The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-04

ib4 g., Ls.,~
- eS4sa -
Roi Is doing tonight" cried Corinnc,
interrupting suddenly; there is moth
ing more simple than that, ell, An
tonio?"
ut Is a chid's task, mademoiselle."
Sartincs, who had begun by treating
the whole thing as On elaborate jest,
listened 10 this talk incredulously
While he told himself that Antonio's
claim was absurd, preposterons, ridic-
nlous, nevertheless the idea that he
should put the physician TO the trial
WAS strong and fascinating. He felt
ike one in the presence of conjuror.
Tie would watch the trick closely
perhaps learn something from it. Be-
sides, IL he should get any informa-,
dor about Cog lie Roi-but th0t, he said,
was impossible.
| Antonio, meanwhile, had crossed the
great room and had seated himself be-
fore a little table upon which was an
istrolabe in brass, lamp with green
shade and large sheet of drawing
| paper all scattered over with hero
| Flyphics and strange lettering. like the
httering of an eastern manuscript.
When he had turned back the long
sleeves Of his gown and had taken
pair of compasses in his hand the doc
tor bade the others come near.
Monsieur" said he to Sartines, "you
desire to know in what occupation the
man Jacques Cabot, sometimes called
Cog lie Roi. has been employed during
The last twelve hours. II you win be
rood enough to ait by my side and to
'ay nothing until the olock shall strike
again will tell YOU"
The lieutenant, assuring himself that
he was fool to take part in such num-
merry. sat IA the physician directed.
.orfnno took her stand beside him;
Antonio, resting his head upon his
hands, cried suddenly for less light;
and, at the words, lacqueys entered the
room noiselessly and extinguished the
candles. Only the shaded green lamp
remained, and from its aureole the fig
ure of the old doctor stood out, mo-
tionlcss, stern-the figure OF some
weird magician risen up from the ages
Of the past.
Five minutes passed, and nothing
was to be heard in the great room but.
the ticking of the clock. Sartincs
found himself spellbound; Corinne her
self stood like n statue, scarce SEEM
Ing TO breathe. When, ut last, Antonio
broke the spell. he did so by beginning
TO speasIz in low voice, accompanying
the words with the tracing of strange
lines upon the paper before him.
Monsieur" said he, addressing Sar-
tines, but keeping his eyes upon the |
paper. "at twelve o'clock to-day Coo |
10 Roi was at Soisy, robbing the coach
of his lordship, the duke of Sabran."
"Dieu!" cried Sartines, rising from
his chair; "you say"
Antonio. without SO much as turn
ing his head, continued to draw upon
the paper. Corinne touched the lieu
tenant gently upon the arm and made
o sign TO him that he should say moth
ing.
AT three o'clock" continued the
physician, whose voice was now strong
md clear as the note of bell, 81 find
that Coz le Roi was at Gros Bois, after
the coach OF the grand master
Of artillery, Comte d'Eu, and robbing
him of three hundred louis dor"
"Sang-bleu!" cried Sartines, while he
threw himself back in his chair and
laughed heartily. "whnt a play. Oh,
you amuse mo very well, my dear doc
or!"
Antonio ignored the interruption.
His head was now 30 near to the paper
lint his eyes almost touched il. His
'oice was the voice of a man who speaks
his thoughts aloud. unconscious that
my listen.
ut Is six o'clock" he said, after a
ong pause, "ond the rain falls heavily
ipon the road TO Fontenay. / see a
,reat hill, and of its foot the woods
trctch out to meet the waters. One
orscman keeps watch in the dark
lace of the valley. lie Is waiting for
he coming of his highness, Duke do
levers."
Thousand devils!" cried Sartines.
nable to control himself; "you lie, ,
Antonio turned his hcnd swiftly; Co
inne pressed tho licutenant's arm
1arningly.
Your pardon" cried Sartines, nettled
t his outburst, and now pale with !
excitement. "but has not this Jest gone I
nr enough?" I
1T is as monsieur pleases," cried the G
Id physician, pushing his paper away Q
rom hi"'' "he has asked INC what the |
"A Jk9sssS