The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-01-06

the property" replied M. Villebois,
drily.
..But-say the chateau alone, with
out foot of land around it; snall we
say ten thousand pounds?" asked NJ.
Latour.
81 have refused that sum already"
"Im 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 M. villebois. Am I mad or
are you? The place isn't worth it. Is
this dream. parbleu! or am / talking
to real man."
you'll think me real enough when
count out the bank-notes to you.
Wen, what is it. You accept?"
Eyes. I'll take a hundred thousand
pounds; but where's the money!" ejac-
ulated NJ Villebois, delirionsly, as IL
recovering from trance.
.Oa, It's ret mile eff, replied NJ.
Latour, laconically. SO, as we now
agree, here are the conditions.
"You have, no doubt, heard that
your grandfather, who died during the
revolution, left will and vast fer
tune
Yves, my father told me all about
it,
ssWell, in those troubled times, he
was fortunate enough to be able to
realize all his Investments in and near
Paris-everytaing he possessed, in
fact, except this far off chateau-and
convert the same into hard cash. His
fortune over and above this property,
exceeds 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 a plan marking
the exact spot where the iron chest
containing the fortune lies buried. It
is on this very property, M. Villebois;
but neither you nor any man in all
creation could discover it, even though
a lifetime were spent digging into
| the bowels of the earth. These are my
terms, M Villebois. You must sign
deed making over to me one-lialf 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
bred thousand pounds.
"But the fortunes my birthrighti
surely commission
u o,.I conditions M
Villebois. If you want the whole,
search for it, especially if you want to
sNorten 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 / 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 hun
bred thousand pounds, payable twelve
hours after possession.
VERY good" exclaimed M. Latour,
placing. the document in his coat
pocket.
1.-THE Chateau Briancourt is my
property from this moment" Then
whispering in the ear of M. Villeboss,
he continued: 1.-THE secret sell to
you only, you understand. You must
find pretext to send away that SER
want of yours till tomorrow morning.
will be here at 6 o'clock this even
ing. Be alone and ready with pick,
shovel, lantern and stout rope
Then with a lordly flourish of his
left hand the new owner of Chateau
Briancourt babe adieu to the Devil
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. Punctually 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 NJ. Latour,
gayly.
Eyes. have everything here" re-
Joined NJ. Villebois.
Follow me then, to the kitchen"
said NJ Latour. leading the way. 81
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 a 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 NJ. Latour, carrying
the tools.
"One-two-three PAGES to the right
of the bottom step.' said NJ. Latour, as
he strobe forward and suddenly stop
ped. "This is the spot-just here.
Now we shall have to raise these
bricks I"