Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-10-23
CHAPTER. XVII.


recovered from the shock caused by her
encounter with her husband. The blow
he had struck her on the side of the head
turned out to be more serious than was
at first anticipated, and Selma deemed
it advisable that doctor should be called
in. So Archie went to Ballarat, and re-
turned to tine Pactolus with DR.. Coli
pee, who soon verified the adage that APP
pearances are deceptive by bringing Mad
anne Midas back to health in wonder
fully short space of time. She was now
convalescent, and seated in the armchair
by the window, looked dreamily at the
landscape. She was thinking of her hus-
band, and in what manner he would an
noy her next; but she half thought that
having got the nugget he would now leave
her alone.
One result of Madame's illness was that
NJ. Vandeloup had met DIR. Gollipeck, and
the two, though apparently dissimilar in
both character and appearance had been
attracted to one another by liking which
they had in common. This was the study
of toxicology, a science at which the &c
centric old man had spent a lifetime. He
found Vandeloup a eongenial spirit, for
the young Frenchman had wonderful
liking for the uncanny subject; but there
was difference in the aims of both men,
Gollipeck being drawn to the study of
poisons from pure love of the subject
whereas Vandeloup wanted to find out the
secrets of toxicology for his own ends.
Wearied of the dull routine of the of
flee work, Vandeloup was taking a walk
=, H. which InJ H.
Pactolus, when he saw DIR. Gollipeck shut
fling along the dusty white road from the
railway station.
"Good-day, Monsieur lie Medecin," said
Vandeloup, gaily, as he came up to the
old man. How goes the great work."
"Capitally," returned the doctor, with a
complacent smile; lust finished Catherine
de Medci'-wonderfu woman, sir-quite
a mistress of the art of poisoning"
'Humph - returned Vandeloup,
thoughtfully, 81 do not agree with you
there: it was her so-called astrologer,
Ruggieri, who prepared all her potions
Catherine certainly had the power, but
Ruggieri possessed the science very
fair division of labor for getting rid of
people, l must say-but what have you
got there" nodding towards a large book
which Gollipeck carried under his arm
For you" answered the other, taking
the book slowly from under his arm-a
work on toxicology."
Thank you," said Vandeloup, taking
the heavy volume and looking az the title.
French. / see I'm sure it will be pleas
ant reading"
When he was gone the mocking smile
so habitual TO Vandeloup's countenance
faded away, and his face assumed a
thoughtful expression. He opened the
book and turned over the leaves rapidly,
but without finding what he was in search
of With an uneasy laugh he shut the
volume with a snap and put it under his
arm again.
"Be's an enigma" he thought, refer
ring to the doctor; "but he can't suspect
anything. The case may be in this book,
but l doubt if even this man with the
barbarous name can connect CASTOR Van
deloup of Ballarat with Octave Braulard
of Paris.
His face reassumed its usual gay look,
and he walked into the house and found
Madame Midas seated in her arm chair
near the window looking pale and i'll,
while Archie was walking up ard down
in an excited maner, and talking volubly
in broad Scotch. AS to DIR. GolIipeck,
that eccentric individual was standing in
front of the fire in an distracted manner.
Selma was in another room getting a
drink for Madame, and as Vandeloup en-
tered she came back with it.
Good day. Madame" said the French
man, advancing to the table, and putting
his hat and the book down on it. How
are you to-day?"
Better, much better, thank you," said
Madame, with faint smile: the doctor
assures me / shall be quite well in week"
with perfect rest and quiet, of course
interposed Gollipeck, sitting down.
(which Madame does not seem likely
to GET" observed Vandeloup, dryly, with
q glance at Mcintosh, who was still pac-
ing up and down the room with an ex-
preston of wrath on his severe face.
lou, ay," said that gentleman, stop
ping in front of Vandeloup, with a fine
expression of seorn. DO You know
what's the matter wi me?''
Not being in your confidence" replied
CASTOR, smoothly, II can hardly say that
l do
ats just that Peter o. yours" said
Archie, with snort; "a poor wicked I'M
baptized child o Satan"
Archie - interpoSed Madame. with
some severity.
'IOur pardon's begged. men," said Ar
chic, sourly turning TO her. but as for
that Peter body. the saints keep me hand
from itching to give him ane on the head.
when l think o him"
What's he been doing?" asked yande-
loup, coolly. Il am quite prepared to
hear anything about him in his present
state
ITS just this" burst forth Archie.
wrathfully. Il went into the town to the
hotel, to tell the body he must come back
to the mine, and l find him not in ft
state for a Christian TO speak to-"
Therefore" interposed Vandeloup, in
his even voice, without lifting his eyes.
1t was pity yor did speak to him"
Il went TO the RON" went on Archie,
excitedly. without paying any attention
to Fsndeloup's remark, IAN he few on
me wi a dirk l had the sense to bang
the door to and turn the key in the lock.
Do you call that conduct for civilized
body?'
The fact is, NJ. Vaodeloup" said Mad
anne, quietly. Archie is so annoyed at
this conduct that he does not want Lee
MARIE TO come back to work"
II should just think So" cried McIn-
tosh. Fancy an imp of Beelzebuh ike
him in the bowels o the earth. 1t makes
my blood run cold when think O. the
bloodthirsty pagan"
To Vandeloup this information was not
unpleasant. He was anxious TO get rid of
Pierre, who was such an incubus, and
now saw that he could send him away
without appearing to wish TO get rid Of