The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-19

all l know that concerns you"
"Ah, monsieur ! thank you from my
heart
Yes you thank me. but do you
agree?'
"of course. monsieur! What else could
l think OF doing2"
Good then. Now llstenl can tell
from reading these articles that the es-
cape of the prisoner. the presence Of Cas-
parin in Paris and great plot against
the security OF France, are interviewer: I:
hence. as you can perceive, madame, II
is important TO seize at once the conspi-
rators against our government When we
have them, we shall have no difficulty
In securing the American. Now for your
part. You. madame, are a woman OF
splendid proportions. | think your gar
ments would about fit me. So prepare me
a complete outfit Of clothing, and let II
be OF the newest you have"
"Ha, ha. oh, is that trihing service
all that monsieur requires? Indeed, mon
sieur could have my entire wardrobe for
his generosity. / will transform mon
sieur into a fine madame in short time.
She laughed gleefully as she spoke. She
turned 10 a closet at one end of the
room 10 bring the required garments.
First, let me examine the closet" said
Buckford.
He convinced himself that there was no
hidden exit.
door OF the closet he missed witnessing
a peculiar, indescribable smile that played
for the moment on the fact OF Nine. du
Barry.
In Nine. du Barrys mind there were
flashing thoughts almost as rapidly as
had been the case with Buckfords.
She had at no time doubted that he
was an agent Of police. She lived day
and night i'm dread of these prosecutors
of her kind. She did not doubt his story
that he had searched her house and found
the prisoner gone.
But she did doubt his story that Vandal
was intending 10 desert her. She had
been Vandals friend too long to doubt
him now.
She cared little for Casparin, Reber
or Robello. But she must save Vandal.
her lover.
She was smiling at the simplicity of
this agent of police. He was going TO
wear one of her dresses and track Van
dal. She could describe the dress 10
Vandal, and the police agent would fall
a victim to his own trap.
She took a new and somewhat gay
gown from the wardrobe. AT some
new and convulsing thought her face
twitched with i'll disguised mirth. Buck
ford saw this.
At his command she continued to bring
forth various portions of a woman's COM
plete outfit.
He took off his own shoes and put on
a pair OF Nine. du Barry's, which fitted
very well, though pretty tight for
young man who loved comfort
Never mind" he said. 1T will give
me mncing gait"
Nine. du Barry laughed.
Now madam, small valice, II
you have one"
Mime. du Barry had almost everything
She produced valise.
Into this Buckford packed his coat, yes,
and such small items as collars, scarf.
cuffs, all of which he still wore. as
they had not been taken from him in
the depot They were, to be sure, much
soiled and bedraggled. But he did nct
know when he might need them before he
purchased more. and he could easily
wash them and iron them, not as a laun-
dry sends them home. but at least clean.
over his trousers he put Nine du Barr
rvs skirts. He then added womans
vest front and a waist and fastened Nine
du Barry's little silk tie at his throat.
One thing was in his favor. He had
neither beard or moustache.
A slight growth Of hair could be seen
on his lip. but no more than Nine. du
Barry's own.
Mime. du Barry, choking with laughter,
since the affair had become so good
joke, exclusively her own, fastened some
false hair to his head. first tying knots
in his own TO make a safe hold for the
fastenings. A bonnet completed the dis
guise. though gloves. a fan and other
accessories were all at hand
In point of fact Buckford. after Nine.
du Barry had added hundred feminine
touches that he would never have thought
OF, made younger and handsomer wo-
man than Nine. du Barry herself and with
his fairer skin looked scarcely so mascu-
line as she did.
l,.. sel,
your friend Nine. Delatouche. who has
been visiting you. is about to depart for
her home I'm another city, you will accept
her invitation to accompany her for
short stay"
''Eh? What is that. monsieur" she fall
tered
Pardon me. there is no monsieur here.
I said come home with me, madame"
"oh, but. monsieur mean madame-I
cannot!"
but you mustf'
There was no mistaking the meaning In
that voice. without further remonstrance
Nine. du Barry slowly began preparing
for a journey that might lead her-she
knew not where
You see, madame. am not certain
when our friends will return TO this
house. do not intend you shall have the
opportunity TO betray me to Vandal"
Curses, He had seen that smile.
But still Nine. du Barry, even az sle
ruefully prepared to accompany him
smiled again.
They left the house, Buckford accom-
plishing a gait that was mincing enough
TO satisfy anybody who loved minc'ng
gait lie was n fascinating person TO
Nine du Barry. who could scarcely Keep
from bursting into laughter at the sight
OF him.
But then Nine. du Barry knew the Sc
cret To one who did not know, Buckford,
or Nine Delatouche. as he called HIM
self. was nothing more than one OF the
stout. overdressed females so common in
the French or any other capital.
Buckfords first act, so he planned.
would be to go direct TO the hotel of the
Prince Of Deneslla and, II that potentate
had not already left Paris, tell him the
entire story and ask his assistance. III
the prince had departed. nothing then re-
NAMED but to so to Trolle, the capital
OF Deneslla. as quickly as possible and
before the plotters reached there, II such
speed could be encompassed.
Buckford was about TO call cab when
he made movement that appeared ridic-