The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-21

who robbed friend OF mine OF several
thousand francs I'm money. some valua-
bles and some fine clothing. We traced
the rascal 20 Strassburg. ard then from
city to city and almost through Prussia
We lost the tail al last but the direction
has steadily been toward Dcneslia and
knowing that he had friends here, we be-
iieved he would make for this country
We knew that he left Paris I'm the dis
guise or woman. He arrived at atrags-
burg In the same disguise. And now the
mysterious part OF It is--that he wore a
gown the counterpart OF the one Frau
hopard row has on. l am sure OF this
ana was so sure that the moment | set
eyes on the gown / believed the wearer
TO he the thief
TO make sure. I stepped up 10 the lady.
and, thinking more than ever that I was
right, rudely raised her head I'm order TO
see her face Imagine my amazoment and
CONSERVATION when I beheld the sweet
fact OF good Frau Robard oh. I assure
YOU gentlemen, II was a most grievous
error on my part. and no one could re-
gret II more than | did, especially when
felt your billiard cues ramming me In
the stomach.
Well. the evil is not SO great. II the
good frau can forgive me-"
look OF great significance passed
from Robard to the younger OF the four.
VINO was his son.
And you say this fellow was thief?"
asked the elder Robard. How much did
you say he stole?"
II flashed into the mind OF vandal that
the paltry amount OF a thousand francs
was not sufficient loss 10 cause three
men to chase across Europe at an ex-
pense beyond that 10 recover H.
why, so far as we could ascertain" /"
he answered, "the rascal took I'm money
1900 francs. several diamonds ornaments,
ladies' jewelry and fine gold watch"
Another fash Of intelligence from old
Robard TO his SON.
well. my friend" said the old man,
II can explain the matter OF the gown
very easily. There came 10 this inn from
the train yesterday a young man who
claimed TO be a peddler. In fact, he had
valise, and In that valise he carried
this gown, which he offered for sale "
took the fancy OF my wife at once and
she made a bargain with him. She took
the gown, he took the money. spent the
night here and this morning departed"
What sort OF man? How did ho
look?" asked Vandal
"Oh. a young fellow He spoke French
but fancied he was more like those ac-
cursed English. He spoke also German 10
the Wife
Smooth face. dark brown hair good
eyes?"
'The same. Evidsr tlv the same Though
thief who steals like that would not
own good eyes long"
"Oh this fellow was a good actor. He
can appear to be anything"
He must be a marvel!"
'He Is. Which way did he go?"
"Well. now. to tell the truth. do not
remember. | think he vrnt on toward
ha al h.,r ~
me-
At this point the two frightened asso-
clates were brought in, and their eyes
opened at seeing the man they had left
at the bottom OF a heap struggling for
life now at the top Of the heap with the
.rterest and attention OF all concen ted
On him.
"Our man has gone on toward Trolle."
said vandal "Our friends here did not
know they were letting prize slip
through their fingers WHY there Is
prize Of 5000 francs of red by the Paris
police for the return of the man to them.
oh. YOU should have hold him."
Again that quick fash from father TO
son.
II suggest" said vandal that. now
our explanation is complete and good
Will established we drink the health OF
the Frau Pohard and get some rest In
the morning we Will continue our jour
ney."
II agree agree" said Rsber and Ro-
bello.
In an hour the three were In bed and
a consultatio was being held below be-
tween Robard and his son.
well luck has at last como 10 us"
chuckled the old villain 60 the Young
one. Twelve thousand francs. diamonds
and a watch on him and 5000 francs for
returning him 10 the Paris uolCe. But
where is all that money? Six hundred
francs only we found"
Gwen we took his purse. thinking that
contained all his wealth A pcddler with
coo francs r. a rare bird But 70 600! Is he
safe for awhile yet7'
well I gave hi-n good dose. But.
God. slnnose 7 he'd Killed him as | in
tended at first and lost that 5000 francs!
Oh n those three wise Frenchmen ONLY
knew their thief was asleep In this
house We'll We would have 90 kill them.
We must not lose this prize"
From this dclcctable' conversation II
viii readily be gathered that only a por-
tion OF the story told by Robard to Van
dal was true Buckford. as will be remem-
bered. gave Nine. du Barry the slip at
Strassburg Tie left Strassburg by the
first train toward Deneslia and on the
way managed TO resume his natural ap-
pearance and placed the gown Of Mime.
du Barry Ga his vaiise.
Arriving at Ontro. he had seized the
first opportunity 20 get rid OF the gown
and had presented Il 10 the wife OF his
host
She pleased with the gaudy thing. ac-
cepted a.
Judging that n man who could give
away a gown that was better than any
his wife had ever had must have plenty
OF money, Robard had given the traveller
n room into which he had way OF go-
ing by stealth.
I'm this room he and his son had crept
after the unsuspecting Buckford was
asleep and had drugged him heavily.
They had then proceeded 60 rifle his
Clothes. till. having found his purse, they
had taken Il. leaving him In his stupor
while they thought OF n way 10 either ex-
plain his loss satisfactorily or kill him
81 he made any fuss.
They had given him more OF the deadly
stun than they Intended. and he had slept
all that night and al day.
But as has already been seen. Buck
ford had constitution of iron and rallied
III .rIn ~