The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-01-03

some valuaDleS and some fine clothing
We traced the rascal to Strassburg
and then from city to city and almost
through Prussia. We lost the trail al
last, but the direction had steadily
been toward Deneslia, and, knowing
that he had friends here. we believed
he would make for this country.
I'VE knew that he left Paris in the
disguise of woman. He arrived al
Strassburg in the same disguise. And
now the mysterious part of it is this
that he wore a gown the counterpart
of the one Frau Robard now has on
am sure of this, and was so sure that
the moment l set eyes on the gown
believed the wearer of it to be the
thief
! 'To make sure, | stepped up to the
lady, and thinking more than ever that
was right rudely raised her head in
order to see her face. Imagine my
amazement and CONSERVATION when
beheld the sweet face of good Frau
Robard. Oh, 1 assure you, gentlemen
it was most grievous error on my
part, and no one could regret it more
/ than l did, especially when l felt youl
| billiard cues ramming me in the stom.
ach
"Well, the evil is not so great, if the
| good frau can forgive me.'
! A look Of great significance passed
from Robard to the younger of the
four, who was his son.
"And you say this fellow was q
| thief?' asked the elder Robard. "How
much did you say he stole?"
| 1t flashed into the mind of Vandal
francs was not sufficient loss to cause
three men to chase across Europe al
an expense beyond that to recover it.
"Why, so far as we could ascertain, ~
he answered, "the rascal took in money
| $4,000 francs, several diamond orna-
ments, ladies' jewelry and a fine gold
watch"
Another flash of intelligence from old
Robard to his son.
'Well, my FRIEND" said the old man
81 can explain the matter of the gown
very easily. There came to this inn
from the train yesterday a young man
who claimed to be peddler In fact
| he had valise, and in that valise he
carried this gown, which he offered for
sale. 1t took the fancy of my wife at
once, and she made bargain with
him. She took the gown, he took the
money, spent the night here and this
morning departed"
"What sort of a man? How did he
| Iook?" asked Vandal
"Oh. a young fellow. He spoke
French, but fancied he was more like
those accursed English. He spoke also
| German to the wife"
Smooth face, dark brown hair, good
eyes?'
1.-THE same. Evidently the same.
Though a thief who steals like that
would not own good eyes long"
"Oh, this fellow was 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, 1 do
not remember. l think he went on
toward Trolle. At least he purchased
horse of me-"
At this point the two frightened as
| sociates were brought in, and their
eyes opened at seeing the man they
had left at the bottom of heap strug-
Cling for life now at the top of the
heap with the interest and attention
of all concentrated on him.
"Our man has gone ON toward
Trolle," said Vandal. "Our friends
here did not know they were letting q
prize slip through their fingers. Why,
there is prize of 5000 francs offered
the man to them. Oh, you should have
held him!'
Again that quick flash from father
| to son.
81 suggest" said Vandal, "that, now
our explanation is complete and good
will established, we drink the health of
the Frau Robard and get some rest.
In the morning we will continue our
| journey"
81 agree. 1 agree" said Reber and
| Robello.
In an hour the three were in bed,
and consultation was being held be-
low between Robard and his son.
'Well, luck has at last come to u.s.
| chuckled the old villain to the younger
one. 'Twelve thousand francs, dia-
monds and watch on him and 5000
francs for returning him to the Paris
| police. But where is all that money
Six hundred francs only we found"
''Well, we took his purse, thinking
that contained all his wealth. A ped
dler with GOO francs is rare bird.
But 10000! Is he safe for awhile yet?''
"Well, l gave him good dose. But,
God, suppose l had killed him, as in
tended at first, and lost that 5000
francsi Oh, IL those three wise French
men only knew their thief was asleep
in this house! Well, we would have to
| kill them. We mu9a not lose this prize"
From this delec, able conversation IL
will readily be gathered that only a
| portion of the story told by Robard to
Vandal was true. Buckford, as will
be remembered, gave Nine. du Barry
the slip at Strassburg, He left Strass-
burg by the first train toward Deneslia
and on the way managed to resume his
natural appearance and placed the
| gown of Nine du Barry in his yaliSe