The Indianapolis journal., 1904-05-05
THE VIKINGS SKULL
A Tak of a Mystery and It's Solution


knocks or one whose errand VIII brook no
delay
Without waiting for his mothers Bidding
ldris few down the stairs eager TO learn
the meaning of this strange summons
On opening the door he found on the
threshold a man draped from neck to
ankles in a gray ulster. man who acted IN
very strange way, for he lifted Idrls
completely off his feet and kissed MN
several times.
Now Idris. though net at all averse to the
kisses OF his mother or of the nshermen
daughters, had an objection TO the kisses
of man, and especially of a strange man.
and he struggled TO be free.
Where's your mOther?" cried the
stranger. setting Idris down.
she's up there" answered Idris, indi-
eating the staircase. But you'd better
not kiss her. She won't like it:
The man gave a joyous laugh
Wont she? Well. let us see." was his
answer. and he darted swiftly UP the stair
case, first calling out TO the man In the
gig;
Now, my little man. said the military
gentleman, Jump up here. You are going
for a sail in that pretty ship yonder in the
Idris's eyes sparlkled at this enchanting
prospect
But can't go without my mother:
WELL"
MY father?" laughed Idris. why my
father is in
He checked the word prison" upon his
"Over there"
by God! that's where he'll be again,
unless he hurries," cried the military gen.
tleman. That's your father who has just
run upstairs -
His father upstairs. The day had been
a succession of surprises to Idris and this
was the climax of them all. He had never
known such an exciting time. Deaf to the
gentleman command to ascend the vehicle
he turned and scampered hastily up TO his
mothers sitting room, where he beheld
sight that struck him dumb
The stranger was standing in the middle
OF the room with Mrs. Breakspear in his
arms, her cheek pillowed on his breast.
Eric o, Erici" she murmured and the
pure joy of that moment transfigured her
face with the light and beauty Of an
angels.
Edith, my sweet wife." cried the man
pressing her lips to his. This kiss is
compensation for all / have suffered There
you mustn't faint. Why, here's our boy.
What fine fellow he is becoming! Well
| Idris. what do you think of your father
and his court dress?'
Idris's face fell as he surveyed the new
| conner. This man with his close-cropped
| head, grimy vissage, stubbly beard and
| half-savage air, his father Beneath the
gray ulster there peeped out the prison
livery, clad in which garb divine Apollo
/ himself would lose all grace and majesty.
Eric Marville was not slow to read the
| thoughts of his little son, and he smiled
grimly.
Upon my word, he stares as if were
/ some wild animal. L verify believe l am:
| prison life grinds every trace of the god
/ like out OF a man. But come, Edith, We
haven't a moment to lose. Ycu can hear
| that they have discovered my escape" he
continued as another boom rolled over
| the moorland "Rochefort was for hurry
ing me Oil board his yacht at once. but it
wasn't likely that 1 would leave you and
the boy behind, when you were so close at
| hand Come, Edith and Idris wife and
| son, come. Away to new life in a new
| land"
At that moment there came from without
"MarviIiei Marviiie, Mar III he Rta'r roared Look
to yourself. They're here
AS he spoke quick footsteps came clatter-
ing , oyer 9, the pavement of the Rue Grande
| on the night air. The bullets were intended
for the captain, but missed their mark;
and the mare taking fright at the report
set of at a gallop, followed by the pur-
suers. who were on foot
| Halt" shouted an authoritative voice.
Let the car so; that's not the quarry. Our
| mans in here; this is his wife's abode.
Through the house, two of yoE, and guard
the rear. Two of you watch the front.
Leave the rest TO me- I'll unearth him.
The man who gave these commands
| rushed through the doorway of the harbor-
masters dwelling, and, as If guided by in
| stinct. neglected the lower story and made
| his way UP the staircase.
| All this took place so quickly that Mar
| Vile was for the moment paralyzed with
surprise. and stood motionless and silent
with his scared wife clinging to him.
Don't make any resistance Eric, dear
est she pleaded. TT will be better not
Springing from his lethargy Marville put
aside the arms of his wife and made fol
the open window. only to perceive two
watchful gendarmes in the street below
who instantly levelled their carbines al
sight of the convict's face.
The only other outlet from the room wa:
through the doorway but there, framed
within the entrance and pistol in hand
stood gray-haired, fine looking veteran
clad in military uniform, Duclair, governor
of the prison, who, alive TO his RESPONSE
bility had himself poined in the chase.
Run to earth he said, with a grin
smile. You're fairly cornered. It's no US,
resisting"
Wen see about that" muttered Mar
vile, pulling forth revover-a recent gif
of Rochefort-with the intention of forcinl
his way over the disabled or dead body o
the governor.
Drop that, or by" and Duclair pune
raising of his own weapon.
seeing the pistol levelled Mrs. Break
spear with uplifted arms. flung hersel
forward to shield her husband.
simultaneously with her movement cam
deadly click from Marville's weapon
followed instantly by a loud bang: TIL
report was accompanied by a cry of "Ah
Ericr and by the fall of a body-sound
that sent cold thrill TO the hearts of thos
who heard them.
There, amid faint wreaths of bluisI
smoke. lay Mrs. Breakspear. PROSTATE O
the carpet her forehead disfigured by
spot from which came the slow ooze o
J blood.
! 20. you have shot my motherg" waile
Idris, casting a look of anguish at hi
father.
The little fellow dropped on his knee
beside her, but Ii was only piece of ella
J upon which he now gaZed; his mother wa
gone forever: was as much a part Of tn
past as the dead Caesars of history Drea
| change. and all the work of a momenti
Edith, my wife. o God, L have kille
herr
! Dropping the weapon Eric Marvile stae
gered forward to lift UP the dead form an
lmplore forgiveness from her who wa
beyond power TO grant it, but ere he coul
: reach the fallen figure. strong hands wer
laid upon him, and pair of steel manacle
was clasped upon his wrists.
Mon DieU! who has done this?" erie
. one of the gendarmes, appalled, at tn
[ sight.
1.-The prisoner" responded the governo
Take notice, all of you. that my weapo
: | is undischarged."
t The gendarmes lifted the silent form an
laid il upon a couch, and there Idri5 knel
sobbing bitterly and calling upon mis- mothC
to speak.
My poor boy" said the governor. aft,
brief inspection of the body, ''she wi
Z never speak again We ought" he adde
. turning TO address his men, I'VE ought
!; send for a doctor, though he can do I
q good for she is stone dead"
, There was but one doctor in Quilaix ar
n he. Idris explained amid his tears had gor
e with the procession to the Pardon
I'VE must have some woman atte1
to the body" continued Duclair 1--WE can
return to Valagenet leaving the boy alor
: with a corpse. Surely all the women 70
: haven't gone to this cursed Pardon?"
Idris. well his grief would let hir
d explained where woman was likely to
found, and a gendarme at once di
patched TO fetch her.