Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-15
UNDER THE
 RED ROBE
Copyright. .lssi. by Stanley J. wevman,l
By STANLEY J. NEWMAN


 Larolle muttered, twisting his mus
 taches and looking round to make his l last dispositions. Paul and Lebrun, | see that your man makes no noise.
 Sergeant come forward with your car
 bine. but do not fire without orders.
 Now. silence, all, and close ID, Lieu
 tenant. Forward.'
 We advanced about a hundred paces, | keeping the cliff on our left, then l turned a shoulder and saw a few paces in front of us a black blotch | standing out from the grey dusEiness
 of the cliffside. The prisoner stopped
 and raising his bound hand pointed to 1 it.
 "There?" the captain whispered, | pressing forward ''Is that the, ,place?"
 Clon nodded. The captains voice l shook with excitement. You two re- rnair here with him." he muttered. in
 a low tone. Sergeant, come forward with me. Now are you ready? For ward!" .... He and the sergeant passed quickly, one or either side. of Clon and his guards. The path was narrow here and the captain passed outside. The eyes of all but one were on the black blotch, the hollow in the cliff-side and no one saw exactly what happened. But somehow, as the captain passed abreast of him. the prisoner thrust back his guards and springing side ways. flung his unbound arm round Larolle's body, and in an instant swept him, shouting, to the verge of the precipice.
 It was done in a moment. By the time the lieutenant's startled wits and eyes were back, the two were already tottering on the edge, looking in the gloom like one dark form. The ser geant, who was the first to find his head, levelled his carbine; but as the wrestlers twirled and twisted, the cap- tain shrieking out oaths and threats, the mute silent as death, 1t was im- possible to see which was which; and the sergeant lowered his gun again, while the men held back nervously. The ledge sloped steeply there; the edge was vague: already the two seem ed to be wrestling in mid-air-and the mute was man beyond hope or fear.
 That moment of hesitation wal fatal. Clon's long arms were round the others arms, crushing them into his ribs; Clon's skull-like face grinned hate into the others eyes; his long limbs curled round him. like the folds of a snake. Suddenly Larolle's strength gave way. "D-n you all' Why don't you-Merchl mercy!" came in a last scream from his lips; and then, as the lieutenant, taken aback before. sprang forward to his aid the two toppled over the edge and in a'sec- ond hurtled out of sight.
 Mon Dieu!" the lieutenant cried, in horror The answer was a dull splash in the depths below.
 He flung up his arms. ''Water!" he said. Quick. men, get down. We may save him yet! They have fallen into water!"
 But there was no path and night was come and the mems nerves were shaken. The lanthorns had to be lit and the way to be retraced; and by the time We reached the dark pool which lay below. the last bubbles were gone from the surface. the last nipples had beaten themselves out against the banks. True. the pool still rocked sullenly and the yellow light showed mans hat floating and near it glove three parts submerged. But that was all. The mute's dying grip any fear. Later, I heard that when they dragged the two out next day, l his fingers were in the others eye sockets. his teeth in his throat. If ever a man found death sweet, it was he.
 As we turned slowly from the black . water, some shuddering. some crossing themselves. the lieutenant looked . vengefully at me. Curse you." he said. In sudden fury. "I believe you are glad!"
 "He deserved his fate" answered Y. coldly Why should ! pretend to be sorry? T. was now or in three months. And for the other poor devils sake am glad"
 He glared al me a moment. in speeches. anger At last. 'T should like to have you tied up." he said. between his teeth.
 T should have thought that you had had enough of tying up for one day" ret0rted. But there: it comes of making officers out of the canaiIIe. Dogs love blood. The teamster must still lash something if he can no longer lash his horses %
 We were back. a sombre little pro cession. at the wooden bridge. when I aid this. He stopped suddenly. Very we'll" he replied. holding viciously. That decides me, Sergeant. light me this way with a lanthOrn. The rest of you to the village. Now Master Spy" ae continued. glancing at me with ZlOOmy spite. your road Is my road. think I know how to cook your goose'
 I shrugged my houlders in disdain. !nd together. the sergeant leading he way with the light. we crossed the meadow and passed through the gate Ehere mademoiseIle had kissed my iand and up the ghostIy walk between he Tosebushes- I wondered uneasily yhst the lieutenant would be al and That he intended: but the Iznfhorn iEht which now fell on the ground