The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-08-03
THE
JW!yn Mystery !

that he had kept out Of his chiefs
way, and now on his return to free,
dom he had been lounging round from
one old haunt to another, and ex-
changing drinks with the boon COM
panions Of his fallen days, until he
had arrived at the stage he had
craved to reach for one-andtthirty
weary and thirsty days; the stage
when conscience retired to its kennel
and ceased to bark at him; the stage
where the contemplation of his bank
rupt resources ceased to worry him;
the stage where roses bloomed every
where, until sleep gripped him and
new remorses. 5 Z,
It is not to be supposed that Billery
as yet was drunk. He had reached
the expansive and affectionate period
when misfortune had no power to
wound and he was ready to love his
greatest enemy as brother. He
walked steadily, with perhaps rath.
er more stately bearing than common,
and his eye was bright. Now and
again he smiled, and people who
passed him thought him very happy
and good-humored gentleman, but If
you had asked him what he smiled at
he could not have told you to save his
life. The sick spirit of the man was
out of pain, as it never was when he
was altogether sober.
The gas lights were twinkling in the
delightful summer dusk, and the hall
of the building in which Alexis Brang-
wyn had his London pied-a-terre was
not yet Illuminated. He knew his way
| fairly well. but he was stepping with
caution in the dark when the door of
the chambers Of which he was in
search suddenly opened, and in the
gush Of clear electric light which
came from within he saw the figures
of Alexis Brangwyn and his old serv-
| ant Grimaud. It was not at all sur.
prising or unnatural thing that the
Frenchman should call upon his an
cient employer, from whom, so far as
Billery knew, he had parted on friend
ly terms. Yet it struck him oddly, and
he thought of his chance encounter
with the foreigner as he met him
fastening apparently in the direction
of Agar row.
''There, now" Alexis was saying,
"for heavens sake, go. If you have
anything more to say, put it in writ
ing. Don't come here again." He
spoke in French, and Grimaud an
swered in the same language.
II do not like writing, Monsieur
Alexis. It is not safe"
There Billery thought It well to re-
veal his presence by cough. The
two men started violently and turned
toward him.
"Helloa, Billery," said Alexis, in an
unsteady voice. "That you, old fell
low? Come inside. Good night,
Adolphe. You remember Adolphe,
Billey, don't you, h: the cid barrack
1 in the Cite d'Antin?"
ooh, yes" said Billesk, IT remem-
Der Adolphe. met him only the 9TH
er day. How do you do, Adophe?"
Billery thought he guessed some
thing Of what had happened. The
face of Alexis was in the shade, and
it was not possible to see 1t clearly,
but his eyes looked wild and staring,
and the hand which he had stretched
out in greeting had shaken in his
| own like the hand of man with q
/ palsy.
Go in, Billery," said Alexis. "Good
night, Adolphe."
Billery passed in and Alexis closed
the door behind him. From the en-
trance hall they passed into an apart
ment Of fine proportions, exquisitely
furnished, with almost feminine
character in its luxuriance, except
that it was rich with statuary and
heavily-framed paintings. There were
| flowers in profusion, and the lustrous
grand piano was fairly banked about
with them, as If the room had been
prepared for some sort of festival
! Billery knew the fashion. 1t was one
of his old friends harmless eccentrici-
| ties to live in conservatory. But
there was one thing that struck his
| eye and held it. On dainty table of
marqueterie, in the middle of the
room, stood a dainty little gallipot,
and the gallipot was half-filled with q
dirty grey paste. Billery looked from
this object to his friend, and Alexis
face was frightful. A very pang Of
pity shook the visitor.
My poor, poor, dear old pail" said
Billery, with sudden tears singing in
his eyes. What is the matter?"
Natter" said Alexis. What
should be the matter?" Z
i alex" said Billery, with his hand
on his friends shoulder, petting and
soothing him, = more than guess the
purpose Of that fellows visit. 1 had
half q mind to tell you myself to-
night"
/ You?" answered Alexis. you?
Good heavens!" His legs failed be-
meath him, and he dropped as ii he
had been poleaxed. BY pure hazard
there vas 9 great padded armchair
behind him, otherwise he would have
II