Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-24
REPEATINC SHOTGU NS

Doctor Cornabuc? Just hear that. a
man of his age and character climbing
window balconies. Decidedly, Nine. de
Lartigues had been drcaming."
They tried to drive away her terror and
she herself was inclined to believe 1t a
hallucination. when upon looking into her
jewel-case, she found IL empty. There
could not longer be any doubt that it was
a thief. The laugh frozc on their lips and
all looked at each other in dismay.
Suddenly a cry. a very sharp cry. broke
the stiffness of the night. 1t seemed to
have come from Miss Ilawthorne's ROOM
They ran and found the American young
lady in the middle of the room. her eyes
staring and overwhelmed with terror
"There! There!' said she, pointing to
the window, "a man. lie just fled But I
recognized him."
You recognized him, who was it?'
1T was DR.. Cornabuc."
The doctor again! This time nobody
laughed. They sought him among those
present. he wasn't there.
Let us go to the doctors room" said
the Marquis. putting on his glasses. I'VE
shall probably have the solution of tho
puzzle
They all followed Kerdall; men and
women carrying lighted candles. The doc
tor. 1T the entrance of this multitude,
quickly rolled himself in the bcd-curtains.
from which emerged only his wrinked
i"'e. 10 winch anger gave COmlcal cN-
preston. The light of the candles was
reflected in his skull, which shone like an
old ivory ball.
This is an ill-timcd JEST" he exclaimed
''Oh. what has happened? Was the cas-.
tie set on fire: heard a tremendous out
cry. Wanted TO go and see; to know
what was happening
You ought to have gone; declared Ker-
dali
But how?" exclaimed the furious sa-
! want.
'"rhey carried off my clothes In ex-
change they thought 1t would be a fine
joke to leave me this" he concluded
throwing into the middle of the room a
quilted corset.
MY corset! murmured Miss Haw-
thorne. modestly looking down.
And this" he went on. still furious,
brandshing something shapeless.
OF Kerdall was the first to rush in there
without light. and despite the sudden
darkness which blinded him, he could see
figure escaping through the garden
door.
This time my rascal. we shall catch
ycu!' Passing through the hall, the men
took from the collection whatever weap-
ons they found and ran across the garden
and park in pursuit OF the fugitive, while
the ladies fastened in the parlor, anxious
~ awaited the result of the chase.
An hour after. just at daybreak, SER
want discovered the mysterious vagabond
who had climbed to the highest branch OF
| an oak tree. AT his call, the Marquis
came accompanied by his guests.
Come down." the master of Kerdall or
dercd the highwayman. who was trying to
hide himself in the foliage. No reply.
Come down or l fire. And as tho
| same silence continued. he took aim. He
had his finger already on the trigger and
was going to shoot when the servant ex-
claimed, pulling down the barrel OF his
rife:
Don't shoot. Marquis, it is DR.. Gonna.
| buc.'
| II was really the long ovcrcoat of the
doctor and his yellow wig that appeared
through the leaves. But at this moment
| the sun had just risen above the horizon
aud casting It's rays upon the trees light
| ed it up.
| The Marquis burst into a laugh. in which
| all present joined The ape! All was eX-
| planned. The animal escaping from his
cage had gained entrance to the castle.
| Prompted by his initiative nature. he first
| dressed himself in the clothes Of the doc
| tor. whom he doubtless decided the most
worthy to serve him as a model. and i'm
diately began the series OF tricks of which
we know. With great difficulty they
| again put him into his cage.
At breakfast-time the occupants of the
! castle amused themselves recalling the ex-
ploits of Master Jocko AS for DIR. Gonna
| buc. he did not appear at table. AT break
| of day, he left the castle. still furious and
| without taking leave of anyone. After
this he never again set foot in Kcrdall
| and what il worse. he held a terrible
grudge against Miss Hawthorne and Nine,
dc Lartigues.
| Besides, who or wha put it into the
heads of these ladies to confound him with
an ape?
copyrighted. 1904, by the Foreign Story
| Syndicate Co. burlington. Vt)