The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1902-01-17
CHAPTER TX.
THE INN AT oNTBo.

have pictured been I'm Denes-
WT7yN lia instead of Paris il is doubt.
ysSsy 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 &c the noble prince was un-
known except to the few rascals lie
had employed to do his work, and his
own tastes We're SO near like those OF
Nandal and his associates that he
found 1t not only convenient, but a
source of pleasure, TO be with them in
their orgies as well as in their serious
plottings.
1t was therefore a quartet well pleas
ed with its own component parts that
rolled toward the house of Nine. du
Barry that evening after they had en-
Joyed the treat promised by Casparin.
, OF the four Casparin was the nearest
sober. 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 a
drunken, owl-like solemnity of coun-
tenance which would have been COM
zeal If the countenance had been intel
lectual. AS it was, II was merely
beastly.
For one l am tired out" grumbled
Reber, staggering up against Vandal
and cursing him for not walking
straight. Il am going to bed"
you forget the job we have on hand to-
night? The body of the American must
be got rid Of"
YES" said Casparin. "That is why
l came home with you. must see
that disposed Of. We must have no
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 L.? "Nor H." added Reber and
Robello.
II have been thinking about that fell
Cow up stairs there" said Casparin.
THE police now have convinced them
selves-brlliant police-that the Amer
Justice murdered the American who
helped him out \ little study would
show them how absurd that theory is,
but we are fortunate in having police
10 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 1t 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 10 court an investiga-
ton now. We must hide that fellow
where he will not be found,
'As to that, we might have done it
before" said Vandal. I'VE can bury
him in the cellar. But you had other
plans"
Yes, / know l did. ! thought it
would puzzle the police in 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"
Il agree" said Vandal.
81 agreev' IL agreew said Reber 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 were usually ablaZe with
light till nearly morning.
what is wrong herer' muttered
Vandal. mime. du Barry must be i'll
The house looks like a funeraP'-
Ut will be place of funeral soon,"
Shuckled Reber. THAT chap l found
In the bridge! Ho, no! He didn't know
What was good for him. But, after ALL
what is the difference between the Gel
lar of madame's house and the SeineT'
Eyes, what?' added Robello.
"Shut up" said Vandal roughly. 81
tell you l don't like this. 1t means
something"
Vandal, 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 serv-
ant sat nodding in the hall.
"Hello, Francois! What is this
Where is madame?" asked Vandal.
Francois looked up sleepily.
II don't know, monsieur" he said.
st 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?"
mot a word, monsieur"
''That is strange. Well, sit up for
madame. We are going up stairs. In a
short time you may hear us moving
about. We may even bring our own
wine from the cellar. There will be no
need of attending us. Do you under
statdT
f 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 had
held the conference overheard by
n,,okford