Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-08-12
CHAPTER XVIII.

| from a place of concealment, and rush
ed upon him with a dagger.
| Fortunately the clown had 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 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 fur-
Gus stab which would have instantly
killed him had it penetrated his breast.
4 Anger more than pain made him cry
out:
"Ah, you villain!"
And recoiling a few feet he put him
self on the defensive. But the prccau-
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 1 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.
IT. 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 a surgeon.
II 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, aud as
he did 50 distinguished two shadows
which he recognized.
He walked rapidly on, abruptly stop
ped, and asked some significant cues
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 their
turn rang the bell. When the janitor
appeared they asked who it was that
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 am
not very sure, for this house has a back
door which opens on the Rue st. Denis"
"We are tricked," interrupted Layers,
"and will never know who the clown is. !"
"Unless we. learn 1t too soon for our
own good" said Clameran, musingly.
| While Layers and Clameran were anx-
| iously trying to devise some means Of
discovering the clowns identity Verduret
hurried up the back street, and reached
| the Archangel as the clock struck three.
| Prosper, who was watching from his
window, saw him in the distance, and
ran down to open the door for him.
"What have you learned?" he said.
'What did you find out? Did you see
Madeleine? Were Raoul and Clameran
| at the ballT'
But NJ. Verduret was not in the habit
| Of discussing private affairs where he
might be overheard.
First of all, let us go into your room,
and get some water to wash this cut,
which burns like fire. 1t is little mark
Of your friend Raoul. All, 1 will soon
teach him the danger of mans arm!"
Prosper was surprised at the look of
merciless rage on his friends face as he
| calmly washed and dressed his arm,
Now, Prosper, we will talk as much
as you please. Our enemies are on the
alert, and we must crush them instantly.
! or not at all. l have made mistake /
| have been on the wrong track; 1t is an
| accident liable to happen to any man,
no matter how intelligent he may be. l
took the effect for the cause. The day I
was convinced that secret existed be-
tween Raoul and Nine. Fauvel | thought
I held the end Of the thread that must
lead us to the truth. I should have
been more mistrustful: this solution vas
too simple, too natural The robbery, my
detail. 1t is easily explained, and if
that were all to be accounted for
would say to you, My task is done let
US go ask for a warrant Of arrest"
All, you knows it possible?"
Yes, | know who gave the key, and
| know who told the secret word"
The key must have been M. Fauvers.
But the word-'
"The word you were foolish enough to
give. You have forgotten, l suppose.
But unfortunately Gypsy remembered.
You know that, two days before the
robbery, you took Layers and two other
friends to sup with Madame Gypsy2
Nina was sad, and reproached you for
not being more cheerful"
Yes, / remember that"
But do you remember what yeu re-