The morning times., 1897-02-28
eAtTH0P
Copyright, 1s97, by Max Pemberton.)
PART I,

PART /.
The Cheyalier Eugene Sabatier was
accounted one OF the handsomest rogues
| in all Paris; but he looked neither hand
some nor roguish when he stood in the
mushroom of the Hotel Reautreillis on
the Sd day of May in the year 1850,
and reflected earnestly upon the strange
tale which Antonio, the physician, had
Just told him.
The glori Gus afternoon was coming
to close then and the old garden in the
Rue ST. Paul began to be filled with the
first sweetness Of night. Trees laden
with blossoms, bushes with roses, rustled
gently as the warm south wind breathed
upon them, lengthening shadows upon the
grass waged war with the deIayingpatches
Of sunlight and drove them inch by inch
from the garden. The spires and turIets
OF the great house shone radiant a little
while with fiery beams which struck upon
their windows and copper domes and
made them like burning beacons above
the surrounding streets. In the music
room ITSELF soft twilight prevailed, and
this was in keeping with the gloom which
There were three persons in the great
room at that hour; but the young Chevalier
was the most prominent figure, standing
as he did where the deep red light of the
setting sun could strike upon the gold and
blue OF his dragoon's uniform, and even
send fire flashing from the heavy brass
helmet he held in his hand AS for Mile.
Corinne, the mistress of the Hotel Beau
frail 10 CIn cot I'm IltEr Ohm Il
so far behind the curtain OF the window
that her pretty face was all in q shadow;
nor could you distinguish the color OF
her robe nor the tint of the lace which
hid her exquisitely white neck. But it
was plain that she was very serious; and
the same might have been said for her
old physician, Antonio, who sat at a
great writing-table in the center of the
apartment, and dipped his long quill pen
into the ink horn before him with irri-
tating regularity. Never once did he look
at the young officer nor seem to remem-
Der the establishment which word OF
his had Just created. And this was the
more surprising since that word had told
of the officers death
Monsieur he had said, 'ff you go
to the Chateau Saint Mapde tonight, you
go to the house OF man who is waiting
to kill YOU
The Cheyaler sprang from his chair.
and standing a moment with the crimson
light flushing upon his young face, he
appeared Ike enc about to resent savage
insult
''Dicu" cried he, 'do you forget that
l am going to the house of my brother?"
II forget nothing" answered the old
man without looking up from his paper,
'.should you doubt my words, monsieur
it is easy TO prove them by continuing
your journey immediately to the chateau
But the proof Will be with us-for your
body will lie in the Marine. before mid
night
The prophesy was that of one who
weighed his words W ell; bat soterriDle was
it to hear that long minutes passed and
no voice broke the silence in the music
room. i for Eugene Sabaticr he might
have been stricken dumb. Doubt. dread,
anger, fear-each of these played upon
his boyish face in their turn. Saying to
himself at one moment that the story was
a hideous calumny, in the next he remem-
bered the untold wrongs he had suffered
at his brothers. hand, and avoice whispered
in his ear, 1.-THE physician is right Made
moisene Corinne watchedher guest with sad
eyes and a troubled mind. There was
something beyond mere friendship in q
glance like that. Had her thoughts been
uttered aloud, she would have said
II love him. Happily for her, the curtain
hid her face and the pretty flush which
added ornament to it, When she spoke
there was scarce a ring OF tenderness in
her voice.
Eugene" she said, for they had been
children together. and no formalities
stood between them, Eugene, do not
think that Antonio would jest with you
at such q moment This is no new thing
to him. He has known your brother, the
Count of Brives, for twenty years. 1
sent for you tonight to save your life
repay me by forgetting everything but
the fortune and the future which tonight {
NAV bring YOU