Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-24

but chamberInaid was able to give the
positive assurance that he was not aslerp
He could be heard walking stin IN his
room She took up message. and return
ed with the command that Folliet should
wait in the salon. Armand had not sent
up his name.
Presently Yansittart entered. wrapped in
a dressing gown OF crimson silk with a
gcld-wrought ceinture.
"Ah, NJ. Folliet." he said. this is a sur
prise. And do my eyes deceive me? Surely
here is NJ. Dupres."
He spoke quite heartily. But his PR
tense of nonchalance was as hollow ard
shallow possible, making him still more
an object of pity. He could not hide the
haggard glare OF his eye, nor the care which
sat on his faded cheek
1--WE are now arrived post haste from
the neighborhood of a small town called
Clermont, in Argonne. MIR. Vansittart"
we have found Mrs Vansittart; or. rather.
to be exact. this gentleman here has found
her"
M. Dupres!"'
Yes, sir"
Seen herr"
His face was screwed into an expression
of gaunt, distorted inquisltiveness.
Yes; | have seen her" said Armand.
Really? You have? My God. you have
seen her. them"
His knees gave. and he sank backward
upon a couch.
II merely caught glimpse of her face in
pdSSinE, Sdlu Armand.
And she is-wen2 Did she seenl-welle
To think that you have seen heri'
Armand. in pity. said:
oh, she IL well enough a little pale
perhaps-no more than is natural under the
circumstances"
"A little pale. perhaps" Vansittart re-
ptated mechanically.
She is in healthy locality" ventured
Eo1liet.
But where-where?"
AT house surrounded by vineyards in
the Argonne district"
But. NJ. Folliet, you have left her
there?'
The place is full of armed men, mon
sieur. l did not at the moment feel my
self in a safe position to attempt a rescue
without consulting you. An attempt which
failed would make matters only worse"
How many men,"
81 should say between thirty and forty"
replied Armand.
There are extensive wine cellars beneath
the house, a labyrinth of hiding places
doubtless in direct communication by stairs
with the building. During an attack which
Is not also a complete surprise, your wife
could be"
All, l see: taken down into the cellars.
eh? An excellent plan. Is your object
then, to drive me mad, MONSIEUR
No, no. 1t Is merely suggestion which
| make. Find me the men. and I will un-
dertake the rest. You must not come. You
must see that you arr not I'm the Iight
frame of mind for such an enterprise And
The army here CannOt-spara YOU.
Nansittart's head was bowed down to mis-
knees. For some time he sat 50. Then he
said:
We'll, NJ. Folliet, IL you Will come With
me. think L can put at your disposal at
once whatever force We may think uecoS-
sary for rescue. As for myself | am
sorry cannot accompany you; things here.
you see will probably require my pres
emCe."
The three left the inB together and pro-
ceeded down the street to a private hoUse
where Col Montsaloy, man whose lctiv-
ity and Resource Fansittagt had obse -voG.
was now lying ASLEEP They reused the
house and in a few minutes the four men
were deep in colloquy.
Nansittart recommCh ded contingent II
sixty chasseurs as a suitable escort INSIST
ing upon the necessity IF secrecy, and 10
minding them of the wine cellars beneath
the house. In case IF need the local gen
darmerie might be called into reudisit!un
IF l have 81 he happInC TO sec You acse
by . O'Clock tomorrow nioId.ny. monsieur
he said to Montsaloy, you VIII possess Iay
lifelong gratitude"
They walked toward the west end Of Tie
village. Within twenty minutes Armand
and Eansittart stood listening to the huof-
beats of the troop lessening in the distance
and darkness.
60 be cOntinupll