The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-22

\ elers scrambled slowly down their side OF
/ the ravine the other three. accustomed 10
| the spot went more rapidly.
And these held still another advantage
! In the lantern. which aided them
greatly In the descent and the Subsequent
/ search.
And I say again. volner," said the
! young man with the lantern, this may
be another plot against one we love. as
| not the prince expected soon2 His ar
rival has been unaccountably delayed.
| lie was not Trolle yesterday. Could ne
| have come by way OF Ontro. think you?
| He might. he might" said the man
called Volner. "He and his lovely prin-
cess and the sweet Princess Msrie-aii.
| that Deneslia should hold traitors TO these
| threel But Casparin came yesterday
| from Berlin, he told me. lie was at me
again about the rent money. Heavens
! How can ! pay what he demands2"
There is something mysterious lately
about Casparin," said Debbisk. Thing
! you there is any foundation for sus''--
Hush! You are speaking OF the bro,n-
er OF the prince. Here What have We
| here? A man, and young one"
Nandal, Reber and Robello were still
| some feet away as the lantern swung
over the white upturned face OF Buck
ford Wallace, and the three agriculturists
bent 10 examine the handsome features.
MY faith In Cod" exclaimed Volpcr.
THAT young man looks not like a thief"
, Nevertheless such he is, and nothing
else. In his pockets you will find nearly
"a thousand francs he stole from our room
at the inn at Ontro."
And did you know the fellow?'
| asked Debbisk.
Know him! He IL wanted just now
by the Paris police. We had. in fact,
journeyed from Paris 10 find him"
Hum! Let me think" said Farmer
Nolner. Il am not sure OF your truth.
strangers. Men are often robbed at
Ontro; IL is a fact. But the robbers
are not, as rule. young and handsome
fellows like this. Come. We viii ex-
anime his wound. and II he is not dead
we will take him TO the house"
For what7" demanded Vandal
Does he not belong to us?"
mot exactly" said volner, with a
laugh Under the wise rule OF our be-
loved prince. that thing is settled.
chase. wounded even in the green for
est, II IL runs or flies to occupied
ground. belongs to the tenant or owner
OF that ground Had this young man
been a wild pig or a deer or goose II
would now belong TO me. i shall ap-
ply the rule to this young man"
II protest He robbed us. We are
French gentlemen We claim him."
"Gentlemen. II heels dead you may
have him. II he is but wounded. he
shall have a chance to tell his story as
my name is Volner," -
''Volneri Your name voinerY'
MY name is sester volner. at your
service
This information seemed to disquiet
Vandal considerably.
Without noticing the effect of his
name on the Frenchman, which, in
deed. he could not see without con-
spicuous use OF the lantern, Volner bent
down and lifted the wounded man in
his powerful arms.
I'VE will get him to the top, where
we can examine him." he said.
To Volner that burden was as moth
ing The lantern was carried by Deb
bisk i'm such a manner as to throw its
CLEANS ahead Volner led the way.
Then came Debbisk and his partner,
both employees Of Volner.
Then followed the three discounted
Frenchmen, who had. by the unfortu-
nate claim Of Vandal that they had
come from Paris to trace Buckford, lost
the opportunity OF posing as the invit-
ed guests of Casparin.
Up the steep bank toiled Volner.
Buckford uttered a groan.
Good" said Debbisk. He is not
dead Thank God for that"
curse that American!" whispered
Vandal to Reber. HE cannot be killed.
II seems. If that fool gets him to his
house and brings him back to conscious
ness. he viii tell the whole story. Not
only will the plot of our friend be de-
feated, but undoubtedly we shall be
pursued and shot"
Yes Mon Dieul Almost anything
is bette than that whispered Reber
in alright.
Then do you and Robello stand by
me now. None of your cowardice.
Stick 10 me like men now, and we will
get the youngster away and finish him.
Now. at the word FIRE into the backs Of
fhesa two falloyNS that the old
man one, two, three!
Fortunately for Debbisk Reber, the
immortal blunderer, clicked his revolver
a full minute before IL was 20 be time
10 fire. Like a fash the two young
farmers had turned and two heav~,
clubs descended with terrific force on
the skulls OF Reber and Robelo Re
ber sank TO the ground with a gasp.
while Robello, less injured, staggered,
felt his head and then fired at his as
sailant. At the same moment Vandal
fired into the face OF Debbisk.
Heavens! What is this?" roared
Farmer Volner,. dropping his groaning
burdln and springing into the fray.
He came none too soon. for Debbisk
was lying on the ground his compan-
ion was in the grasp OF Robello and the
recovered Reber. and Nandal was draw
ing a knife TO spring upon him.
With mighty oath the enraged
farmer hurled his ponderous body on
Vanda and sent him headlong 90 the
bottom of the ravine. He then grabbed
both Reber and Robello and cracked
their heads together tin the two skulls
almost split from front 10 rear
Hurting them from him he quickly
made sure hts workman was not hurt
and swore Justify again.
Can you manage Debblsk?' he
asked. I'VE must get these two
wounded ones TO the house and come
back for those rascals Thief! | know
who the thieves are nowl'
The two men struggled out Of the ra-
vine. Buckford was carried easily by
Volner. Debbisk. however. who was
a heavy man. was half dragged and
half carried by his associate.
In this way the party traversed a
field. struck again into the farm path
they had quit at the sound OF the pis-
tolls and hurried toward the lights that
streamed from the windows Of the
house.
AS they approached and their heavy
treaS was heard on the paths around
the house the door was thrown sudden
ly open. and n girl appeared therein
Have you found the sheep, father?'
cho qkad N sWaqf Nofpa