The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-21
CHAPTER X.
FOUR AGAINST ONE.

Robard, the man who kept the inn at
Ontro, was a Denesllan who had married
q Prussian woman. These worthy people
were supposed TO make their living keep
ing the inn. The Inn at Ontro sheltered such
travellers as chanced TO come that way
and were forced TO remain over night. a
thing that no traveller knowing his busi-
ness ever did.
The inn also sheltered n band of rob-
bers and cutthroats. the chief members
OF which wke the four billiard players
that had Jumped upon Vandal
In response TO the cries for Robard
that gentleman, a round and ruddy faced
rascal. came pulling in.
Here, here! What is the matter?
Have you lost your senses?" he demand
ed. "Have you no sense whatever? is
this the place to knock down travellers
and take their coin? Oh! You will hang
out a sign next Travellers Neatly
Robbed Here
shut up. you fool,' exclaimed one of
the men who sat on Vandals head. 1--WE
are not robbing this fellow. We caught
him trying TO rob you.
loud laugh greeted this witty speech.
take the silver?"
''Oh. no. lie took nothing But he was
trying to rob you OF the good hausfraus
smiles"
"oh, OH Such lmpudence! Have you
already killed the beast?"
Not quite" said another of the gang.
'T feel him painting under me. However,
I think killing none too heavy "A punish
ment. What do you say. Papa Robard?"
"Wen now. after all, | think we had
better go SLOW" said third. The Eel
low has been severely punished. What
did he do, after all. more than a dozen
gallant gentlemen I'm Ontro have done.
He simply admired our good Mother Ro-
bard"
"Sol Well Il must have been the new
gown | tell YOU" said Papa Robard,
"that gown is the thing to make the old
woman look smart.
'It was the gown!' came a struggling
strangling voice from under two men.
"Let me up, Let me upl can explain!"
This Is what / was about 90 say"
added the former speaker. Here we are
humping the life out man just because
Frau Robard screamed. Ard where IL
she now? She fed from the scene. Give
the fellow a chance to explain
with evident reluctance they got up
from Vandals PROSTATE body and ne
slowly and painfully got TO his feet.
''Tho devil! You fellows are brave!'
ne said, with a pun and groan. -Four
TO one. Well, / must say 1t is not the
way we do I'm France"
"Hoi France I have been there"
sald Robard. They don't give you a
chance 60 explain there. The garrote; the
vobbery; the morgue!'
"Give the fellow chance TO explain.
! sayi" insisted the advocate of fair
play.
Vandal staggered 10 a chair and beg
ged for n glass OF cagnac. This Was
Brought 90 him. and after swallowing
that and gathering his wits and ner-
gie she began his explanation.
"You see" he said Il and my two
companions were--where are they now?
They deserted me In my need. Find the
fools. / bg, or they will create dis
turbance. They will run half way
through Deneslia telling that ] am being
murdered here"
The one who seemed TO be the leader
OF the gang was as rndch alarmed az this
ss Vandal seemed TO be. lie at once
stepped outside and gave orders TO some
hangers on TO find the two strangers In
Ontro and return them To the inn with
every assurance OF safety
This matter having been attended 10,
vandal resumed:
"You see. ! and my companions came
from Paris IN search OF n young fellow whU
had robbed us--that is. robbed n friend OF
mine OF several thousand francs"
What IS Is the fellow Is saying?
asked Frau b7tnrd, who has returned