Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-09-05

under tine Gifts at low water ana nidden
himself"
"Ah. mon Dicu! But you are unhurt,
my fricndY exclaimed Roublot
Yes; he missed me by hairs
breadth. but he was sighting me with
IL second pistol, SO I let him have
chunk of lead from mine and nc rolled
over. as dead as rabbit, into pool.
II he's let bidc htcre the tide will like as
not wash him right into Weymouth
Bay. Go down, Dick. my lad, and roll
some rocks atop Of him."
The young man disappeared into the
black gulf below. No sooner was he
gone than Kern filed himself a stifr
nobbler Of brandy and drank 1t at a
gulp.
"Thats better" he said. "Twouldn't
ever do for my mate to see as was
bit shook by this. You may believe 1t
or not as you like, NJ. Roublot, but for
all folks do say Of me, this Is the first
time Us I've took mans life.'
"1ndeedw exclaimed the Frenchman.
"Why, your reputation on both sides
the cha nnelis Of the most blOodthirsty."
A faint smile fiuttercd over the old
smuggler's rugged countenance. II
took care It should be-" he said. But 1t
was, as you call 1t, all reputation
worked up for my own safety. should
not have done II now, but TINT the sneak
would have shot me else"
"You surprise me. mon ami" replied
RoublOt, thoughtfully. But come, let
us change the subject. have laid bare
my heart to mademoiselle. your daugh-
ter. and she rejects my love. She has
the soft feeling, I am sure, for Dick
1Angst0n, your mate"
Kern frowned. as though ill-pleascd,
but his brow'quickly cleared.
II own am sorry. had hoped Mar
gerry would have fancied you, seeing as
It would have suited our dealings to-
gether. But II she won't, tell you
plain. It amt Steve Kern's way 10
force maid. And, after all, Dick Is u
very proper lad"
A moment later Dick I.angston re.
turned from his uncongenial task, the
rope ladder was drawn up for the
night and Steve Kern's household sat
down to a bountiful supper. secure
against all assault.
Tha, night when Pierre Roublot re-
tired TO his rock.walled guest chamber
II was not to sleep.
II will have my revenge yet" he NUT.
tered. ''and revenge that shall strike
all three. Strange, too, that the very
moment when there arose the need Of
weapon, Kern himself should have
placed so good a 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
lugger. the Petrol, which In the inter.
val had had many successful trips, lay
moored alongside the quay at Fecamp,
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 terms with tho natives.
Since the night when he killed the
preventive man at the foot Of the lad.
der he had assumed more than usual
~ ferOcious bearing, and the moments
weakness he had shown In the presence
of RoublOt was his last. He may have
been suspected Of having a hand In
Sandy Mclntyre's disappearance. bat
II so, In the absence Of proof, no one
dared to tax him with It.
In other respects. the only change
that Times flight had brought was III
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 father-in.law
are lOunglng on the deck Of the Petrol
talking Of their home In the cliff. We
must turn our steps to RoublOt's dingy
office, In one OF the by.streets running
at 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 see him on an urgent affair.
"You have transactions with English
smugglers, monsieur, VIC are informed
Yes; we'll, we Of the administration are
In need Of one such-very courageous
he must be and discrcet-t0 perform q
secret mission. Know you of q man
whom you could introduce to us?"
lis 1t permitted to inquire what
would be demanded Of him?" asked
ROublot. cautiously.
But certainly, on this side of the
channel. at least. there Is no need fol
secrecy" replied the officer. ut Is like
this: Those accursed English have &c
blOckaded our coasts that such of oul
cruisers as are not penned up in pOrl
are unable to venture In to renew the!l
stores and ammunition. The Celestint
frigate u In the channel short Of pow
der. 1t Is for the purpose Of supplying
her that we want an English smuggler
whom. as well as yourself, we shall
treat with the utmost liberality."
you forget, monsieur 10 capitainr
that, even In tho breast Of smuggler
the fire Of patriotism may burn" h,
said.
rs that so? I had thought they wer,
all rogues ana vagabOnds." replied tho
Offie,, looking crestfallen.
Not to that cXtent-at any rate. non,
whom l know" said RoublOt. "How
ever" he went on, speaking eagerly
"let not that discourage you, monsieur
I will undertake to get your powder
conveyed to the frigate II you will SEM
1t to my cellars. To be frank with you
I have a smuggler In port who IL com