The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-10-26

I The staircase was trifle dim Just
there, and Alexis turned on the landing
to peer downward at the person who
accosted him. 1t was the shabby ffg-
ure. of the street below, but Alexis
looked at him with no recognition.
The man was not addressed for his
apparent station in life, but he was
travel stained, and his face was in a
dusty sweat. He shufaed on his feet
under Alexis's gaze, and the sound he
made on the stone stair proclaimed
1 plainly enough that his boots were
broken.
"Halloa!" said Alexis. who are
you? What do you want?"
Monsieur has forgotten me-" said
the other. II am Lepellitier.'.
"Lepellitier? I don't know you
What do you want?"
Il have message from Grimaud
monsieur"
From Grimaud?" asked Alexis.
"And when did you get your message
from Grimaud, my friend:"
To-day" said the man, after mo-
mentary but noticeable hesitation.
"Ah!" replied Alexis. Come in
side. must see little more of you"
He opened the door and stood aside
for his interlocutor to enter. you
are Lepelletier, are you? And you
bring me message from Grimaud?"
But yes, monsieur" the man an
swered, standing before him and twist
ing his cap in both hands. Il am
Lepelletier, and l have message
from Grimaud."
"Tenez donc," said Alexis. II begin
to think know you. You are an old
convict, n'est-ce pas?'
But yes, monsieur" said the man,
still twisting his cap in both hands.
Il am an old forcat, as you come to
aud"
"And when did you get your author
ity to represent Grimaud?"
To-day, monsieur"
"You are liar, my friend" said
Alexis, quietly. "Grimaud was muir
dered at Manor Vantage at half-past
9 o'clock on tie night of Saturday last
| They bury him tomorrow"
"Ah!" the man answered, coolly.
"They have identified him."
YES" Alexis answered, "he is iden-
to,ed. And now, don't you think, my
friend you had better go?"
Co.," asked the man, with quiet in
science. Go where? To the police?
To the cousin of monsieur? Listen,
monsieur. I am worth your consid
Grafton. Neither monsieur himself.
nor monsieur the cousin of monsieur,
would desireSto have trouble over an
affair which has been buried for so
many years. It is true that Grimaud
has gone, but I am here to represent
him. am discreet. can hold my
tongue. It is worth while to ask me
to hold my tongue. 1t would have
been worth Grimaud's while to have
recognized the hold l have. But he
would not; and as consequence, mon
sieur, succeeded to that unfortunate's
estate"
"You Villains said Alexis, "do you
confess--?"
II confess nothing, monsieur. only
1 say that if Grimaud, had been little
more considerate to an old COM
rade-"
"You killed him." said Alexis, in a
choking whisper.
"Well!" the man answered. II see
no value in denial. Yes, Monsieur
Brangwyn, l killed him. And am
here to take his place. can hold my
tongue as well as he could, and what
he knew know. I will go now for a
hundred francs. and will give you an
address to which you can send more
tomorrow"
Alexis drew out his purse, and
poured little stream of gold upon the
table. 1t was more by far than the
man had asked for, but he did not
pause to count it.
CO." he cried hoarsely Go! And
if you set value on your life never let
me see your face again"
Il will write, monsieur, tonight" he
said, and saluting in military fashion
he went away.
Alexis stood stock still until he
heard the outer door close behind him
Then he cast himself upon couch as
II he were diving into water, and
broke into long fit of passionate
weeping.
"Oh, vain fool" he cried, vain fool!
vain fool! When saw Grimaud's face
this afternoon thought the long ago
ny of fear was over. No help. NJ
help. No rest. No peace. Never
never. Never on this side the gravel
CHAPTER XVIII.