Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-13

Tne SuSplclOnS or your porter, paying him all that you owe, while you may trust me to make the arrangements necessary to safe conclusion. Mean tune, follow me to my room, where shall give you safe and powerful opiate, for, whatever you do, you must have rest.
 The next day was the longest in Silas' memory. It seemed as if it would never be done. He denied himself to his friends, and sat in corner with his eyes fixed upon the Saratoga trunk in dismal contemplation. His own former indiscretions were now returned upon him in kind, for the observatory had been once more opened, and he was conscious of an almost continual study from Mime. Zephyrine's apartment So distressing did this become that he l was at last obliged to block up the spy hole from his own side, and when he was thus secured from observation he spent a considerable portion of his time in contrite tears and prayer. Late in the evening pr. Noel entered the room carrying in his hand pair of sealed envelopes without address, one somewhat bulky and the other so | slim as to seem without inclosure.
 : "Silas," he said, seating himself at the table, "the time has now come for 1 me to explain my plan for your salva- ton. Tomorrow morning, at an early hour, Prince Florizel of Bohemia re- turns to London, after having diverted himself for a few days with the Pari- sian carnival. It was nay fortune, good while ago, to do Colonel Gerald l inc, his master of the horse, one of 1 those services, so common in my pro- 1 fession,, which are never forgotten upon either side. I have no need to explain to you the nature of the obli- | gation under which he was laid; suf- l flee it to say that know him ready to serve me in any practicable manner. l Now, it was necessary for you to gain London with your trunk unopened. To 1 this the custom house seemed to Op- pose a fatal difficulty, but bethought me that the baggage of so considerable person as the prince is, as matter 1 of courtesy, passed without examina- 1 ton by the officers of custom. I ap- piled to Colonel Geraldine and succeed 1 ed in obtaining favorable answer. | hotel where the prince lodges, your, baggage will be passed over as a part of his, and you yourself will make the 1 journey as a member of his suit" Tt seems to me as you speak that I | have already seen both the prince and I Colonel Geraldine. I even overheard some of their conversation the other 1 evening at the Bullier ball.'
 ''It is probable enough, for the prince | loves to mix with all societies" replied 1 the doctor. "Once arrived in London" l he pursued, tsyour task is nedrly ended. In this more bulky envelope have giv- l en you letter which dare not ad- 1 dress, but in the other you will find the designation of the house to which you must carry it along with your box, which will there be taken from you and not trouble you any more"
 "Alas." said Silas, T have every 1 wish to believe you, but how is it pos- sible? You open up to me bright prospect, but ask you, is my mind ca- l pablo of receiving so unlikely solu- l tion? Be more generous and let me further understand your meaning"
 The doctor seemed painfully inn pressed. es
 Boy" he answered, syou do not know how hard thing you ask of me. But be it so. I am now inured to humiliation, and it would be strange if I refused you this after having granted you so much. Know, then, that all though I now make so quiet an appear ance-frugal, solitary, addicted to study -When I was younger my name was once 8 rallying cry among the most astute and dangerous spirits of Lon- don, and while I was outwardly an object for respect and consideration my true power resided in the most se- cret, terrible and criminal relations. It is to one of the persons who then obeyed me that I now address myself 1 to, deliver you from your burden. They were men of many different nations and dexterities, all bound together by 1 formidable oath and working to the same purposes. The trade of the asso- ciation was in murder, and who speak to you, innocent as I appear, was the chieftain of this redoubtable crew."
 "Whatw cried Silas. "A murderer? :? And one with whom murder was trade? Can I take your hand?@ Ought
 I so much as to accept your services? Dark and criminal old man, would you make an accomplice of my youth and
 my distressY
 The doctor bitterly laughed.
 "You are difficult to please, MT. Scud- damore," said he, "but I now offer you 1 your choice of company between the
 murdered man and the murderer. If your conscience is too nice to accept my { aid, say so, and will immediately leave you. Thenceforward you can deal with
 your trunk and its belongings as best suits your upright conscience."
 EI own myself wrong" replied Silas.
 "T should have remembered how gen.
 erously you offered to shield me, even
 before had convinced you of my inno-
 cence, and continue to listen to your
 counsels with gratitude"
 "That is we'll" returned the doctor,
 land I perceive you are beginning to
 learn some of the lessons of expert | ence"
 "At the same time," resumed the New
 Englander, "as you confess yourself ac-