The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-04-08
The Garden of Lies
CHATTER .xl,.- ontlnued.l
BY Justus Miles Forman
Copyright 1902 BY Frederick 4. stokes Company.

-
4. CHAPTER XXX ntinued.)
THE cab halted at the extreme end OF. the
Impasse and we got out, gave our low
voiced direction to the cocher--to turn
about and wait-and rang the bell.
Now the law in Paris is SO constructed
that every house, rich or poor, whether
in the Champes Elysees on the slums of st.
Antoine, shall be under the charge OF
concierge who shall close the same tightly
at night, and admit the residents, thereof
only upon the ringing of a bell. Further
more, each lodger upon coming ill.,. must,
if the hour be early, be recognized by
the concierge, or If it be late and the con-
cierge in her bed, so that at the sum
mons she releases the lock of the door
with the Gordon that hangs to her
hand, the ledger must call out his name
as he enters and closes the door. The
concierge system, It will be understood,
is nothing more than great arm Of the
police. an espionage, hour by hour and
day by day, of every resident in Paris.
We rang twice before the concierge
walked and pulled her Gordon. Then the
lock clicked and the little door. set in
tn egreat, heavy gate that by night closed
the archWay, swung open.
"Steinbrucke, madame!'' sang out Denis
in a bass gutteral as we closed the door,
80 soir, madame!'' and we tiptoed softly
over the rough stones of the courtyard
and under the little arch that leads TO- the
stair at the right.
"Off with your coats now!' whispered
Denis. Swords ready? pistols?-lanterr
lighted, Won Altdorf? Here, wait an in
stant!'
Now the little arch,. under which we
stood, gave not only upon the stair, but
beyond upon the tiny alley alongside the
old sculptor's sheds and under. the win
dows of Stenibrucl1e's studio 1T was q
l,1S oil low l,x,
Denis stole out into it and peered up.
| ward. . 49,. .zzt
| dim lights in all the roorus,'' said ht
when he returned, "all but the kitchen
| They're taking no risks. Now then, w
the stairs!'
| We left our rain coats in heap unde
the arch and mounted slowly, will
Infinite caution. But near the tol
| when there was but step or two to gain
Won Altdorf stumbled in the dark, and tn,
closed lantern clashed against the stat
rail- 81, =
We were at the door in an instant, bu
there came from inside quick movement
the sound of hurrying steps, and a voice
as that of one on watch waking others
Now, them" whispered Denis, eth
door! Are you ready? One, two-go!'
He had placed himself, as we had ar
ranged, couple of PAGES from the door
back toward it, Won Altdorf, sword hang
ing from wrist, had braced his hand
against Denis shoulders, I mine agains
Won Altdorf's waist, and with a little rul
we shot thru the flimsy door a. tho it ha,
been Cardboard ~ -
! Denis whired as he fell forward, so tina
he went upon one knee. sword ready in hi
right hand, and the glare from Won Alt
DORIS lantern streamed over his head an,
along the narrow little passage till it me
! the white faces and staring eyes of tn
10 ocs yIo0 hove Ill
| dressed but wide awake, to check us.
They had sabres, as Denis had predict
ed. and the blade of the foremost f1ashe
over his head as he charged. But when
fell 1t ratified harmlessly upon the foo
I and its owner @lurched face downwar
after it. Denis thrust had been too quic
for eye to follow.
But the second man did curious tllns
Blocked so that he could not strike, by tn
fellow in front of him. and now born
back by Denis Tightening point, he mad
no attempt at sword play, but dropped hi
sabre suddenly, and threw himself for
ward: hea'dlong, seeking to- catch Denis
legs about the ankles and so bring him
the ground.
A man less quick would instantly fav
been f1Oored, but Denis hurdled him as
football player will sometimes hurdle tn
opposing man or the man who tackles to
low, and was at the studio door in an In
slant. s.. ~.,r 4-.-. r.. - o.
''After me, one of you!" he called owe
his shoulder. pushed by Won Altdor
who had his point against the fallen man
neck, and we burst into the wide space
the studio together.
The room was dimly lighted from srna
3 lamps hung upon the wall and from
q large one overhead, which was turne
( low. There was a. litter Of clothes ar
: blankets and pillows about the floor, ar
the air was full of tobacco smoke.
i, Baron Won Steinbrucke stood in tt
j middle Of the room alone. He must ha,
}, been sleeping, for he was clad only
l.. drawers and undershirt. He stood wi
: his back toward the door of the furth
d room-the door was slightly ajar-and
held In his hand no sabre like the other
but long slender blade such as our ow
" He stood leaning forward a little, poise
waiting. There was a slight smile" up.
! his lips, but this passed In an instant, al
shall never forget his look VIII
:. The saw our two faces full 2 in Il
i lamps light, and recognized /
: Denis who had stalked about the roc
Eunder his very nose that afternoon as
: ing questions in bad French; and myst
! to whom he had. in his cups, babbled S
: crets that would hound him to his gra
did but make them known. .s
Il His sword point shook and dropped +
u
S of rage I have never seen a more ful
Il GUS or more reckless whirlwind sof attac
q "Give him to me, lad! Give him
i mel! said Denis, and I stood back VIII
II they engaged, knew there could be b
Zone outcome to that combat. III
:: But their blades had no more tn
clashed when there came the sound of
, scuffe from the room beyond. Alas,
had forgotten the fourth man. And tn
the Princess EleanOr'S voice
= Quick, Denis!'' she cried, 'be quick
There was no fear in the tone no trel
bling, but it told a desperate need.
"Qu1ck! be quickn' she called aga
Hes trying to Shall shoot? f.Shal
shoot?'
Denis whirled swiftly toward the do
saw him lunge again and again quick
light but the Austrian's desperate f,
made a defense that even his natchl
man would have to be tired out by ra
attack but there was no time for that.
Denis back was at the door now.
Now, then, Ted!'' he cried, take h
on now!' and my point reached Ste
brucke's left arm just as Denis went ii
g into the inner room.
r What happened there Of course co
\ not see. It was told me afterward. Del
it seems, was but in the nick of time,
the fourth ruffian, holding a great pill
in his left hand as shield, was sor
pressing the Princess Eleanor, with
sword while she had him covered with
pistol Why he hesitated to finish
work i do not know suppose he was
deadly fear Of the pistol and equally
If =, >,