde wig
and redingote."
Everybodylaughed. What! DR.. Corna-
buc! A mar 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 a
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 H~awthorne'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! there!" she cried. pointing tc
the window. "a man! He has escaped
but l recognized him."
who was it."
DIR. C%ornabuc!"
The doctor again. This time nobody
laughed. Cornabuc was looked fol
among the persons who had been at
tracted by the excitement, but he wa!
not there. He was the only occupan
, 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 myster.
for us"
All followed Kerdall-the men hal
dressed, the women in their whit,
night robes, all carrying candies;
weird procession.
4 Upon the entrance Of the crowd tn
doctor hurriedly wrapped himself i
y the bedclothes. his wrinkled counter
!, ance alone being visible over the tor
and this convulsed by anger into
comical grimace. The candle light wa
, reflected from his bald pate, whic
shone like ivory.
y rs this some ill-timed joke" h
e stormed. What is going on? Is tn
g chateau on fire? l heard a terrible on
~ cry, and was about to inquire into it."
ID You must come and join us, doctor,
IS said Kerdall.
~ and how shall l do it?' cried til
ID Doctor, furiously. Some rascal hs
m run off with my clothing, and in e.
ir change he has left me this" and
savagely hurled a white object into tt
of middle OF the room
"My corsets.." murmured Miss Hay
ii thorne. modestly lowering her eyes.
and this:' continued the Docto
At wildly brandishing another article.
n. MY hat!!' cried Nine. de Lartigues.
10 "This raillery passes all bounds
howled the Doctor, whose shining hea
,ts with one final grimace, ducked benea'
q the bed clothing, like the clown goil
,.- through a trap door in the marionet
ri theater.
od They knew not what to think. T.
nd mystery was growing more compiled
,as ed. 1t certainly looked as though a ro
90 Der had entered the chateau-perha
lsa a whole band Of burglars and ASSASSIN
., Nine. De L~artigues imagined a troop
os brigands armed to the teeth.
as Let US hope they have no guns" 50
lad the Marquis, to raise the hopes Of !
va guests.
There was no echo to the pleasant,
en- Suddenly a strange sound was hea