The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-19

attracting his attention, he bade me a
civil good morning. He made no men
ton, however, of his illness, nor did
he excuse himself in any way, but set
about his duties in a quiet, cat-like
manner.
Whilst he moved softly about began
to piece together the noise Of the STUN
BILE 1 had heard outside my door when
about to set out with Palm, with Nine.
Pantin's warning and the scene in the
loft. 1t struck me that his seizure
might, after all, be a blind, and I de-
termined to question the man and by
watching the play Of his features and
noting his manner of reply try to dis
cover if there was anything to show
that my idea was correct.
Pretending therefore to be unaware
of what had passed, I asked:
How was it you were not in to re-
ceive me last night, Ravaillac?"
There was a quick up and down
he answered.:
Il was i'll, monsieur; [ trust Monsieur
lie Chevalier is not hurt?'
Hurt! Why should I be?"
Monsieur will pardon me; but I
thought it possible
How SOP
"Monsieur's clothes were dripping wet
when 1 first came in, and his rapier
stained full six inches from the point
when I drew it out of its sheath to clean
it this morning. 1t looked like an arm
thrust, and 1 thought"
Never mind what you thought. I had
8 slight affair last night, but was not
hurt" 1t was clear to me that he was
trying to carry the war into my coun-
try, as it were, by counter questions to
mine. 1 therefore cut him short, and
added:
Your illness came fRd went very
suddenly. Are you often taken that
way?"
"Then monsieur knows"
"a great many things, perhaps; but
kindly answer my question"
1t may have been fancy or not; but
it seemed to me that, as once before,
saw the wrath of smile fit stealthily
along his thin lips. He was standing
in front of me, holding my rapier, and
his eyes were bent Gown on the polish
ed steel hilt as I spoke.
At first he made no answer, and I re-
peated my question. This time he look
ed me full in the face, and the whole
expression of the man changed. His
cheeks paled. His eyes dilated His
voice took shrill pitch.
IT cannot tell, monsieur It comes and
goes like the wind. There is a fear that
falls on me-a fear and something
know not what beside; but all before
my eyes is red-red, as if it rained
blood-and then myriad of devils are
whispering in my ears, and there is no
safety for me but the cross and prayer
1t has passed now-God be thanked!
Will monsieur not take his sword?"
His voice dropped again to its low,
soft note as he ended and handed me
my rapier. I buckled it on, thinking to
myself, my friend, you are either a
lunatic at large or a finished actor. In
either case you won't do for me-"
said no more, however; but when he
gave me my hat he asked:
"Will monsieur require me in attend
ance?"
yes, I, go to the hotel de Belin, and
I trust this will be the last of your at
tacks whilst you are with me. The
comte told me you had been a fiagel-
liant, but had recovered
Il have been we'll for a long time,
monsieur he answered, taking my hu-
mort will try and get i'll no more"
II am glad of that. Saddle Couronne
I go out at once-you can follow on
foot
Monsieur"
The next moment he was gone, and I
keard him running down the stairs 1t
would take a few minutes to get Cou-
rome ready, but I followed him down
at once, as I had an inquiry to make
from Nine. Pantin. heard some one
moving below in the kitchen, and,