Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-12-02
CHAPTER XVIII.


zare and struck into the Faubourg Mont
martre. A man suddenly started out
from a place of concealment, and rush
ed upon him with dagger.
Fortunately the clown had a cat like
instinct, which enabled him to protect
himself against immediate danger. He
saw, or rather OWNED, the man crouch
ing in the dark shadow of a house, and
had the presence of mind to strike an
attitude which enabled him to ward off
the assassin by spreading out his arms
before him.
This movement certainly saved his
life, for he received in his arm a furi-
Gus stab which would have instantly
killed him had it penetrated his breast.
Anger more than pain made him cry
out:
"Ah, you villainv
And recoiing few feet he put him
self on the defensive. But the precau-
ton was useless. Seeing his blow miss,
the assassin did not return to the at
tack, but made rapidly off.
"That was certainly Lagors," said the
clown, "and Clameran must be some
where near. While l walked around one
side OF the church they must have gone
the other and lain in wait for me-"
His wound began to pain him; he
stood under a gas lamp to examine it.
L. did not appear to be dangerous, but
the arm was cut through to the bone. He
tore his handkerchief into four bands,
and tied his arm up with the dexterity
of surgeon.
81 must be on the track of some great
crime, since these fellows are resolved
upon murder. When such cunning rogues
are only in danger of the police court
they do not gratuitously risk the chance
of being tried for murder"
He thought by enduring a great deal
of pain he might still use his arm, so he
started in pursuit Of his enemy, taking
care to keep in the middle of the road,
and avoid all dark corners. Although he
saw no one, he was convinced that he
was being pursued. He was not mistak-
en- When he reached the Boulevard
Montmartre he crossed the street, and as
he did so distinguished two shadows
which he recognized
| He walked rapidly on, abruptly stop
ped, and asked some significant ques-
tons of two policemen who were stand
ing talking together. The maneuver had
the result he expected: Raoul and Clam
eran stood perfectly still about twenty
steps off, not daring to advance.
Twenty steps! That was as much
start as the clown wanted. While talk
ing with the police he had pulled the
bell of the door before which they were
standing and the click of the lifted latch
apprised him that the door was open. he
bowed and entered the house.
A minute later the police had passed
on, and Labors and Clameran in theil
turn rang the bell When the janitol
appeared they asked who it was thai
had just gone in disguised as a clown.
They were told that no such person
had entered, and that none of the lodg
ers had gone out disguised that night.
, However" added the janitor, II an
not very sure, for this house has bacl
door which opens on the Rue st. Denis.
"We are tricked," interrupted Lagors
q "and will never know who the clown is.
"Unless we learn it too soon for on
+ own good" said Clameran, musingly.
T While Lagors and Clameran were anx
r iously trying to devise some means o
8 discovering the clowns identity Verdure
hurried up the back street, and reaches
:. the Archangel as the clock struck three
Prosper, who was watching from hi
" window, saw him in the distance, an
ran down to open the door for him.
n "What have you learnedW he sale
Is "What did you find out? Did you Sc
Madeleine? Were Raoul and Clamera
q at the ball?'
N But NJ. Verduret was not in the habi
OF discussing private affairs where
ic might be overheard.
r "First of ALL let us go into your room
ID and get some water to wash this Gu
which burns like fire. 1t is a little mar
at of your friend Raoul. All, | will 500
is teach him the danger of a mans arm.
st Prosper was surprised at the look {
merciess rage on his friends face as i
Of calmly washed and dressed his arm.
I'd "Now, Prosper, we will talk as nuc
,NlA n 4