The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-12-27
CHAPTER TX.
THE INN AT oNTRO.


u i have pictured been In Denes-
W5{Hgls liza instead of Paris it is doubt
V2E8D full if the'brother of the ruling
prince would have openly associated
with creatures so low in the human
scale as Vandal, Reber and Robello.
But Casparin was in Paris. His re-
lationShip to the noble prince was un.
known except to the few rascals he
had employed to do his work, and his
own tastes were so near like those OF
Eandal and his associates that he
found it not only convenient, but a
source of pleasure, to be with them in
their orgies as we'll as in their serious
plottings.
1t was therefore quartet well pleas.
ed with its own component parts that
rolled toward the house Of Nine. du
Barry that evening after they had en-
ioyed the treat promised by Casparin.
OF the four Casparin was the nearest
tober. Reber and Robello, never hav.
Ing had the money to indulge in such
roistering as Vandal lived in and Cas-
parin loved, were the drunkest. Be
tween them Vandal maintained q
drunken, owl-like solemnity of coun.
tenance which would have been COM
ical if the countenance had been intel
lectual. AS it was, it was merely
beastly.
For one 1 am tired out" grumbled
Reber, staggering up against Vandal
and cursing him for not walking
straight. 81 am going to bed"
"Not quite yet" replied Vandal. "Do
you forget the job we have on hand to-
night? The body of the American must
be got rid Of"
EYES," said Casparin. "That is why
l came home with you. l must see
that disposed Of We must have nc
bad breaks now. My brother is gone,
and we must start within few days"
''The sooner the BETTER" said Vandal
81 shall not be sorry to earn that re-
ward"
"Nor Il" "Nor Il" added Reber and
Robello.
81 have been thinking about that fel-
low up stairs there" said Casparin.
'The police now have convinced them
selves-brilliant police-that the Amer.
lean who escaped from the Palais de
Justice murdered the American who
helped him out A little study would
show them how absurd that theory is
but we are fortunate in having police
to deal with who do not study. But
now, if they find the body Of this Amer.
lean in the same place as the other-or
if they find it at all-what will be the
result? They will know at once that
both Americans have fallen among
those who wished them out of the way
We do not wish to court an investiga-
ton now. We must hide that fellow
where he will not be found"
'As to that, we might have done il
before" said Vandal. 1--WE can bury
him in the cellar. But you had other
plans"
"Yes, / know ! did. / thought II
would puzzle the police liz a different
way. did not think they would prove
so stupid as they seem now. 1t is bet
ter to leave them in their stupid error
than to stir the mess all up again."
81 agree" said Vandal.
81 agree" 81 agreew said Reher and
Robello.
This delightful quartet reached the
house Of Nine. du Barry and stood out,
side looking stupidly-at least all but
Casparin, who knew little of the place
at the windows, which were darkened
but which We're usually ablaze with
light till nearly morning.
What is wrong herew muttered
Vandal. "Mme. du Barry must be i'll
The house looks like a funeral-
ut will be place of funeral soon,'
chuckled Reber. "That chap l found
on the bridge! Ho, ho! He didn't know
what was good for him. But, after all
what is the difference between the eel
lar of madame's house and the Seine p
"Yes, what?" added Robello.
"Shut up," said Vandal roughly. 81
tell you l don't like this. 1t means
something"
Nandal. being a favorite of ma.
DANES. and having use for her con
venient house sometimes when she was
out, carried key. He opened the door
The hall was dimly lighted. A serY
ant sat nodding in the hall.
Hello, Francois! What is this;
, Where is madame9" asked Vapdal.
Francois looked up sleepily.
81 don't know, monsieur" he said
81 have not seen madame since she
went this morning to lie down with
her headache. She is out, so much ]
know, for the cook, who was coming
from the markets. saw her leave the
| house."
"And did she leave no word with any
one?"
"Not a word. monsieur,
."Ihat is strange. Wen, sit up fol
madame. We are going pp stairs. In q
short time you may hear us moving
about. We may even bring our owr
wine from the cellar There will be nc
need of attending US. Do you under
standP
Il understand, monsieur"
Francois did more than understand
He rejoiced, for he was sleepy.
The four passed on up stairs. They
entered the room in which they ha6
peld the conference overheard by
Buckford