Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-12
(Copyright.lS b,
CHAPTER VIII.
 THE QUESTION

replied sternly And do you move! move, man, and the thing will be done while you are talking about it. Set the door into the garden open-so!" Certainly, it is fine morning. i And the tobacco of M. le Lieutenant But M. le Captaine did not-''
 Give orders? Well, I give them!" answered. First of all, remove these beds. And hustle, man, hustle, or l will find something to quicken you'
 In moment" And M. 1e Captaine's riding
 Place them in the passage" I re- piled.
 "Ohe! In the passage?" He paused, looking at them in doubt.
 Yes, booby; in the passage."r And the cloaks, Monsieur?"
 There is bush handy outside the window. Let them air"
 "Ohe, the bush? We'll, to be sure they are damp But-yes, yes, Mon sieur, it is done And the holsters?"
 There also!" said harshly. Throw them out. Faugh! The place reeks of leather. Now, clean hearth. And set the table before the open door, so that they may see the garden. So. And tell the cook that we shall dine at II, and madam and mademoiselle will descend"
 "Ohe! But M le Captaine order the dinner for half past eleven?"
 Tt must be advanced then; and mark you, my friend, if it is not ready when madam comes down, you will suffer, and the cook too"
 When he was gone on his errand, l looked round. What else was lack ing? The sun shone cheerily on the polished floor; the air, freshened by the rain which had fallen iI the night, entered freely through the open door, way. A few bees lingering with the summer hummed outside. The fire crackled bravely; an old hound, blind and past work, lay warming its hide on the hearth. I could think of noth- ing more. and stood and watched the man set out the table and spread the cloth. For how many, Monsieur?" he asked in a scared tone.
 For five" I answered; and I could not help smiling at myself. What would Zaton's say could it see Berault turned housewife! There was a white glazed ocup-an old-fashioned piece of the second Henry's time-standing on shelf. l took it down and put some late flowers in 1t, and set it in the mid dle of the table, and stood of myself to look at it. But a moment later, thinking I heard them coming. I hur- ried it away in kind of panic. feeling on a sudden ashamed of the thing. The alarm proved to be false. however: and then again. taking another turn. I set the piece back. I had done noth- ing so foolish for-for more years than. I liked to count.
 But when madam and mademoiselle came. they had eyes neither for the flowers nor the room. They had heard that the captain was out beating the village and the woods for the fugi- tive, and where had looked for a comedy found a tragedy. Madam's face was so red with weeping that all her beauty was gone She started and shook al the slightest sound. and. un- able to find any words to answer my greeting, could only sink into a chair and sit crying silently.
 Mademoiselle was in a mood scarcely more cheerful. She did not weep. but her manner was hard and fierce. She spoke absently and answered fretfulIy. Her eyes glittered and she had the air Of straining her ears continually 10 catch some dreaded sound. There is no news. Monsieur" she said. as she took her seat. And she shot a swift look at me.
 None, Mademoiselle.
 They are searching the viIlage?"
 'T believe SO"
 Where is Clon?" This in a lower voice and with kind of shrinking in her face.
 I shook my head. 'I believe they have him confined somewhere. And Louis. too" said. But I have not seen either of them"
 And where are? I thought thess people would be here" she muttersd. And she glanced askance at the two vacant places The servant had brought in the meal
 They will be here presently" said eoolly. Let us make the most of the time A little wine and fooa will Go madam good"
 She smiled rather sadly. T think we have changed places she said: land that you have turned host and we guests"
 "Lst it be SO" said eheerfully. @, recommend some of this ragout. Come, MademoiseiIe: fasting can aid no one A full meal has saved many a mans life"
 It vas clunsiIy said perhaps. for she shudfered and looked at me with a ghastly smile But she persuaded her sister 10 taste somsthins: and she took something on her own plate and raised her fork to her lips But ia a moment she laid it down again. T oonnot- she murnuTed- T cannot swallow. Oh. my GOd- at this moment they may be taking him.+
 I thought that she vas about to burst into a passion of tears and re- psntsd that [ had induced her to descend But her self-ooatToI vas not vss axhzusszS Pr an eHrrt painful to