Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-13

dows. In such circumstances. therefore,
1t was alarming to hear footsteps ascend
ing the staircase-footsteps which Mrs.
BreakSpear instinctively felt to be those OF
of Old Pol, but of stranger! How had
he gained access to the house, and what
was his object?
The unknown visitor had mounted to the
head of the staircase and was now ad-
vancing along the passage leading to the
room In which Mrs. Breakspear sat. un-
able to speak from surprise and fear
mother and son gaZed at the door With
dilated eyes. as If expecting to see some
awful vision.
The door was pushed open, and Mrs.
Breakspear could scarcely suppress a
scream at sight of the man who entered,
for his face was hidden behind black
SILK wizard, such as might be worn at a pal
masque, and through the holes OF the
wizard two eyes could be seen sparkling,
so 1t seemed to Mrs. Breakspear, with
sinister expression. A low-crowned sort
hat covered his head; and a cloak. reaching
to his heels, completely concealed his per-
son.
He came forward a few PAGES, glancing
round the room as he did SO, and seeming
to derive satisfaction from the fact that II
contained no persons more formidable than
woman and a child.
You are alarmed, madame, but without
reason" he began. TT is not my purpose
to do you hurt" he paused for moment,
and then added. unless your obstinacy
should call for TT
The mans voice was altogether strange
to Mrs. Breakspear. He spoke In French,
but with an accent that somehow Impress
ed her with the belief that he was an En-
gl1shman; one, too, accustomed to move In
good society.
1.-The first fact 1 would impress upon
your mind Is this" continued the stranger,
that you are alone, unprotected, In my
power absolutely. If you raise your voice
there is no one either in the house or In the
street to hear you. The town is practically
deserted. All are gone to the Pardon, a
fact have taken into my calculations. III
you will reflect upon this, 1t may facilitate
my errand."
These words. and the tone in which they
spoken aid not tend to alay Mrs
gathered voice to speak.
who are you?"
A smile appeared beneath the fringe OF
the silken wizard.
This mask Is sufficient proof that wish
to conceal my Identity
What do you WANT"
"A more sensible question than your
first. since 1t brings us to the point at once.
l require, nay, l demand of you, the Morse
altar-ring now in your keeping"
What reason have you for supposlng
that 1t is here?'' said Mrs. Breakspear,
growing holder.
mask flashed like polished steel. II know
it to be in your possession. Do you deny
it? Mrs. Breakspear was silent You
do not deny it? Good! The ring being
here, demand it,
why do you want tt?'
Il decline to be catechised. Give me the
ring"
You are evidently a gentleman by edu-
a start at this. And yet You seek to act
tho part of common thief, a part you
would not dare act she cried with spirit,
were l man, and not defenseless wO-
man."
The man shrugged his shoulders impa-
tiently.
II did not come TO listen to moral vapor-
ings, but to receive the ring
"And what if l refuse to comply with
your demand?"
you are alone. let me repeat and abso-
lutely at my mercy"
A dagger flashed from beneath his cloak.
in her arms to shield him from a possible
attack. Yet even amid her fear il did not
escape her notice that the hand which held
the weapon was small, white and decorated
with diamond ring.
Listen to the voice of prudence" con-
tinued the stranger. 1T is within my power
to dispatch you both, and to search these
apartments for the ring which you admit
Is somewhere here. l am quite prepared to
go to that extreme rather than return with
out it. You will. therefore, see the wis
dom of surrendering the ring; you thus
save your life and that of your child; /
save time and trouble-an arrangement mu-
tually advantageous"
Something In his tone convinced Mrs.
Breakspear that he was quite capable of
carrying out his threat.
You will find the ring in an ebony case
in the top drawer of that cabinet Take 1t:
and If 1t should bring upon you the curse
which it has brought upon me and mine
you will live to rue this day."
The man smiled. put up his weapon.
walked toward the oak press and in a mo-
mpnt n han
Yes, this is it," he murmured In a tone
of satisfaction, as he drew the ring from
the case, and scrutinized the runic inscrip-
ton.
May one ask" he continued. conceallne
the relic upon his person, "how you came ia
deny all knowledge of it at the trial OF
your husband?"
Il spoke truly" she answered. being
unaware at the time that my husband had
secretly intrusted 1t to the care of his
friend, Captain Rochefort.''
After stealing 1t from the body of his
VICTIM" added the stranger
His victim? There You err cried Mrs
Breakspear with flashing eyes loathing to
answer the stranger, yet eager to vndicate
her husband. when my husband left the
Armorique Club on that fatal evening he
overlook NJ. DucheSne on his Way home
and upon the latter's expressing regret for
his violence of the preceding night a recon
Citation. took place AS a pledge of amity
M. Duchesne, remembering the interest my
HuSUdHu Ihu III the ring. made him
a present Of it; In return my husband in
sisted that Duchesne should accept the an
tique poniard purchased by him that morn
ing. Thus they parted; the one with the
ring. the other with the dagger The as
sassin, whoever he was, that attacked Du.
chesne, must, during the struggle have be-
come possessed of the dagger. and with /,
he inflicted the fatal wound. Next morn
ing, my husband. foreseeing that he Nigh,
be accused of the murder, and aware tina,
his possession of the ring would seem a
suspicious circumstance, handed 1t to Can.
tain Rochefort, enjoining him. very mn.
wisely as now perceive, to keep silent or
the matter
And So" commented the stranger. "Cap.
tain Rochefort fonspired to defeat the ends
of Justice" q.
1.-The word justice comes with an Ill grace
from the lips of a coward and a thief re.
torted Mrs. Breakspear, her spirit rising
as 1t always rose whenever her husba nd's
innocence was put to the doubt SAY ra Their
| that in concealing the ring Captain Roche.
fort was seeking to prevent the law from
drawing an erroneous conclusion
He failed. however," sneered the strap
ger. ''for the law pronounced Your husband
guflty-greatlyt to my interests. A pity theJ
didn't guillotine him, Still, he is in nr,son
, there let him rot! and Ah,' he m,Itterei
in hoarse voice, breaking off abruntlv
I'm the name of hell. what's that?"
(To be continued tomorrow