The Holly chieftain., 1899-05-12

yond q curse, had no further attention
paid him; and with q disappointed air
he went slowly back toward the Toison
dor. 1t flashed Upon me that some
thing had fallen my way. II have come
to buy, compere." answered, and step
ping into the shop began to examine
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. II could get lodging
here would be in 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, paid it without demur, and
on the man asking If it should be sent
TO my lodging, pretended to hesitate
for a moment, and then explaining that,
as had just come to Paris and was in
search of lodging, would take the
doublet with me.
The woman, however, here cut in and
explained that If it was lodging
needed they could accommodate me.
"All the more il you buy as well as
you do now, captain" said the man.
Il will sell you us cheap as you want
besides" / answered, "but let me see
the rooms"
There is but one room, monsieur"
answered the woman, "but 1t is large
and furnished" and then she led me up
the stairway. The room was certainly
large beyond the ordinary, but was
disappointed beyond measure ut find
ing that it was at the back of the house
and would prevent me from watching
who came in and out of the Toison dor.
objected to the situation, saying that
wanted n room overlooking the street.
There is none" she answered, short
ly, but il 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 small
hanging turrct, 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 n
close bargain, and after much pretend
ed haggling / closed with her terms,
and arranged also for her to 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.
Then it is settled, and l will step
down and bring up the doublet which
l left in the shop" with these words /
counted out the rent and the money for
my board, coin by coin, into her hand.
as if each piece disgorged was my
last; and then stepping down, found,
| as expected, Pantin at the door.
The man was for ordering him away;
but his wife insisted on making pur-
chase, in which Joined, and the fence
going upstairs at that time we three
were left together. It was all-impor-
tant to get rid of the woman for mo-
ment or so. and Pantin, seeing this,
sold his whole basket load Mt price
SO small that it raised even her aston
ishment.
II have sold it for luck" he said, "but
II madame wishes will sell her daily
Mt the same rate"
Gould you bring me fruit at the same
price," I asked.
why not?" he answered.
Then bring me some Tomorrow"
Certainly. captain; where shall
put these, madame?"
But she bore them away herself. and
this gave me the opportunity.
"Pantin," I said, 81 have taken n room
here, you understand"
"And l." he answered, shave sold
cabbage to Babette. II you hear moth
ing more, meet me at dusk in the
square behind st. Martins"
There was no time TO say more, for
we heard the fence coming back. Pan
tin went off down the street, and 1,
after word or two with the man, and
an order to his wife regarding my
meals, went slowly up to my room.