The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-01-10

Vandal, Reber and Robello were still
some few feet away as the lantern
swung low over the white upturned
face of Buckford Wallace, and the
three agricultursts bent to examine
the handsome features.
"My faith in God!" exclaimed Vol
ner. "That young man looks not like
thief"
Nevertheless such he is, and moth
ing else. In his pockets you will find
nearly thousand francs he stole from
our room at the inn at Ontro."
"And did you know the fellow" ask
ed Debbisk
"Know him! He is wanted just now
by the Paris police. We had, in fact,
journeyed from Paris to find him."
Hum! Let me think" said Farm
er Volner. II am not sure of your
truth, strangers. Men are often rob-
bed at Ontro; it is fact. But the rob-
handsome fellows like this. Come.
We will examine his wound, and if he
| is not dead we will take him to the
house."
For what?" demanded Vandal.
"Does he not belong to us?'
"Not exactly" said Volner, with a
laugh. ''Under the wise rule of our
beloved prince, that thing is settled.
A chase, wounded even in the Green
| forest, if it runs or flies to occupied
| ground, belongs to the tenant or owner
of that ground. Had this young man
been wild pig or Il deer or a goose
it would now belong to me. l shall ap-
ply the rule to this young man."
81 protest. He robbed us. We are
French gentlemen. We claim him."
Gentlemen, if he is dead you may
have him. If he is but wounded, he
shall have a chance to tell his story
as my name is Volner."
"Volner! Your name Volner"
"My name is Sester Volner, at your
service"
This information seemed to disquiet
Vandal considerably.
Without noticing the effect of his
name on the Frenchman, which, in
deed, he could not see without con-
spicuous use of the lantern, Vo!ner
bent down and lifted the wounded man
i'll his powerful arms
1--WE will get him to the top, where
we can examine him." he said.
10 Volner that burden was as moth
ing. The lantern was carried by Deb
bisk in such manner as to throw it's
CLEANS ahead. Volner led the way.
Then came Debbisk and his partner,
both employees of Volner
Then followed the three discounted
Frenchmen, who had, by the unfortu-
nate claim of Vandal that they had
come from Paris to trace Buckford,
lost the opportunity of posing as the
invited guests of Casparin.
Up the steep bank toiled Volner
Buckford uttered groan.
"Goodw said Debbisk. "He is not
dead. Thank God for that!''
Course that Americana whispered
Vandal to Reber. HE cannot be kill
ed, it seems. If that fool gets him to
his house and brings him back to con-
seriousness, he will tell the whole story
Not only will the plot of our friend be
defeated, but undoubtedly we shall be
pursued and shot"
"Yes. Mon Dieu! Almost anything
Is better than that" whispered Reber
in alright.
'"Then do you and Robello stand by
me now! None of your cowardice.
Stick to me like men now, and we will
get the youngster away and finish him.
Now, at the word, fire into the backs of
these two fellows. After that the old
man. One, two. three"
Fortunately for Debbisk. Reber, the
immortal blunderer, clicked his revolv-
er full minute before it was to be
time to fire. Like flash the two young
farmers had turned. and two heavy
clubs descended with terrific force on
the skulls of Reber and Robello. Re
Der sank to the ground with a gasp
while Robello, less injured, staggered,
felt his head and then fired at his as
sailant. At the same moment Vandal
| fired into the face of Debbisk.
Heavens! What is this?" roared
Farmer Volner, dropping his groaning
burden and springing into the fray.
He came none too soon, for Debbisk
was lying on the ground his compan-
ion was in the grasp of Robello and
the recovered Reber, and Vandal was
drawing knife to spring upon him.
With a mighty oath the enraged
farmer hurled his ponderous body on
| Vandal and sent him headlong to the
bottom of the ravine. He then grab
bed both Reber and Robello and crack
ed their heads together till the two
skulls almost split from front to rear.
Hurting them from him, he quickly
made sure his workman was not hurt
and swore Justify again.
"Can you manage Debbisk?" he ask
ed. I'VE must get these two wounded
ones to the house and come back for
those .sascals. Thief! know who the
thieves are now"
The two men struggled out of the ra-
vine. Buckford was carried easily by
Volner. Debbisk. however, who was
heavy man, was half dragged and
half carried by his associate.
| In this way the party traversed a
field. struck again into the farm path
they had quit at the sound of the pis-
tolls and hurried toward the lights that
streamed from the windows of the
/ house.