Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-01-18
business forthwith

81 have not the least intention to sell
the property" replied M. Villebois,
drily.
"But-say the chateau alone, with
out foot of land around it; snail we
say ten thousand pounds ?" asked NJ
Latour.
Il have refused that sum already
"I'm a busy man, M. Villebois, and
things are going to the dogs in Paris
whilst I'm away. A hundred thousand
pounds, cash down; what do you say?''
"a hundred thousand pounds!" ex-
claimed NJ. Villebois. cam 1 mad or
are you? The place isn't worth it. Is
this a dream, parbleu or am I talking
to a real man,"
you'll think me real enough when
1 count out the bank-notes to you.
Well, what is it. You accept?".
Eyes. III take hundred thousand
pounds; but where's the money!" ejac-
ulated M. Villebcis, deliriously, as if
recovering from trance.
ooh, it's not mile off," replied M.
agree, here are the conditions"
"You have, no doubt, heard that
your grandfather, who died during the
revolution, left will and vast for
| tune"
"Yes, my father told me all about
| it."
"Well, in those troubled times, he
was fortunate enough to be able to
realize all his investments in and near
Paris-everything he possessed, in
| fact, except this far off chateau-and
convert the same into hard cash. His
fortune over and above this property,
exceeds a million sterling. Both the
will and all traces Of the where
abouts of the fortune were lost I'M
til a few weeks ago. They are in
Paris now in the hands of my client.
Attached to the will is plan marking
the exact spot where the iron chest
containing the fortune lies buried. 1t
is on this very property, M. Villebols;
but neither you nor any man in all
creation could discover it, even though
lifetime were spent digging into
the bowels of the earth. These are my
terms, M. Villebois. You must sign a
deed making over to me one-half OF
your Inheritance. Out of that half /
will pay to you the hundred thousand
pounds purchase money, so that you
will receive about six and four hun
dred thousand pounds"
"But the fortunes my birthright!
surely a commission"
"You have heard my conditions, M.
Villebois. If you want the whole,
search for it, especially if you want to
shorten your life by bitter disappoint-
ment. Here are the deeds ready for
your signature" added M. Latour, as
he drew from his pocket two manus-
cripts, and placed them on the table.
WELL if 1 must" sighed M. Vile
bois.
mo, no. all you must do is to please
yourself"
So M. Villebois, without further hes
itation, seized the proffered pen and
signed the two documents which re-
lated respectively to the assignment
of half the fortune, and to the sale
of the chateau for the sum of one hum
dred thousand pounds, payable twelve
hours after possession.
Every good" exclaimed M. Latour,
placing the document in his coat
pocket.
"The Chateau Briancourt is my
property from this moment" Then
whispering in the ear of M. Villebois,
he continued: "The secret I sell to
you only, you understand. You must
find a pretext to send away that SER
want of yours till tomorrow morning.
I will be here at o'clock this even
ing. Be alone and ready with pick,
Then with a lordly flourish of his
left hand the new owner of Chateau
Briancourt babe adieu to the bewil-
dered M. Villebois and departed.
jeanette was pleased to hear that
she could go to visit some Of her rela-
tives about four miles away and re-
turn the next day. Principally at the
appointed hour M. Latour tapped at
the door, which was opened by M. Vii
lebois, whose features betrayed his
mental agitation.
'Is all ready?" inquired M. Latour,
gayly.
eyes, I have everything here" re-
joined M. Villebois.
Follow me then, to the kitchen"
said M. Latour, leading the way. II
have the whole plan of the place in my
minds eye."
Taking the pick in hand, he wrench
ed up the wooden flooring, under
which lay stone slab with an iron
ring in it. On raising the slab flight
of narrow stone steps was discovered.
Down went M. Villebois with the Ian
tern, followed by M. Latour, carrying
| the tools.
"One-two-three PAGES to the right
of the bottom STEP" said M. Latour, as
he strobe forward and suddenly STOP