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


stupelying drug.
lie lay on his bed expecting some one 10
come TO him. lie knew that I'm any inn
any well regulated inn-When "a guest
slept too long there would be an inves-
tigatlon
But the hours passed and no one
came.
Buckford had a feeling as II he had
been IN a long time. He knew that one
day had elapsed since he came there, but
knew not how many more.
The longer he lay there the better he
lelt. The strength was returning TO his
limbs
lie did not even feel the pangs of
hunger
lie al last got out OF bed and went 20
the door to call some one. lie found IL
locked
| There was another door on another side
! OF the room. lis opened tnat az led into
a space now evidently used as a closet,
but from which, on the opposite side, an
! other door led somewhere. This he tried,
but could do notnlng save push. as there
was neither knob nor latch.
| " Mhile he was in the closet he heard
voices
The fellow is the very devil for es-
Gaping" said a voice. First ne eludes
US at Paris, then at Strassburg and now
at Ontro IL Is pity o.d hoDard did
not hold him. That 5000 francs would
4 pay tor the trouble.
Bucklords heart beat rapidly. lie
! recognized the voice OF Nandal
Has he gone 70 Trolle as a peddler?"
asked Reber. This Is strange game.
Why did he sell the gown TO that wo-
rilan?"
/ "Oh. to get money TO buy the horse.
/ suppose But that was gay story
about his stealing diamonds and 1900
/ francs. Well. / had 70 say something.
a II4 AL
Europe for 1000 francs"
Buckford. painting in the closet. won
dered what IL all meant Evidently theS
were under the impression that he had
gone on toward Trole They had also
/ been told that he had sold the woman the
gown when he had presented It TO her
These things. together with his strange
sensation OF illness. made him suspicious.
He stepped quickly back 70 his room and
1 felt for his purse. II was gone.
"Ah!" ne said bitterly. Il have fallei.
among thieves again. This rascal OF an
innkeeper has robbed me. Now, how
shall / get out OF this scrape with no
money and my enemies In the very
! house?'
He crept back to the closet.
The three pursuers of the thief who
stole so much wealth had been given
two connecting rooms. Reber and Ro-
bello occupicd one, ard Vandal was alone
on while they were preparing for bed,
was necessarily a little loud. Buckford
heard IL easily.
How FAR is Trolle from here?" Ro-
bello was asking. when will he arrive
there?"
How old is a goose? II all depends on
the horse the innkecper sold him. III II
was a good one he can do il in two
days
Two days. Ard we are a day behind
him"
We'll. we will get tho best horses to
be had and try TO overtake him saw
some horses in the stable today-not
handsome beasts but strong, and they
looked speedy"
I The stable! Did you find a stable?
This inn Is the only stable l saw"
We'll there is a stable for horses in
I the rear"
The conversation now ceased. and Buck
ford went back to his room. He was
now In a thrill OF excitement. He had
> lost his sense OF illness. Ills mind was
! alert and quick. His eagerness TO ind
\ way 10 escape had overcome the enect
I of the drug.
He had taken off his clothes before
retiring and now dressed himself. He
then made an examination OF his room
He remembered that the window looked
( out toward a large building, tor he had
I seen IL at the twilight hour when he had
/ entered This must be the stable spoken
of by vandal. He next cautiously opened
the window, making as little noise as
possible.
/ II was a dark night. there being no
moon and but few stars 10 be seen. The
great peak OF the barn rose like black
mountain a short distance away.
He knew that he was on the ground
floor of the inn. There seemed to be the
roof OF a shed under him.
He was about 10 let himself down from
the window when a key turned In The
lock of hts door, and he heard the voices
OF Robard and his son.
Az the same moment he heard the rois-
tering voices of three or four haif drunk
en- fellows under his window.
He was caught between TWO FORCES. TO
drop from the window at that moment
'vos Ia drop into their HANDS, Robard
would at once call out, and he would De
taken.
While he was debating what to do Ro-
bard and his son entered.
! "Ah. my friend. you have slept Ions
said Robard I'VE feared you were III.
"No. ] was only very weary sald
| Bucktord
The Younger Robard carried a lamp.
Nv the Wrht Of this Buckford saw a
knife sticking from the pocket OF the
elder rascaIs coat.
with a lean Ike that of a panther. he
WH@ on IN old man anu NoTN Iut hiAil
from Tho rocket I'm another instant its
point had found a soft spot between the
robber ribs. , a. a..
sent the Younger Robord reenng ana the
lamp nying against the wall. Bucktord
ran To the window and leaped 10 the rooi
on N. shcd below. From this ne Jumped
down 10 the ground and came plump upon
the r-isterlng larty % four, who were
startled al this sudden ahghtlng OF
( rare bird among them. - -,
'fIo. hol What's this2 a robber' Cali
RorRrdi Cal Robard. Seize this fellow
Hold him until Robard comes!
"l5t,fsV' cried Bucktord as he saw the
window Of his room lighted with red
a.ar. Il am guest OF the inn MY
lamp unset. and the house took nre. rms
yyas the only escape DO YOU seer 49,
l,Fira dr.l RoberG's Inn Is on frel
they shouted. and. sobercd by the terrible
81 aetro.he they re eased Buckford ana
ran TO tho front of the building to gain
au entrance -
alarm ringing from one end OF the house
Then from the window OF the room he
had Ioft came screams and yells of wild
rage and dispair
Murder! Robbery! lie has gone! After