Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-06-30
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CHAPTER Y.
Leaving the little station ofVesinet,
we come upon two roads. One. 70 the
left, macadamized and kept IN per-
etrepair. leadstothe village, OF which
there are glimpse here and there
through the tree-. The other. new
~ laid out. and just covered with
gravel. leads through the woods.
Along the latter. which before the
lapse of FIVE years will be busy
street. are built few houses, hideous
in design. and az some distance apart;
rural summer retreats of city mer-
chants, but unoccupied during the
winter.
II was at the Ynction of these two
roads that PROSPER stopped the hack.
The driver had Gained his hundred
francs. The hor-e- were completely
worn out. but they had accomplished
all that was expected Of them; NJ.
Nerdurct could distinguish the lamps
OF hack similar to the one ne oc-
cupied, about fifty Yards ahead Of
him.
ing the driver bank note said;
Here is what . promised you. Go
10 the first tavern YOU find on the
riCht-haud side I'D. the road as YOU
enter the VILLAGE. IL We do not meet
YOU there in am hour. YOU are at lib
orts- - return = Paris"
The driver was overwhelming in his
thanks but neither Prosper nor his
friend heard them. They had already
started up the new road.
The weather.. which had been incle-
ment when they set out. was now
fearful. The rain fell in torrents. and
"a furious wind howlcd dismally
through thc dense woods
The intense darkness was rendered
more drcary by the occasional glim-
mer of the lamps at the distant sta-
ton, which seemed about 20 De eN-
tinguishcd ny every new gust OF wind.
~ Nerlurrt and Prosper had been
running along the muddy road for
about five minutes. when suddenly the
latter stopped and said:
This i- Eaoul's house"
Before thc gate of ana isolated house
stood The hack which NJ. Nerdurct
had followed Reclining on his seat,
wrapped in "a thick cloak was the
driver, who. in spite Of the pouring
rain, was already asleep, evidently
waiting for The person whom he had
brought 90 this house a few minutes
ago.
NJ. Nerduret pulled his cloak. and
said. ia "a low voice;
Wake zap. my good man."
The driver started, and. mechanical
ly gathering his reins. yawned out;
Il am ready: come on"
But when. by the light of the car
riage lamps, he saw two men in this
lonely spot, ne imagined that they
wanted his purse. and perhaps his
life.
II am engaged" he cried out. as
he cracked his whip in the air; Il am
waiting here for someone"
Il know that, you fool" replied NJ
Nerduret, and only wish TO ask you
a question, which you can gain five
francs by answering. Did you not
bring a middle-aged lady here?"
This question, this promise of five
francs, instead of reassuring the
coachman, increased his alarm.
Il have already told you am wait
ing for someone" he said, land. if
you don't 20 away and leave me alone,
l viii call for help"
NJ. Nerduret drew back quickly.
Come away" he whispered 20 Pros
II H.. Il.
the alarm once given, farewell to our
projects. We must find some other
entrance than by this gate"
Then they went along the wall sur
rounding TIE garden, in search of a
place where il was possible to climb
lup.
This was difficult to discover, the
wall being IL feet high, and the night
tvery dark. Fortunately, NJ. Verduret
Twas very agile; and. having decided
upon the spot 10 be scaled, he drew
back few feet. and making a sud
den spring. seized one of the pro-
jecting stones above him, and draw
Ing himself up by aid of his hands and
feet. soon found himself on the top
OF the wall.
IL was now Prosper's turn TO
ichmb up; but, though much younger
than his companion, he had not his
Iagility and strength, and would never
have succeeded il NJ. verduret had not
pulled him up, and then helped him
down on the other side.
Once in the garden. NJ. verduret
looked about him to study the situa-