Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-09
AMBULANCE
HEADQUARTERS.

where 1t crossed the sidewalk Here the
wall OF paving stones was higher; he could
lift himself into the balcony of the house
against which the barricade ended This
he did cautiously, then crouched there
watching lantern that somebody in the
house had lighted.
The lantern swung to and fro; somebody
was moving downstairs; a shadow fell
across the threshold and a figure stepped
into the street. By the light of the IAN
tern he could see the uniform-the crimson
reverses, the gilded shoulder knots laced
with scarlet that indicated an officer of
rank in the carbneers.
me olncer stood a moment inspecting the
barrfcade by the Pickering lantern light,
then turned. and crossing the street en-
tered the church. 1t was Speyer Bourke
waited moment before he rose from the
balcony. He had no plan, no idea. What
10 do now that he had crept into the hor-
nets nest, was problem too intricate for
him. And as he crouched there, hestating
something in the open window behind him
caught his eye-a dark mass huddled above
the window ledge. Then, to his horror. he
sa" eyes watching him in the shadow-and
the shadow itself seemed to expand and
gnde toward him. Quick as thought he
had his revolver leveled; there came a
gasp sudden movement, and a man leap
90 softy Into the balcony. whispering,
Don't shoot, comrade, it's all right
Before Bourke could understand another
figure climbed out of the window and made
toward him.
'o1oiis coHlraue, they protested, I'VE
are deserving, too. Don't be selfish. but
lend a hand''
They let themselves down to the barrI-
cade one after the other. then turned and
motloned Bourke 10 follow.
wv hat did you do with your uniform ?'
asked one of the men. You're lucky to
find those clothes"
Zut'' said the other, I'VE can sell our
uniforms at the temple and buy blouses"
There was something not altogether un-
familiar to Bourke about the two carbin-
GERS. He looked into their hard faces The
one expressed soGden, sensual brutality the
other vacant vicfousness. Suddenly it came
to him, they were the Mouse's pals. Mon
Oncle and Bib la Goutte
ARE you coming with us, or are you go
ing to stand there all day?" asked Mon
Oncle
Bib added: "The captain will be looking
for US in ten minutes to help on that id
barricade."
Listen" said Bourke, with sudden in
splr9tion. Il am not going to desert empty
handed. Are your"
Hey" demanded Bib, vacantly. "rhere's
nothing to pocket in that barracks there,
and know our captain looted the church"
capt Speyer?' asked Bourke.
"No-Stauffer."
us Speyer your captain?" asked Mon
Oncle. --
viii you wait till 1 fnish?" clustered
bourke, or DO you want to run away
empty-handed?
I'll take anything on Gods earth, said
Bib. solemnly, but there's nothing left to
steal in this part of His earth. Is there,
Mon Oncle?"
Yes, there is said Bourke. sayagelv
There's that girl the Speyer stole in the
Rue d'Ypres''
What do we want of herr" asked Bibi,
in genuine establishment
Want! You want the reward don't
your"
Reward" muttered Mon oncle. "Is that
why Speyer stole her? L thought he was
sweet on her"
''zut," said Bibi. "Of course 1t was for a
reward. But don't see how we are to get
her, as she's in the church yonder"
"Of course, she's in the church, inter-
rupted Bourke, impudently, but his voice
shook IN spite of him at such unhoped-for
fortune-"of course she's in the church, and
all We'll have to do is to wait until Speyer
comes out with his lantern.
And crack his SKULL blurted out Bib,
eagerly. "and-"
And walk into the church and get her
hey?" suggested Mon Oncle
Then Mon Oncle and Bibi began to dis
pute about the reward, utterly ignoring
Bourke. The latter saw that his troubles
would only begin, even il he could get
Hide out of Speyer's hands. He said moth
ing, however, until Bib suddenly squatted
down behind the barricade and Mon Oncle
followed him, dragging Bourke to the
ground.
He's coming now" whispered Bib. pick
ing up jagged bit of stone. "Wait-TH
Speyer, swinging a lantern, entered .the
barricade and started toward the barracks
of the carbineers. He hummed a tune as
he walked, and dangled his lantern this
way and that, stepping mincingly over the
puddles of rain water and drawing his
capucin closer.
Then. as he passed Bourke, Bib stole out
like shadow, swifter and yet swifter, and
struck Speyer a terrible blow with the
heavy stone. The lantern fell-that is all
Bourke saW--except something lying in the
street and Bib kneeling above it. Present.
ly Bib came back, holding the lantern. still
lighted. single spot of blood blotched the
glass.
Without a glance at Bourke he beckoned
Mon Oncle, and they both entered the
church. Before Bourke could rise they re-
appeared at the door, vehemently disputing
with the sentry, who seemed 10th to allow
them there, but they had their way, and
again disappeared.
Bourke crouched behind the barricade
revolver cooked, eyes on the church door,
His heart was suffocating him with its
double beating. Second after second
dragged by.
And now came the lantern light again
nearer and nearer the door. Bib stepped
out alone,- then a child-a little girl came.
clinging to a woman-Hilde! Mon Oncle.
still diSputing with the sentry, brought up
the rear
AS they passed the barrfcado, Bourke
saw Mon Oncle glance fearfully around
but Bib showed him forward and SELLING
Hides arm he hurried down the street
and entered the maze of samber lanes and
alleys that honeycomb the quarter like
holes in a rabbit warren. Eourke followed
them. Once or twice Bib looked over his
shoulder suspfciously; Mon Oncle was al
ways on the alert. So they crossed the
anarchist quarter, Bourke following, and
began to skirt the interior Of the city.
where already few people were stirring,
and where the morning light in spite of the
rain, glimmered on wet Streets and closed
shutters.
Their intention was, obviously, to gain
the rookeries Of the southern quarters by
the faubourgs and outer boulevards
Bourke's time had come, and he glided
more closely on their heels until Bibi, turn
ing prudently to inspect his trail saw
Bourke standing at his elbow with leveled
revolver. Mon Oncle whipped out knife
and Bourke shot him dead at his feet Bibi
in an ecstacy of fury STRUCK Hide a muir
derous blow, turned and ran for 1t. ran
hard for his life; and Bourke shot at him
as he ran, standing as still and composed
as though he were shooting at target.
Every bullet struck its mark, but the mis-
cradle creature ran on. headaong until the
last shot sent him spinning and Keeling into
tree, at the foot of which he crashed
down, doubling up like dead rabbit
Then Bourke knelt and lifted Hide in his
arms Over her eyes the blood was pouring
from an open cut. Her white face fell back