Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-03-22


Vesinet. we come upon two
1@: roads. One. to the left, mac
~ adamized 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
M. 7erduret could distinguish the
lamps of q cab similar to the one be
occupied about fifty yards ahead Of
him. Alighting from the cab. be hand
ed the driver bank note.
"Here." be said. lis what ! promised
you. 60 to the first tavern you find on
the right hand side Of the road as
you enter the village. II we are not
there. you are at liberty to return to
Paris"
The driver was profuse In his thanks.
but neither Prosper nor bis companion
heard them. They had already started
up the new road The weather. which
had been inclement when they set out.
was now worse The rain fell In tor
rents, and a furious wind howled dis
mally through the branches Of the
trees. ri. verduret and Prosper haG
been walking along the muddy road
for about FIVE minutes when suddenly
the latter stopped.
This Is Raoul's house." be said.
Before the gate Of an isolated house
stood the cab which they had follow.
ed. Reclining on his seat. wrapped In
q 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 bis
cloak and said In low voice:
"Hello. my man."
Tbe-driver started and. mechanically
gathering his reins. yawned out "All
right"
But when by the light of the carriage
lamps he saw two men in this lonely
spot he imagined that they wanted his
purse and perhaps his life.
~ am engaged" he cried out as he
cracked his whip in the air. II am
waiting here for some one"
81 know that, you fool" replied M.
verduret. land only wish to ask you q
question which you can gain five
francs by answering. Did you not
bring q middle aged lady here?'
This question. this premise of five
francs. instead Of reassuring the coach
man, increased his alarm.
II have already told you I am wait
ing for some one." he said. "Move on
or will call for help"
NJ. Verduret 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 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 q sudden spring remarkable
for 80 big a 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 the wall. 1t was now
Prosper's turn TO climb up; but. though
much younger than his companion. he
had not his agility. and NJ. Verdure'
was obliged to pull him up. then help
ed him down on the other side. Once
In the garden. NJ. Verduret took in the
situation. The house occupied by Nj
de Lagors was built in the middle Of
large garden. 1t was narrow, two sto
ries high and with garrets.
Only one window. in the second sto
ry, was lighted.
"You have often been here and know
the house?" said NJ. verduret. "Wha
room Is that where we see the light"
"Raoups bedchamber."
every good What rooms are on tht
first foorr
1.-THE kitchen. pantry. billiard rool
and dining ROOM"
"And on the floor above"
1.-TWO parlors, separated by folding
doors, and study"
"Where do the servants sleep"
"Raoul has none now. He Is served
by q man and his wife, who come II
the morning and 60 after dinner"
NJ. Verduret rubbed his hands glee
fully.
"An right" he said. There is moth
ing to prevent our hearing what Raou
has to say to this person who has come
from Paris at 10 o'clock at night to SEE
him. Let US 60 in"
But unfortunately the heavy oal
door was locked. NJ. Verduret shook i
in vain.
"What IN oversight" he said, witt
vexation. 81 ought to have brought m!
instruments with me. A common loci
which could be opened with nail. ant
l have not even piece Of wire"
Recognizing the uselessncss Of an at
tempt to open the door. be tried sue
cessively every window on the grount
floor. Alas. every blind was securel!
fastened on the inside.
M. verduret was exasperated. H'
prowled around the house like TO!