The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-04-11


The driver was profuse in his thanks,
but neither Prosper nor his companion
heard them. They had already started
up the new road. The weather, which
had been inclement when they set out,
was now worse. The rain fell in tor
rents, and furious wind howled dis
mally through the branches of the
trees. M. Verduret and Prosper had
been walking along the muddy road
for about five minutes when suddenly
the latter stopped.
"This is Raoul's house." he said.
Before the gate of an isolated house
stood the cab which they had follow
ed. Reclining on his seat, wrapped in
a thick cloak. was the driver. who, in
spite Of the pouring rain. was already
asleep. evidently waiting for the per-
son whom he had brought to this
house.
M. Verduret went to him. pulled his
cloak and said in low voice:
"Hello, my man."
The driver started and, mechanically
gathering his reins, yawned out, "All
right"
But when by the light of the carriage
lamps he saw two men in this lonely
spot he imagined that they wanted his
purse and perhaps his life.
81 am engaged" he cried out as he
cracked his whip in the air. "T am
waiting here for some one"
81 know that, you FOOL" replied M.
Verduret, "and only wish to ask you
question which you can gain five
francs by answering. Did you not
bring a middle aged lady hereY
This question, this promise of five
francs, instead of reassuring the coach
man, increased his alarm.
II have already told you am wait
ing for some one," he said. "Move on
or will call for help"
M. Verduret drew back quickly.
"Come away" he whispered to Pros
per. 'The beast will do as he says and,
the alarm once given, farewell to our
projects. We must find some other en-
trance than by this gate"
They went along the wall surround
ing the garden in search of a place
where it was possible to climb.
This was difficult to discover in the
dark, the wall being twelve feet high.
Fortunately NJ. Verduret was very
agile, and, having decided upon the
spot to be scaled, he drew back and,
making sudden spring remarkable
for so big man, seized one Of the pro-
1ecting stones above him, drawing him
self up by the aid of his hands and
feet to the top of the wall. 1t was now
Prosper's turn to climb up; but, though
much younger than his companion, he
had not his agility, and NJ. Verduret
was obliged to pull him up, then help
ed him down on the other side. Once
in the garden, M. Verduret took In the
situation. The house occupied by M.
de Lagors was built In the middle of a
large garden. 1t was narrow, two sto-
ries high and with garrets.
Only one window, in the second sto-
ry, was lighted.
"You have often been here and know
the house?" said NJ. Verduret. "What
room is that where we see the light?"
'Raoul's bedchamber,"
every good. What rooms are on the
first fioor?"
"The kitchen, pantry, billiard room
and dining room."
"And on the floor above"
1.-TWO parlors, separated by folding
doors, and a study"
"Where do the servants sleepW
"Raoul has none now. He is served
by q man and his. wife, who come in
the morning and go after dinner"
M. Verduret rubbed his hands glee-
fully.
"All right" he said. "There is moth
ing to prevent our hearing what Raoul
has to say to this person who has come
from Paris &c 10 a'clock at night to see
him. Let us go in"
But unfortunately the heavy oak
door was locked. NJ. Verduret shook it
In vain.
"What an oversight" he said, with
vexation. II ought to have brought my
instruments with me. A common lock
which could be opened with nail. and
l have not even piece of wire"
Recognizing the uselessness of an at
tempt to open the door, he tried sue
cessively every window on the ground
floor. Alas, every blind was securely
fastened on the inside.
M. Verduret was exasperated. He
prowled around the house like a fox
around a hen coop. seeking an en-
trance. Despairingly he came back to
the place in front of the house whence
he had the best view of the lighted
window.
"If could only look imp he cried.
"In there" pointing to the window, sis
the solution of the mystery, and we are
cut off from it by thirty or forty feet
of these two stories. must see, and l
will seew
Suddenly Prosper seemed to remem-
Der something.
'Erhere is ladder herer he cried.
"Why didn't you tell meq Where Ia
itT
eat the end of the garden, under the
trees"
They ran to the spot, and in a few
minutes the ladder was up against the
house. But to their chagrin they found
that there were six good feet between
the top of the ladder and the lighted
window.
1--WE cannot reach it" exclaimed
Prosper.
eve must reach it!' cried NJ. Verdu-
ret.
And he nuickIv nIaoad hinnSaIP a word