Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-02
UNDER THE RED ROBE
Continued from Page six.)

NNOuLiuutu IIuui IdSe clA.J
 horse when see one, don't |? know a better than yours, at any rate!"
 should not have been surprised if the other men had interfered; butt suppose he was a leader among them. and they did not, and in a moment we were outside. Three paces through the darkness took US up to the stable, an offset at the back of the inn. My man twirled the pin, and, leading the way in, raised his lanthorn. A horse whinnied softly, and turned its bright, soft eyes on us--a baIdfaced chestnut, with white hairs in it's tail and one white stocking.
 "There!" my guide exclaimed, way ing the lanthorn to and fro boastfully, that I might see it's points. What do you say to that? Is that an under sized pony?"
 'No," I answered, purposely stinting my praise Tt is pretty fair-for this country"
 "Or any country" he answered wrathfully. Any country, I say--I don't care where it is! And have reason to know! Why. man, that horse is- But there, that is a good horse. if ever you saw one!' And with that he ended abruptly and lamely, low ering the lanthorn with a sudden gesture, and turning to the door, He was on the insant in such hurry that he almost shouldered me out.
 But I understood. knew that he had nearly betrayed all-that he had been on the point of blurting out that that was M. de Cocheforet's horse! M. de Coch eforet's, comprenez bien! And while I turned away my face in the darkness. that he might not see me smile, was not surprised to find the man in moment changed. and become, in the closing of the door, as sober and suspicious as before. ashamed of himself and enraged with me, and in mood to cut my throat for trife
 It was not my cue to quarrel, how ever-anything but that. made. therefore, as if had seen nothing and when We were back in the inn praised the horse grudgingly, and like man but half convinced. The ugly looks and ugly weapons I saw around me were fine incentives to caution; and no Italian, flatter myself, could have played his part more nicely than did. But was heartily glad when it was over and found myself. at last, left alone for the night in little garret-a mere fowl-house-upstairs, formed by the roof and gable walls and hung with with strings of apples and chestnuts. It was a poor sleeping-pl -place-rough, chilly and unclean. ascended to it by ladder; my cloak and little fern formed my only bed. But was glad to accept it. It enabled me to be alone and to think out the position un- watched.
 Of course M. de Cocheforet was at the chateau He had left his horse here, and gone up on foot: probably that was his usual plan. He was therefore within my reach, in one sense-I could not have come at better time-but ID another he was as much beyond it as if I were still in Paris. So far was from being able to seize him that I dared not ask question or let fall a rash word, or even look about me freely. saw dared not. The slight est hint of my mission. the faintest breath of distrust. would lead to throat cutting-and the throat would be mine; while the longer lay in the village, the greater suspicion should incur and the closer would be the watch kept over me.
 Tn such position some men might have given up the attempt and saved themselves across the border But l have always valued myself on my fidel> ity, and did not shrink. If'not to-day, tomorrow; If not this time, next time. The dice do not always turn up aces, Bracing myself. therefore, to the occasion, crept, as soon as the house