The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-05-25
CHAPTER XVu.-CoNTINUED.


At last l came opposite the Toison
a'Or. The gate leading into the little
court was shut, and so was every win
dow facing the street. The signboard
MAS swinging sadly over the closed door,
and at the first glance ii looked as if
the house was deserted. | would trust
as little to chance as possible. passed
slowly on, and found that the Toison
d'Or Joined on to another but much
smaller house, which had its bound set
to it by the wall that crossed the street.
The sash of a window on the top story
of the house was up, and as | came up
to it the front door swung open and a
man stood on the steps and looked me
full in the face. As my glance passed
him, | saw that the door opened into a
room that was used apparently as
shop for all kinds of miscellaneous ar
ticles, and the man himself would have
stood well for the picture of a thieves
fence, which, indeed, he was.
"a good morning, captain" he said,
twill you buy-or have you come to
sell?" he asked, dropping his voice.
As he spoke Pantin came up and be-
gan to importune the man from safe
distance to purchase his wares; but be-
yond curse, had no further attention
paid him; and with disappointed air
he went slowly back toward the Toison
dor. 1t flashed upon me that some
thing had fallen my way. 81 have come
10 buy, compere." answered, and step
ping into the shop began to examine
Il few cast-off doublets and flung them
aside, demanding one on which the gold
lace was good. A woman joined the
man at this time, and whilst they were
rummaging amongst their stores |
hastily ran over in my mind the plan
| had formed. If l could get lodging
here l would be in a position to watch
who came and went from the house, and
strike my blow with deliberation and
certainty. So at last when the doublet
was shown to me, though the price was
eXorbitant, l paid il without dcmur, and
on the man asking if il should be sent
10 my lodging, ! pretended to hesitate
for moment, and then explaining that,
as ! had just come to Paris and was in
search of lodging l would take the
dOublet with me.
The woman, however, here cut in and
explained that if il was lodging !
needed they could accommodate me.
"All the more if you buy as well as
you do now, captain" said the man.
Il will sell you as cheap as you want
besides" | answered, but let me see
the rooms"
There is but one room, monsieur"
answered the woman, but it is large
and furnished" and then she led me up
the stairway. The room was certainly
large beyond the ordinary, but l was
disappointed beyond measure at find
ing that il was at the back of the house
and would prevent me from watching
who came in and out of the Toison dor.
i objected to the situation, saying that
/ WANTED a room overlooking the street,
There is none" she answered, short
", "but if monsieur desires TO look on
the street he may do so from the win
dow at the end of this passage"
She pointed to narrow passage that
led from the door of the room TO q small
hanging turret, and from the arched
windows of this / saw that / could see
all wanted without being seen myself.
The woman seemed to be of the same
kidney as her husband, and drove a
close bargain, and after much pretend
ed haggling closed with her ttrms,
and arranged also for her 10 bring me
my meals, explaining that for the next
week or so would stay indoors, as my
health was not good.
II understand, monsieur" she said,
showing her teeth.
"rhen il is settled. and | will step
down and bring up the dou6let which
left in the shop" with these words
counted out the rent and the money for