Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-06

I searched for the precious sachet, missed it, and returned hot-foot on his tracks.
 was certain that I had hit on the true solution; and all that night sat wakeful in the darkness, pondering what should do. The stones, unset as they were, could never be traced To all intents they were mine-mine, to do with as pleased! Fifteen thou sand crowns!-perhaps 10000 crowns! and to leave at six in the morning, whether would or no! I might leave for Spain with the jewels in my pocket.
 I confess l was tempted. The gems were so fine that doubt not some in- differently honest men would have sold salvation for them. But Berault his homer? No! I was tempted, but not for long. Thank God, man may be reduced to living by the fortunes of the dice and may even be called by a woman spy and coward without be- coming thief. The temptation soon left mel take credit for it-and fell to thinking of this and that plan for making use of them. Once it occurred to me to take the jewels to the cardi- nal and buy my pardon with them; again, to use them as trap to capture Cocheforet; again to--and then about five in the morning, as sat up on my wretched pallet, while the first light stole slowly in through the cobwebbed. hay-stuffed lattice, there came to me the real plan, the plan of plans, on which I acted.
 It charmed me. I smacked my lips over it and hugged myself and felt my eyes dilate in the darkness, as conned it. It seemed cruel. it seemed mean; I cared nothing. Mademoisello had boasted of her victory over me, of her woman's wits and her acuteness; and of my dullness. She had said her grooms should fog me, she had rated me as if had been dog. Very well; We would see now whose brains were the better, whose was the master mind, whose should be the whipping.
 The one thing required by my plan was that I should get speech with her. that done, I could trust myself and my new-found weapon for tho rest. But that was absolutely necessary; and seeing that there might be some diff culty about it, determined to descend as if my mind were made up to go; then, on pretense of saddling my horse, I would slip away on foot and lie in wait near the chateau until l saw her come out. Or if I could not effect my purpose in that way-either by reason of the landlords vigilance, or for any other cause-my course was still easy. I would ride away and when I had pro ceeded mile or so, tie up my horse in the forest and return to the wooden bridge. Thence could watch the gar den and front of the chateau until time and chance gave me the opportunity sought. ..+
 So saw my way quite clearly; and when the fellow below called me, re- minding me rudely that I must be go- ing and that it was six o'clock, I was ready with my answer. I shouted sulkily that was coming. and, after a decent delay, I took up my saddle and bags and went down.
 Viewed by the cold morning light. the inn room looked more smoky, more grimy, more wretcEed than when l had last seen it. The goodwife was not visible. The fire was not lighted No provision, not so much as stirrup-cup or bowl of porridge cheered the heart. I looked around, snifiing the stale smell of last nights lamp ard grunted Are you going to send me out fasting? ! said, affecting a worse humor than I felt. 'r
 The landlord was standing by the window, stooping over a great pair of frayed and furrowed thigh-boots, which he was laboring to soften with copious grease. "Mademoiselle ordered no breakfast" he answered, with a ma licious grin.
 Well, it does not much natter" replied grandly. T shall be at Auch by noon."
 That is as may be-" he answered, with another grin. I did not under stand him, but had something else to think about, and I opened the door and stepped out, intending to go to the stable. Then in a second I compre- hended. The cold air laden with wood land moisture met me and went to my bones; but it was not that which made me shiver. Outside the door, in the road, sitting on horseback in silence, were two men. One was Clon. The other, who held a spare horse by the rein-my horse-was a man had seen at the inn, a rough, shock-headed, hard bitten fellow. Both were armed and Clon was booted. His mate rode barefoot. with a rusty spur strapped to one heel.
 The moment I saw them a sure and certain fear crept into my mind; it was that made me shiver. But did not speak to them. I went h again and closed the door behind me. The landlord was putting on the boots. What does this mean?" I said hoarse- ly. had a clear precedence of what was coming. Why are these men here?"
 "Orders," he answered lscOnicslly.
 Whose orders?" I retorted.
 "whose?" he answered bluntly. Well. Monsieur. that is my business. Enough that we mean to see you out of the country. and out of harms way.
 But if will not go7- [ cried.