Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-02-23

above us, in a manner to satisfy ms
that the ladder was sufficient to beai
double my weight; and then, as if con
tent with this, flung it aside.
'Will not monsieur take it?" asked
the man; "it is cheap"
1T is good enough" ! answered, IF
had a business on hand; but al present
/ am waiting"
IF monsieur has leisure l might be
able to give him hint that would be
worth something in crowns"
II am lazy when in luck, compere
No, will not take the ladder"
1T may come in useful, though, and
will occupy but a small space in mon.
uieur's rooms;" and, seeing that | APP
peared TO waver, shall take 1t up? ]
will let it 60 for ten crowns"
Five crowns or nothing" said
firmly.
"But IL Is OF the finest silk"
81 do not want to buy. You can TAX,
my price or leave it."
VERY well, then, monsieur, thanks
and | will take it up myself"
You need not trouble. L am going
up, and will take it with me-"
With these words / took the ladder
folded in long loops in my hands and
went back to the turret. There spent
a good hour or so in reexamining it, ano
splicing one or two parts that seemed
a trife weak, at the same time keeping
a wary eye on who passed and repassed
the street, without, however, discover.
ing anything to attract attention
Finally the woman brought up my din
ner, and | managed to eat after a fash
ion, but made more play with the
Beaugency, which was mild aud offs
good vintage. When the table was
cleared / sat still for about half an hour
or so, playing with my glass, and Their
rising saw that my door was securely
fastened in such a manner that no ont
could effect an entrance, except bS
bursting the lock. This being done
removed my boots, and unsluug my
sword, keeping my pistols, however, in
my belt, and after a good look round Il
see that no one was observing me, man
aged to loop the ladder round the
gargoyle, and then tested il once more
with a long pull. The silk held wei
enough, but the stonework of the gar
goyle gave and fell with heavy crash
into the fosse below. 1t was a narrow |
business, and it was we'll had tried the |
~ ha In II a1
out from the window cautiously to sec
If the noise had attracted any atten
ton, and found, to my satisfaction, that
ii had not. After allowing a little time
to elapse, so as to be on the safe side
l attempted to throw the Iooped end
might fall over the parapet between
two embrasures, but discovered, aft.
err half dozen casts, that this was not
feasible from where / stood. Then ]
bethought me of my boyhood's train.
ing amongst the cliffs that overhung
the bay of Auriac, and, stepping out
On to the ledge of the window, man
aged, with an effort, to hold on to the
stump Of the gargoyle with one hand
and balancing myself carefully, for q
slip meant instant death, flung the
loop once more, and had the satisfac
ton of seeing it fall as / desired
any further hesitation put
ny foot on the rungs and in a minute
more was lying on my face behind the
and thanking God had made
he effort, for before me was large
,kylight, half open, from which could
command a view of the interior of one
Dom at least of the Toison dor, and
1y which it might be possible to eff
'ect an easy entrance. Before going
ny further, however, | glanced round
ne to see how the land lay and was de
lighted 10 find that | could not be oh
erved from the opposite side of the
treet, as the portion of the house
vas on was concealed from view by the
-abled roof, that rose about ten feet
rom me, leaving me in a sort of long bal