Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-01-11
CHAPTER XII.

ing of gray brick With battered Drown
stone trimmings, at one time perhaps
fashionable residence, but with Its
last vestige of glory long since depart
ed, In the basement was squalid
cobbler's shop. and the restaurant oc-
cupied the first floor. Dirty lace cur
tains hung at the windows, screening
the interior from the street, but when
| mounted the step to the door and en-
tered | found the place typical OF Its
class. | sat down at one Of the little
square tables and ordered bottle of
wine. 1t was NJ Jourdain himself who
brought tia little fat man, with trou
sers very tight and waistcoat very
dazzling The night trade had not yef
begun in earnest so he was for the mo-
ment at leisure. and he consented to
drink a glass of Wine with Inc. | had
ordered the "superieur."
'You have lodgings to let, l suppose.
on the floors above" | questioned
He squnted at me through his glass,
trying with French Shrewdness to read
me before answering.
"Why. yes, we have lodgings. Still, u
man of monsieur's habit would scarce
ly wish"
1.-The habit does not always gauge
the purse" pointed out.
"That is true" he smiled, slipping his
wine. Monsieur then wishes lodg-
ing?"
II should like to look at yours"
"You understand, monsieur" he ex.
planned, that this is good quarter,
and our rooms are not at all the ordi-
mar rooms. Oh, no: they are quite SUI
perior to that They are in great de-
mand. We have only one vacant at
this moment. In fact, l am not certain
that it is yet at liberty. will call my
WIFE"
She was summoned from behind the
counter, where she presided at the
money drawer, and presented to me as
Nine. Jourdain. l filled glass for
her.
Monsieur, here, is seeking lodg-
ing" he began. els the one on tho
second floor back at our disposal yet,
Celie"
His wife pondered the question n
moment, looking at me with sharp lit
tie eyes.
81 do not know" she said at last.
1--WE shall have to ask NJ. Bethune. He
said he might again have need Of it.
He has paid for it until the 18th"
My heart leaped at the name. l saw
that must take the bull by the horns
assume bold front-for if they waited
to consult my pursuer I should never
gain the information was seeking.
''It was through NJ Bethune that
secured your address," l said boldly.
"He was taken i'll this morning His
heart, you know" and 1 tapped my
chest.
They nodded, looking at me, never
theless, with eyes narrow with sus-
picion.
''Yes, monsieur, we know" said
Jourdain 1.-THE authorities at the hos
pital at once notified u.s.
"It is not the first attack" 1 assert
ed, with temerity born Of necessity.
"He has had others, but none SO seri-
GUS as this"
They nodded sympathetically. Plain
ly they had been considerably impress
ed by their ledger.
49," 1 continued brazenly, che
knows at last that his condition Is very
bad, and he wishes to remain at the
hospital for some days until he has
quite recovered In the meantime
am to have the second floor back, which
was occupied by the ladies'"
l spoke the last word with seeming
nonchalance, without the CULVER Of a
lash, though I was inwardly a-quake,
for l was risking everything upon It.
Then in an instant l breathed more
freely. I saw that had hit the mark
and that their suspicious were gradual
ly growing less.
"They, of course, are not coming
back" l added, Eat least not for 81
long time So he has no further use for
the room. This is the fourteenth. can
take possession tomorrow"
They exchanged glance, and Nine.
Jourdain arose.
every we'll, monsieur" she said.
evil you have the Kindness to come
and look at the room?"
l followed her up the stair, giddy ut
my good fortune. She opened door
and lighted gas Jet against the wall.
II am sure you will like the apart
ment, monsiuer," she said. you see,
it is very large one and most COM
Portable"
It was indeed of good size and well
furnished The bed was in kind Of
alcove, and beyond it was a bath-un-
looked for luxury! One thing, however.
struck me as peculiar. The windows
were closed by heavy shutters, which
were barred upon the inside, and the
bars We're secured in place by pad
locks.
81 shall want to open the windows, "
l remarked. "Do you always keep
them barred?"
She hesitated a moment, looking a
little embarrassed.
you see, monsieur, 1t is this way, "
she explained at last. IN Bethune
himself had the locks put on, for he
feared that his poor sister would throw
herself down into the courtyard, which
is paved with stone and where she
would certainly have been killed. She
was very bad some days, poor dear. l
was most glad when they took her