The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-04-25
CASE lis /
By.
Emile GAboriAu
CHAPTER X-Continued.

him on the shoulder, recalling him. Ii
was the man in the Venetian cloak.
''Are you satisfied NJ. Verduret?" he
inquired
Eyes and no, monsieur the count
no, because I have not completely
achieved the object | had in view
when | asEed you to be admitted here
tonight; yes because these two rascals
behaved in a manner which dispels all
doubt"
"And yet you complaint
81 do not complain, monsieur the
count On the contrary. bless chance.
or, rather, Providence, which has just
revealed to me the existence of a Sc
cret that did not before even sus-
pect."
Five or six guests approached the
count, interrupting the speakers. He
went off with them after giving the
clown a friendly nod. The latter in
stantly threw aside his banner and
started through the crowd in pursuit
of Nine Fauvel. She had left the gal.
lery. He found her sitting on a sofa
in the large salon, engaged in an ami
mated conversation with Madeleine.
"Of course" muttered the clown,
''they are talking over the scene. But
what has become of Layers and De
Clameran"
He soon saw them wandering among
the groups scattered about the room
and eagerly asking questions.
= "These honorable gentlemen are try
ing to find out who | am. Keep it up,
my friends. Ask everybody"
They soon gave it UP, but were so
preoccupied and anxious to be alone in
order to reflect and deliberate that,
without waiting for supper, they took
leave of Nine. Fauvel and her niece,
saying they were going. The clown
saw them go up to the dressing room,
take their cloaks, descend the grand
staircase and depart.
81 have nothing more to do here" he
said.
And, completely covering his dress
with a domino, he started for home.
He lit a cigar and, walking up st. La
zare street, crossed the Notre Dame de
Loretto and made for the Faubourg
Montmartre. Suddenly as he entered
Olivier street man emerged from d
place of cOncealment and rushed upon
him with raised arm. Fortunately the
clown had catlike instinct, which en-
abled him to protect himself against
immediate danger and keep sharp
watch about him. He had seen, or,
rather, OWNED, the man crouching in
the dark shadow of house and had
put himself on guard, spreading out
his arms. This movement certainly
saved his life. Anger more than pain
made him cry out:
"Ah, you vilainw
Seeing his blow miss, the assassin
did not return to the attack, but made
rapidly off and disappeared in the
Faubourg Montmartre.
''That was certainly Layers" said the
clown, land Clameran must be some
where near"
He began to suffer from his wound.
He stood under gas lamp to examine
it. 1t did not appear to be dangerous,
bone. He took his handkerchief from
his pocket and tore it into four bands
and tied his arm up with the dexterity
of a surgeon.
81 must be on the track of some
great crime, since these villains are re-
solved upon murder. When such men
are only in danger of the police court
they do not gratuitously risk the
chance of being tried for murder"
He could not stay where he was.
By enduring Il great deal of pain he
might still use his arm, so he started
after his enemy, taking care to keep
in the middle of the road and avoid all
dark corners. Although he saw no
one, he was convinced that he was be-
ing followed. When he reached the
Boulevard Montmartre, he crossed it
and as he did so distinguished two
shadows which he recognized. They
crossed the same street when he cross
ed, little higher up.
Il have to deal with desperate men,"
he muttered. They do not even take
the pains to conceal their pursuit of
me-"
He continued his way up the boule-
ward and. without turning his head,
was sure that his enemies were thirty
feet behind him.
II must get rid of them somehow"
he said to himself. 81 can neither re-
turn home nor to the Archangei with
these devils at my heels. They are
following me to find out where | live
and who am. If they discover that
the clown is Nj. Ferduret and that NJ
'Verduret is NJ. Lecoq. there is an end
to my plans They will escape abroad
with the money. and shall be left to
console myself with a wounded arm"
The idea of Raoul and Clameran es-
Gaping so eXaSperated him that for an
instant he thought of having them ar
rested at once. This was easy. for he
only had to rush upon them. cry for
help, and they would all three be ar
rested and taken to the station. The
police often resort to this ingenious
and simple means of arreSting male
factor for whom they are on the look
out and whom they cannot seize with
out warrant. The next day there is
n general explanation. and the par
ties, if innocent. are dismissed. The
clown had sufficient proof to sustain
him in the arrest of Layers He could
show the letter and the mutilated pray
or book. he could reveal the existence
of the rawnbrokers' tickets in the
house at Vesinet. he could display his