Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-10-01
(coNTINuED.l

SelNeS-bFiI!iiut Iln!!Ct--ti!ut t!ic -N!llcl-
lean who escaped from the Palais de
Justice murdered the American who
helped him out. \ 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
ican in the same place as the other--or
IL they tind it ut all-what will be the
result: They will know at once that
bot 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"
LAS to that, we might have done it
before" said Nandal. I'VE can bury
him in the cellar. But you had other
plans"
Yes, l know l did thought it
would puzzle the police in a different
way. did not think they would prove
20 stupid as they seem now. 1t is bet
ter to leave them in their stupid error
than to stir the mess all up again"
II agree" said Nandal.
II agree"' II agree" said Reber and
Robcllo.
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 We're usually ablaze with
light till nearly morning.
What is wrong here" muttered
Vandal. "Mme. du Barry must be i'll.
The house looks like funeral"-
lit will be place of a funeral soon,"
chucAled Rebcr. 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 cell
lar OF madame's house and the Sene?"
Yes. what:" added Robello
Shut up" said Vandal roughly. 81
tell YOU don't like this. 1t means
something"
Nandal. being Il favorite of ma
danes and having use for her con-
venicnt house sometimes when she was
out. carried key. He opened the door.
The hall was dimly lighted. y serv-
ant sat noddns in the hall.
Hello. Francois. What is this?
Where is ,nadame:' asked Vandal.
Francois looked up sleepily.
~ don't know. MONSIEUR he said
Il have not seen madame since she
Went .his morning to lie down with
her headache. She is out. SO much
know. for the cook. Who was coming
from TIL" markets. saw her leave the
house."
And did she leave no word with any
one
Not Il word. monsieur"
THAT is strange Well. sit up for
madame. We are going up stairs. In a
short time you may hear us moving
about. We may even bring cur own
wine from the cellar. There will be no
need Of attending us. DO you under
stand:"
Il understand. monsieur"
Francois did more than understand
dc ."joicea, for lie was sleepy.
The four passed on UP stairs. They
entered the room in which they had
held the conference overheard by
Buckford.
Get light, Reber, while unlock
this door," said Vandal.
POOR muttercd Reber moving
about slowly to obey. 1T is time we
got that thing out of there Poof. And
it is not so very hot either"
Eyes. it is high time" said Robello.
Reber having found a lamp and
lighted it. Vandal took his key from
his pocket and opened the door. He
stepped in with the lamp. The others
followed him.
Nandal stood with the lamp raised
above his head. The other three stood
grouped around him gazing stupidity at
him and at each other. Casparin was
the first to recover his speech.
There is something wrong here..' he
said. Some one has removed the
body"
"Impossible" blurted out yandal.
"None but Reber and myself have the
keys
you are surely mistaken. The door
was locked. Look. Has it been tam
pered with?"
Vandal handed the lamp to Reber
and examined the door and lock.
at is in order" he said. II do not
understand this-I swear l do not"
"Some one certainly has access to
this room,' said Casparin. you told
me you two held the keys"
"And so-that is the truth. 1 myself
had this partition placed here l put
on that lock with my own hands.
There were two keys with the lock,
and / gave one to Reber. AS 1 live,
these are the only keys that will un-
lock this door,"
Then account for this mystery. We
left a dead man locked in here. He is
gone, and yet you alone could open the
door,"
"And we thought he was getting
no, the window is open!" said Reber.
1t was not SO this morning"
That is a still greater mystery!"
said Vandal. 1.-THE window was lock-
ed on the inside. Some one has man.
aged to come up and get 1t open and
take o.. the American"