The Van Buren press., 1896-10-17

| Hoooicf u bIdnuN anu uEdnh II az a
gulp.
"That's better he said. "'Twouldn't
ever do for my mate to see as was a
bit shook by this. You may believe il
or not, as you like, NJ, Roublot, hut fos
all folks do say of me, this is the first
time as I've took mans life
Indeed" exclaimed the Frenehman.
"Why, your reputation on both sides
the channel is of the most blood
thirsty"
A faint smile fitted over the old
smuggler's rugged ceuntenanee. Il
took care it should BE-" he said "But
it was. as you call il. all reputation
worked up for my own safety. Ishould
not have done il now. but that tht sneak
would have shot me else"
"You surprise me. bon ami" replied
Roublot. ;houghtfully. But come. let
us change the subject. | have laid bare
by heart 10 mademoiselle. your daugh-
ter. and she rejects my love. She has
the soft feeling, | am sure, for Dick
langsten. your mate"
Kern frowned as though ill-pleased.
but his brow quickly cleared.
Il own l am sorry. ! had hoped
Margery would have fancied you. see
ing as it would have suited our dealings
together. But If she won't tell YOU
plain. il amt Steve kern's way n force
maid. And. after all. Dick is a very
proper lad
\ moment later Dick Langston re
turned from his uncongenial task. the
rope ladder was drawn up for the night
and Steve kern's household SAT down
TO a hountiful supper. secure against all
assault.
That night when Pierre Rouhlot re-
tired 10 his rock-walIed guest chamber
i was not 70 sleep.
Il will have my revenge yet. he NUT
tered. ~and a revenge that shall strike
all three. Strange. too. that the very
moment when there arose the need of Il
weapon Kern himself should have
placed 50 good one in my hand by
Staying the preventive. With such,
ready forged, there cannot be long to
wait for an opportunity"
Six months passed away. and kern'S
lngger, the Petrol. which in the interval
had had many successful trips, lay
moored alongside the quay at Feeamp,
waiting for her cargo of brandy and
silks. Despite the fact that war was
raging between France and England,
Kern and his merry men were On the
best of terrus with the natives.
Since the night when he killed the
preventive man at the foot of the ladder
he had assumed more than usually fe
recious bearing, and the moments
weakness be had shown in the presence
of Roublet was his last. He max have
been suspected of having hand in
Sandy MeIntyre's disappearance. but. 4
50. in the absence Of proof, no one dared
10 tax him with IT,
In other respects. the only change
that Times flight had brought was to
Dick Langston and Margery, who were
married some three months after the
episode first related, With Kern's full
approval.
But while Dick and his fsther.in-law
are lounging on the deck of the Petrol.
talking OF their home in the cliff, we
must turn our steps 10 Roublot's dingy
Office m one of the by-streets running al
right angles TO the water side.
On this particular morning he was
busy on the invoices of the goods about
TO be shipped on the Petrol. when his
clerk announced that an officer Of the
naval administration from Havre de-
sired TO sec him on an urgent affair.
you have transactions with English
Smugglers, monsieur. we are informed?
Yes; well. we of the administration are
in need OF one sueh-very courageous he
must he. and iisereet-to perform
secret mission. Know YOU Of man
whom YOU could introduce 10 u.s."
as it permitted TO inquire what would
be demanded Of him $" asked R1ublo1.
cautiously.
But certainly, on this side Of the
channel. NJ least. there is no nscd for
secrecy. replied the officer. Il: IS like
this: These aecursed English have 50
blockadsd our coasts that such Of our
cruisers as are not penned up IN port
are unable 70 venture in 70 renew their
stores and ammunition. The Celestine
frigats Is in the channel, short ~ pow
der. IL Is for the purpose Of supply
ing her that NE want an English snug
gler. whom. rs well as yourself. we
shall treat with the utmost liberal itv~
You forget. monsieur le cspitaine.
that. even in the breast Of a snuggler.
the IRE Of patriotism may burn h
said.
Is that so had thought they were
all uogues and vsgabondS, replied tn
ofsicer. looking crsStfsllen-
Not TO that extent-st any rate. none
whom ] Know said Roublot. How
ever he went on, speaking eagerly.
let not that discourage you. monsieur.
/ viii undertake 10 set your powder con
Feyed to the friSate II you viii send Il
70 NY cellars To X frank with you. I
have : sEuSgier IN port who IS COR
pletely under nv thumb ! can have
hia hanged IN England for a crius
there committed and rs god a wit-
messed by ne. Where Is the Celesti1e 70
* found
Her captain sent word that he would
run into tke Ness hsv ~ the Isle q Port
lard every 6ar& night for week SAID
ths otscsr. in nigh gles AZ the sucre<S Of
his eru1S
As soou As the o&csr departed 10 80
sbout Tx delivery Ct the Fowdsr
Roahlct threw himself hack II his chair
and lauShed softly 70 himself