Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-02-16


moon behind me, as had done hitherto
| should have to cross over and leave
the street, and / felt sure that TINS
vould be a serious error, and that would
only lend me into further difficulties. II
was as vet no more than half hour or
so beyond Compline, so the street was
full; and unwilling to attract the atten-
ton of the watch, which had a habit OF
combining it's beat to places where II was
least required, l began to stroll slowly
down, determined to inquire the way OF
the first passer-by who looked in mood
amiable enough to exchange WORD
with SO bedraggled a wretch as was
then.
| had not long to wait, for in a short
time | noticed one who was evidently
well-to-do citizen hurrying along with
a persuading staff in his right hand, and
the mufiled figure of lady clinging on
TO his left arm. j could make out moth
ing of her; but the man himself was
short and stout of figure, and | ran to
the conclusion that he must be a CHEEKY
soul, for, as far as i could see by the
light of the street lamps, he looked like
one who enjoyed good meal and can
to follow, and, approaching, addressed
him:
Pardon, monsieur, but have lost
my way"
/ had hardly spoken so much, when.
loosening his arm from the lady, the
little man jumped back a yard and be-
gan flourishing his stick.
stand back!" called out the little
man, dabbing his stick at me.
"Be still, Mangel. So you wish to
find the rue de Bourdonnais, sir2"
"He had better find the watch" in
terrupted Maitre Mangel, they have
gone that way towards the Porte ST.
Martin"
Then this is the"
"Rue St. Martin"
"a hundred thanks. / now know
where l am, and have only 10 follow my
nose 10 get where l want. thank you
once more, and goodnight"
At last was once again in the rue des
DeuX Mondes, very footsore and weary
but kept up by the thought Of what !
had before me, and ready to drop dead
before should yield to fatigue. There
was no one in the street, and, Selling
the huge knocker, / hammered at the
door in a manner loud enough to waken
the dead. 1t had the effect Of arousing
one or two Of the inhabitants of the adj
joining houses, who opened their win
dows and peered out into the night, and
then shut them again hastily, for the
wind blew chill across the Passeur aux
Vaches. There was no answer TO my
knock, and then | again beat furiously
at the door, with little sinking Of my
heart as IL came to me that perhaps
some harm had befallen these good
people. This time, however, ! heard a
noise within, and presently Pantin's
voice inquiring in angry accents who it
was that disturbed the rest of honest
people at so late an hour.
open, Pantin!" shouted. at is |
do you not know me?"
Then / heard another voice, and a
sudden JOY went through me, for it was
that of my trusty jacques.
Grand Dieu! 1t is the chevalier!
Open the door, quick, mani"
1t was done in trice, and as stepped
in Pantin closed it again rapidly, whilst
Jacques seized my hand in his, and
then, letting it go, gambolled about like
a great dog that has just found its mas
ter.
noticed, however, at the first glance
| took around, that both Pantin and
Jacques were fully dressed, late as il
was, and that the notary was very pale
and the hand in which he held lantern
was visibly trembling.
Monsieur" he began, and then
stopped, but understood the question
in his voice and answered at once:
"Pantin, have come back to free her
come back almost from the dead"
"Then, monsieur, there are those here
who can help you still had thought
you brought the worst news" and he
AObhNA AT mt NAltlt SANhAs oOAAtu anu
wet. This way, NJ. lie Chevalior," he
continued.
ain O moment, Pantin," cut in Dame
Annette's voice, and the good woman
came up to me with flagon of warmed
wine in her hand.
Take this first, chevalier, It's Maitre
Pantin's nightcaR; but l do not think
he will need it this night. God be
thanked you have come back safe"
| wrung her hand and drained the
wine at draught, and then, with Pam
tin ahead, holding his lantern aloft, we
assembled the stairs that led 10 my apart
ments. AS we went up asked Jacques;
did you manage the businessg'
''Yes, monsieur; and Marie and her
father are both safe at Auriac. / rode
back almost without drawing rein, and
reached here but this afternoon; and
then, monsieur, heard what had hap
pened, and gave you up for lost"
At this juncture we reached the small
landing near the sitting-room / had
occupied, and Pantin, without further
,....rcr,,onv funu omen the dOOr and an