The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-07-17

.ss ,IE
cracked his whip in the air. "I am
waiting here for some one"
II know that, you fool" replied NJ
Verduret, .and only wish to ask you a
question which you can gain five
francs by answering. Did you not
bring middle aged lady here?' i,
This question, this promise Of five
francs, instead Of reassuring the coach
man, increased his alarm.
II have already told you am wait
ing for some one" he said. "Move on
or will call for help
M. Verduret drew back quickly.
"Come away" he whispered to Pros
per- "The beast wlfdo as he says and,
the alarm once given, farewell to our
projects. We must find some other en-
trance than by this gate.'r' sf 4 p:
They went along the wall surround
ing the garden in, search Of a place
where it was possible to climb.
This was 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 a sudden spring remarkable
for so big man, seized one of the pro-
jecting stones above him, drawing him
self up by the aid of his hands and
feet to the top of tile wall. 1t was now
Prosper's turn TO climb up; but, though
much younger than his companion, he
had not his agility, and NJ. Verduret
was obliged to pull him up, then help
ed him down on the other side Once
in the garden, M. Verduret took in the
situation The house occupied by NJ
de Layers was built in the middle of a
large garden. It was narrow, two sto->
ries high and with garrets.
Only one window. in the second sto-
~, was lighted.
'You have often been here and know
the house?' said M. Verduret What
room is that where we see the light?"
"Raoul's bedchamber."
every good. What rooms are on the
first f1otrf'
'"The kitchen, pantry, billiard room
and dining room"
ana on the uOOr ABOVE e.
1.-TWO parlors, separated by folding
doors, and study"
"Where do the servants sleep?"
"Raoul has none now. He is served
by a man and his wife, who come in
the morning and go after dinner"
Nj. Verduret rubbed his hands glee-
fully.
Gail 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 go 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
I have not even piece of wire!'
Recognizing the uselessness Of an at
cessively every window on the ground
floor. Alas, every blind was securely
fastened on the inside.
M. Verduret was exasperated. He
prowled around the house like fox
around hen coop, seeking an en-
trance. Despairingly he came back to
the place in front of the house whence
he had the best view of the lighted
| window.
IF I could only look inv' he cried.
F'1n there" pointing to the window, sis
the solution of the mystery, and we are
cut off from it by thirty or forty feet
of these two stories. l must see, and l
will seer
Suddenly Prosper seemed to remem-
Der something.
''There is ladder herey' he cried.
"Why didn't you tell me? Where is
it?"
"At the end of the garden, under the
trees"
They ran to the spot, and in a few
minutes the ladder was up against the
| house. But to their chagrin they found
that there We're six good feet between
| the top of the ladder and the lighted
window.
ave cannot reach it," exclaimed
| Prosper.
eve must reach itr' cried M. verdu-
ret.
And he quickly placed himself a yard
off from the house and, Selling the
ladder, cautiously raised it, resting the
bottom round on his shoulders, at the
same time holding the two uprights
firmly and steadily with his hands.
The obstacle was overcome.
'Now mount" he said to his compan-
ion.
The situation was distressing for
Prosper, but he did not hesitate. He
made sudden spring and, selling the
lower rounds, quickly climbed up the
ladder, which swayed and trembled
beneath his weight. But his head had
scarcely passed above the lighted win
dow when he uttered cry which was
drowned in the roaring tempest and
dropped like a log, down on the wet
|