Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-23


[" AID the scene Of the plot we
Il i have pictured been In Denes-
ETYYygEW liza instead of Paris it is doubt.
GGGMy full if the brother of the ruling
prince would have openly associated
with creatures so low in the human
scale as Vandal, Reber and Robello.
But Casparin was in Paris His re-
lationship to the noble prince was un.
known except to the few rascals he
had employed to do his work, and his
own tastes were SO near like those Of
Vandal and his associates that he
found 1t not only convenient, but a
source of pleasure, to be with them in
their orgies as well as in their serious
plottings.
1t was therefore quartet well pleas
ed with its own component parts that
rolled toward the house Of Nine. du
Barry that evening after they had en-
joyed the treat promised by Casparin.
OF the four Casparin was the nearest
sober. Reber and Robello, never hav-
ing had the money to indulge in such
roistering as Nandal lived in and Cas-
parin loved, were the drunkest Be-
tween them Vandal maintained a
drunken, owl-like solemnity Of coun-
tenance which would have been com
zeal if the countenance had been intel
lectual. AS it was, it was merely
beastly.
For one l am tired out" grumbled
Reber, staggering up against Vandal
and cursing him for not walking
straight 81 am going to bed"
Not quite yet" replied Vandal. "Do
you forget the job we have on hand to-
night? The body of the American must
be got rid Of"
YES" said Casparin. 'That is why
came home with you. / must see
that disposed of. We must have no
bad breaks now. My brother is gone,
and we must start within few days"
"The sooner the better" said Vandal.
81 shall not be sorry to earn that re-
ward"
"Nor Iw "Nor II! added Reber and
Robello.
II have been thinking about that fell
low up stairs there" said Casparin.
1.-THE police now have convinced them
selves-brilliant police-that the Amer
lean who escaped from the Palais de
Justice murdered the American who
helped him out. A little study would
show them how absurd that theory is,
but we are fortunate in having police
to deal with who do not study. But
now, if they find the body of this Amer
lean In the same place as the other-or
If they find it at all-what will be the
result? They will know at once that
both Americans have fallen among
those who wished them out of the way.
We do not wish to court an investiga-
ton now. We must hide that fellow
where he will not be found"
"As to that, we might have done it
before" said Vandal. 1--WE can bury
him In the cellar. But you had other
plans"
4 Eyes, know I did. 1 thought il
would puzzle the police in a different
way. did not think they would prove
SO stupid as they seem now. 1t is bet.
ter to leave them in their stupid error
than to stir the mess all up again"
1 81 agree" said Vandal
II agreew II agreew said Reber and
Robello.
This delightful quartet reached the
] house Of Nine. du Barry and stood out
side looking stupidly-at least all but
Casparin, who knew little of the place
at the windows, which were darkened
but which were usually ablaze with
light till nearly morning
what is wrong herew muttered
Vandal. mime. du Barry must be i'll
The house looks like funeral"-
ut will be a place Of funeral soon,
chuckled Reber. "That chap l found
on the bridge! Ho, no! He didn't know
what was good for him. But, after all
what is the difference between the eel
lar of madames house and the Seine?
eyes, whatw added Robello.
"Shut up" said Vandal roughly. 81
tell you l don't like this. 1t means
something"
Vandal, being a favorite of ma
|, DANES and having use for her con
venient house sometimes when she wal
out, carried key. He opened the door
The hall was dimly lighted. A serv
ant sat nodding in the hail.
Hello, Francois! What Is this.
Where is madameT asked Vandal.
! Francois looked up sleepily.
/ II don't know, monsieur" he said
IT have not seen madame since She
went this morning to lie down will
her headache. She. is Out so much