The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-01-03
CHAPTER XVII

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 the Pactolus with DR.. Golli-
pee, who soon verified the adage that APP
pearances are deceptive by bringing Mad
anne Midas back TO health in a wonder
fully short space of time. She was now
convalescent, and, seated in the armchair
by the window, looked dreamily at the
landscape. She vas 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, science at which the &C.
centric old man had spent lifetime He
found Vsndeloup a congenial spirit, for
the young Frenchman had wonderful
liking for the uncanny subject: but there
was a 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 f;id out the
secrets of toxicology for his own ends.
Wearied of the dull routine of the of
fee work, Vandeloup was taking a walk
in the meadows which surrounded the
Pactolus, when he saw DR.. 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. "IIow goes the great work ?"
sCapitally." returned the doctor, with
complacent smile; "just finished Catherine
de Medici'-wonderfu woman, sir-quite
a mistress of the art of poisoning"
"Humph ~ returned Vandeloup,
thoughtfully, Il 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-a very
fair division of labor for getting rid of
people, I must say-bgt what have you
got theref" 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 at the title
French. see! I'm sure it will be pleas
ant reading"
When he was gone the hooking smile
so habituaI to Vandeloup's countenance
faded away, and his face assumed va
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.
"He's an enigma" he thought, refer
ring to the doctor; but he can't suspect
anything. The case may be in this book.
but / doubt if even this man with the
barbarous name can connect CASTOR Van
deloup of Ballarat with Octave Braulard
of Paris.
Ills face reassumed its usual gay look,
end 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 and down
in an excited maner, and talking volubly
in broad Scotch. As to DIR. Gollipeck.
that eccentric Individual was standing in
front of the fire in an distracted manner.
Selma was in another room getting
drink for Madame, and as Vandeloup en-
tered she came back with it.
Good day, Madame" said the French
nan, 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 i shall be quite we'll in a week.
with perfect rest and quiet, of course"
interposed Gollipeck. sitting down.
Which Madame does not seem likely
to get" observed Vandeloup, 6ryly, with
a glance at Mcintosh, who was still pac-
ing up and down the room with an ex-
preston of wrath on. his severe face.
"Ou, ay," said that gentleman, stop
ring in front of vandeloup, with fine
expression OF scorn. do you know
what's the matter WI meY
mot being in your confidence" replied
CASTOR, smoothly, Il can hardly say that
/ do"
Its just that Peter o. yours" said
Archie, with snort; "a poor wicked un-
baptized child o. Satan"
"Archier" interposed Madame. with
some severity.
Your pardon's begged, men," said Ar
chic, sourly turning to her, "but as for
thai rrter body. the saints keep me hand
Nm itching TO give him ane on the head.
ben / think o. him."
What's he been doing?" asked Vande-
loup, coolly. al am quite prepared to
hear anything about him in his present
state"
Its just this" burst forth Archie,
wrathfully. II went into the town to the
hotel, to tell the body he must come back
to the NINE, and I find him not in fit
state fsf a Christian TO speas to-"
Therefore interposed yandeloup, in
his e,el voice, without lifting his eyes,
1T wass pity you did speak to him."
Il went TO the ROOM" went on Archie,
excitedly. without paying any attention
% Vandeloup's remark. IAN he flew on
me wi a dirk. / had the sense to bang
the door to and turn the key in the lock.
Do you call that conduct for a civilized
body?"
1.-The fact is, NJ. vandeloup," 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 M,In- |
tosh. Fancy imp of Beelzebub like |
him in the bowels o. the earth. 1t makes |
my blood run cold when think O. the
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