Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-13

it,"
"At 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.
1--WE must reach itw cried NJ. Verdu.
ret.
And be quickly placed himself yard
off from the house and, selling the
ladder, cautiously raised it, resting the
bottom round on his shoulders, at the
same time holding the two uprights
firmly and steadily with his hands.
The obstacle was overcome.
Nov mount" he said to his compan-
ion.
The situation was distressing for
Prosper. but he did not hesitate. He
made a sudden spring and. selling the
lower rounds quickly climbed up the
ladder. which swayed and tremblcd
beneath his weight But his head had
scarcely passed above the lighted win
dow when he uttered a cry which was
drowned in the roaring tempest and
dropped like a log down on the wet
grass crying:
1.-The villain! The villainv
With wonderful promptness and Wig.
or NJ. Verduret laid the ladder on the
ground and ran toward Prosper, fear
Ing he was dead or dangerously in
jurcd
What did you see? Are you hurt?"
he whispered.
But Prosper had already risen. Al
though he had had u violent fall, he
was unhurt.
81 saw" he answered In a hoarse
voice-'1 saw Madeleine-do you I'M
derstand. Madeleine?-in that room
alone with Raoul."
NJ. Verduret was COMPOUNDED. Was
II possible that he. the inf..llible ex.
pert. had been mistaken in his deduc-
tionsf
He we'll knew that NJ. de Layers Wis.
itor was woman, but his own conjec.
lures and the note which Nine. Gypsy
had sent to him at the tavern had fully
assured him that this woman was
Nine. FauveI.
"Iou must be mistaken" he said to
Prosper.
mo, monsieur: no. Never could I
mistake another for Madeleine. All,
you who heard what she said to me
yesterday, answer me. Was | to eX-
| poet this infamous treachery? You said
to me then, She loves you, she loves
you"
NJ. Verduret did not answer. He had
first been stupetied by his mistake and
was now racking his brain to discover
the cause of it. which was soon dis
cerned by his penetrating mind.
This is the secret discovered by
Nina" continued Prosper. "Madeeine,
this pure and noble Madeleine, whom
believed TO be as immaculate as an
angel, is alone with this thief who has
even stolen the name he bears and l,
trusting fool that was made him my
best friend. | conlided to him all my
hopes and fears, and he was her lover
OF course they ridculed my absurd de-
votion and stupid confidence.'
How do we know said NJ. Vcrdu-
ret, that Mile. Madeleine is heAs on
her own account? Did we not come to
the conclusion that she was sacrillcin.
herself for the benefit of some one?
That superior will which compelled her
to your dismissal may have brought
about this step tonight"
That which comedies with our secret
wishes is always eagerly welcomed.
| his supposition, apparently improba-
BILE, appealed to Prosper
THAT might be the case" he said.
"Who knows?'
Il would soon know" said NJ. Yer
duret, 'if could see them together in
that ROOM
Prosper thought moment
will you promise me, monsieur, to
tell me the exact truth-al that you
see and hear, no matter how painful it
may be for me?'
81 swear it, upon my word OF honor"
Then, with a strength Of which
few minutes before he would not have
believed himself possessed, Prosper
raised the ladder and placed the last
round on his shoulder.
Mount" he said
NJ. Norduret rapidly assembled the
ladder without even shaking it till his
head was on level with the window.
Prosper had seen but too well. There
was Madeleine at this hour of the
night alone with Raoul de Layers
She still wore her wraps. She was
standing in the middle of the room,
talking with great animation. Her at
tltudc. her look, her gestures, betrayed
indignant scorn. Raoul was seated on
chair by the fire, stirring up the
Goals with pair of ton"S. Every now
and then he would shrug his shoulders,
like man resigned to everything he
heard and had no answer except, Il
cannot help it,"
NJ, Nerduret would willingly have
given the diamond ring he wore on his
finger TO be able to hear ten words Of
what was said, but the roaring wind
completely drowned their voices. and
he dared not place his ear too close.
for fear of being seen.
"rhey are evidently quarreling," he
thought, "but 1t is not Il lovers quar-.
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