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


$500 adamizcd and kept in perfect
repair leads to the village, of which
there are glimpses here and there
through the trees. The other, newly
laid out and just covered with gravel,
leads through the woods At the juno.
ton of these two roads Prosper stop
ped the cab. The driver had gained
his hundred francs. The horses were
completely worn out, but before long
NJ. Verduret could distinguish the
lamps of a cab similar to the one he
occupied about fifty yards ahead Of
him. Alighting from the cab, he hand
ed the driver bank note.
Here" he said. lis what promised
you. Go to the first tavern you find on
the right hand side OF the road as
you enter the village. If we are not
there. you are at liberty to return to
Paris"
The driver was profuse in his thanks,
but neither Prosper nor his companion
heard them. They had already started
up the new road. The weather, which
had been Indictment when they set out,
was now worse The rain fell in tor.
rents. and a furious wind Aowled dis.
mally through the branches of the
trees. NJ. Verduret and Prosper had
been walking along the muddy road
for about five minutes when suddenly
the latter stopped.
This is Raoul's house." he said.
Before the gate OF an isolated house
stood the cab which they had follow.
ed. Reclining on his seat, wrapped in
o thick cloak, was the driver, who. in
spite Of the pouring rain. was already
asleep, evidently waiting for the per-
son whom he had brought to this
house.
NJ Verduret went to him, pulled his
cloak and said in a low voice:
Hello, my man"
The driver started and. mocha nically
gathering his reins. yawned out, "All
right"
But when by the light of the carriage
lamps he saw two men in this lonely
spot be imagined that they wanted his
purse and perhaps his life.
81 am engaged" be cried out as he
cracked his whip in the air. III am
waiting here for some one"
Il know that you fool" replied NJ.
Ferduret, "and only wish to ask you a
question which you can gain five
francs by answering. Did you not
bring middle aged lady here?"
This question, this promise Of five
francs, instead of reassuring the coach
man, increased his alarm.
Il have already told you l am wait
~ for some one" he said. "Move on
Or l will call for help"
NJ. Nerduret drew back quickly.
Come away" he whispered to Pros.
PER. The beast will do as he says and,
the alarm once given, farewell TO our
projects. We must find some other en-
trance than by this gate"
They went along the wall surround
ing the garden in search Of a place
where it was possible to climb.
This gas difficult to discover in the
dark, the wall being twelve feet high.
Fortunately NJ Verduret was very
agile, and, having decided upon the
spot to be scaled, he drew back and.
making sudden spring remarkable
for so big man, seized one Of the pro-
jectiug stones above him. drawing him
self up by the aid of his hands and
feet 10 the top of the wall. 1t was now
ProSper's turn 10 climb up; but, though
much younger than his companion, he
had not his agility, and NJ. Nerdurct
was obliged to pull him up, then help
ed him down on the other side, Once
in the garden, NJ. Ncrduret took in the
situation The house occupied by NJ.
de Layers was built in the middle of
large garden. 1t was narrow, two sto-
ries high and with garrcts.
Only one window, in the second sto-
ry, was lighted.
you have often been here and know
the house, said NJ. Vcrduret. what
room is that where we see the light"
'Raours bedchamber."
Every good. What rooms are on the
first fioor?'
"The kitchen, pantry, billiard room
and dining room"
'And on the floor above"
1.-TWO parlors, separated by folding
doors and a study"
'Where do the servants Sleep"
"Raoul has none now. He is served
by man and his wife, who come in
the morning and 90 after dinner"
NJ. Verduret rubbed his hands glee-
fully.
"All right" he said. "There is moth
Ing to prevent our hearing what Raoul
has TO say to this person who has come
from Paris at 10 o'clock at night to see
him. Let us 90 in"
But unfortunately the heavy oak
door was locked. NJ. Verduret shook it
in vain.
"What an oversight" he said with
veXation. 81 ought to have brought my
instruments with me- A common lock
which could be opened with nail, and
l have not even piece Of wire!"
Recognizing the uselessness of an at
tempt to open the door, he tried sue
cessively every window on the ground
floor, Alas, every blind was securely
fastened on the inside.
NJ. NerdGlVt was eXasperated. He
proWlcd around the house like a fox
around II len coop. seeking an en-.
trance. Dcsmiringly he came back 60
the place in front Of the house whence
he had the best view Of the lighted
window.