The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-06
BY WILLIAM w. coLLINo.
(continued)


in which we all lived. and had FIVE win
dows TO pass before l could reach the
position II was necessary 20 take up Inn
medlately over the library. The first
window belonged 10 a spare room, which
was empty The second and third win
dows belonged 10 Laura's room. The
fourth window belonged 20 Sir Percivals
room. The fifth belonged TO the coun-
tess room. The others. by which 1t was
not necessary for me 10 pass, were the
windows OF the counts dressing room, of
the bathroom and OF the second empty
spare room
No sound reached my ears the black,
binding darkness OF the night was all
round me when first stood on the veran-
da. except at that part OF It which Nine.
Foscos window overlooked. There. at
the very place above the H.
brary 10 which my course was
directed--there saw gleam OF
light The countess was not yet In bcds
II was too late 20 draw back; Il was no
time 10 wait. ! determined to 30 on at
all hazards, and trust for security TO my
own caution and TO the darkness of the
night For Laura's sake" / thought
to myself as | took the first step forward
on the roof. with one hand holding my
cloak close round me, and the other crop
ing against the wall OF the house. II
than TO risk striking my feet against the
hower-pots within a few inches OF me,
on the other side.
! passed the dark window OF the spare
room, trying the leaden roof at each step
with my foot before rlsked resting my
weight on IL. | passed the dark windows
of Laura $ room ("God bless her and keep
her. tonighfrD passed the dark win
dow OF Sir Percivars room. Then
waited a moment. knelt down. with my
hands 10 support me. and so crept to
my position. under the protection OF the
low wall between the bottom Of the light
ed window and the veranda roof.
When I ventured 10 look up at the
window itself, i found that the top of
Il only was open. and that the blind inside
was drawn down. While | was looking,
I saw the shadow OF Nine. Fosco pass
across the white field OF the blind-then
pass slowly back again. Thus far she
cord not have heard me, or the shadow
would surely have stopped at the blind.
even is she had wanted courage enough
TO open the window and look out.
i placed myself sideways against the
railing OF the veranda. first ascertaining.
by touching them, the position OF the
flower pots on either side of me. There
was room enough for me TO sit between
them, and no more. The sweet-scented
leaves OF the flower on my left hand
my head against the railing.
The first sounds that reached me from
below were caused by the opening or clos
ing tmost probably the latter OF three
doors in succession--the doors, no doubt.
leading into the hall, and into the rooms
on each side OF the library, which the
count and pledged himself TO examine
The first object that ] saw was the red
spark again travelling out into the night,
from under the veranda. moving away
toward my window, waiting a moment,
and then returning TO the place from
which II had set out.
The devil take your restlessness! When
do you mean TO sit down." growled sir
Percivals voice beneath me-
'Ouf. how hot II is!'' said the count,
signing and putting wearily.
His exclamation was followed by the
scraping OF the garden chairs on the tiled
pavement under the yeranda--the wei
come sound which told me they were go-
ing TO sit close at the window. as usual.
So far9the chance was mine. The clock
In the turret struck the quarter 10 twelve
as they settled themselves in their chairs.
/ heard Nine. Fosco through the open
window, yawning and saw her shadow
pass once more across the white field of
the blind.
Meanwhile. Sir Percival and the count
began talking together below. now and
than usual. but never sinking them to
whisper. The strangeness and peril of
my situation, the dread. which l could
not master, OF Nine. Fosco's lighted win
dow, made II difficult. almost impossible
for me, at first. to keep my presence OF
mind and TO fix my attention
solely on conversation beneath For
coed In gathering the general sub
stance OF II. | understood the count TO
say that the one window alight was his
wife's: that the ground floor of the house
was quite clear. and that they might now
speak 10 each other without fear Of acci-
dents. Sir Percival merely answer vi ny
upbraiding his friend with having un-
5ustihably slighted his wishes and neg
lected his interests all through the day.
The count, thereupon, defended himself
by declaring that he had oeen beset ~
certain troubles and anxietias which mad
absorbed all his attention. ana that the
only safe time TO come 10 an explanation
was a time when they could feel certain
of being neither Interrupted nor over
heard.
eve are at a serious crisis in our af-
fairs. Percival." he said: "and IL we are
20 decide on the future at all, we must
decide secretly tonight"
That sentence of the Counts was the
first which my attention was ready
enough 10 fndfttFs fhdC'il as II was tpo-
ken. From this point. with certain breaks
and interruptions. my whole Interest fixed
breathlessly on the conversation, and 3
followed 81 word for word
'Crisis7" repeated Sir Percival. Its a
worse crisis than you think for. I can tell
you"
$50 I suppose. from your behavior for
the last day or two" returned the other
cooly. But wait little. Before We ad-
vance TO what / do not know let as be
quite certain OF what do know. Let us
FIRST see IL I am right about the time that
In past before ! make any proposals 10
you for the time that Is 10 come"
stop till get the brandy and water.
Have some YOURSELF"
Thank you. Percival The cold water
with pleasure. a spoon. and the basin of
sugar. Eau sucree. my friend nothing
more"
Sugar and water. for man OF your
age, THERE mix your sickly mess You
foreigners are all alike"
Now listen. PercivaL I will put our
position plainly before you. as ! under
dertsand ~; and you shall say II am