Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-04-19

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They nodded sympathetically. Plainly
they had been considerably impressed
by their lodger.
$50" l continued brazenly, "he knows
II last that his condition Is very PAD,
and he wishes to remain at the nos
pital for some days until he has quite
recovered. In the meantime, l am 10
have the second floor back, which was
occupied by the ladies'"
l spoke the last word with seemlng
~nonchalance, without the culver or a
lash, though | was ~inwardly aquake;
for l was risking everything upon IL.
Then, in an instant, l breather more
freely. l saw that ! had hit the mark,
and that the suspicious were growing
gradually less.
They, of course, are not coming
back | added; "at least not for a time;
so he has no further use for the room.
This is the fourteenth can take pos
session tomorrow"
They exchanged a glance and Ma
dame Jourdain arose.
Very well, monsieur" she said.
will you have the kindness TO come
and look at the room?'
/ followed her up the stair, giddy
at my good fortune. She opened a
door and lighted a gas jet against the
wall.
Il dIl SURF you VII n IL 0D~NN
ment, monsieur" she said. You see,
it is a very large one ana most
comfortable"
1t was indeed, of good size and well
furnished. The bed was in a kind or
alcove, and beyond it was a b~ath-un-
looked for luxury! One thing how
ever, struck me as peculiar. The WIN
dows were closed by heavy shutters,
which were barred upon the inside, and
-. - zAA,,pAI IN ntnna nv
padlocks.
II shall want to open the windows
! remarked. do you always keep
them barred?"
She hesitated a moment, looking a
little embarrassed.
"Ycu, see, monsieur, 1T is this way"
she explained at last. Monsieur Be
thune 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 a some
days, poor dear. was most glad when
they took her away; for the thought
of her made me V / VIII In the
morning open the windows and air the
room well for you"
That will do nicely" / assented as
carelessly as l could. l knew that l
CHANGED upon a new development,
though / could not in the least guess it's
bearing. What do you ask for the
apartment? ?"
Ten dollars the week, monsieur"
she answered, cycling me narrowly.
| knew it was not worth so much,
and, remembering my character, re-
pressed my first inclination to close the
bargain.
That is a good DEAL" i said hest
family. Haven't you a cheaper room,
Madame ~Jourdain?"
his is the only n we have now
vacant, monsieur she assured me.
/ turned back toward the door with
a little sigh.
Il fear l cannot take it," l said.
Monsieur does 10 understand" she
protested. That price, Of course, in
cludes breakfast"
And dinner?"
She hesitated cycling me again.
For one dollar additional it shall in
clude dinner
Done, madame!" l cried. pay
you for a week in advance" and l
suited the action to the word. only"
l added, "be sure to air the room well
tomorrow, it seems very close. Still
Bethune was right to make sure that
his sister. could not harm herself"
Yes" she nodded, placing the money
carefully in an old purse, with the true
miserly light in her eyes. "Yes-she
broke down most sudden-it was the
departure of her mother, you know,
monsieur
L nodded thoughtfully.
when they first came, six weeks
ago. she was quite well. Then her
mother a position of some sort secured
and went away: she never left her
room after that, just sat there and
cried, or ratified al the doors and win
dows. Her brother was heart broken
about her-no one else would he per-
nit to attend her, but i hope that she
is well now, poor child, for she is again
with her mother"
Her mother came after herr" ]
asked.
"Oh. yes: ten days ago and together
they drove away. BY this time, they
are again in the good France"
I pretended to be inspecting a ward
robe, for l felt sure my face would
betray me. AT a flash l saw the whole
story. There vas nothing more Ma
dame Jourdain could tell me.
Yes" l assented, steadying my voice,
"the good France"
Monsieur Bethune has himself been
absent for a week." she added, ION
affairs of business. He was not GER
tain that he would return, but he paid
us to the fifteenth"
l nodded. Yes: tomorrow--I will
AXE possession then"
Very well, monsieur she asented
/ will have 1t in readiness"
For an instant / hesitated. Should ]
use the photograph? Was 1t neces-
sary? How explain my possession OF 1t +?
Did l not already know all tina Ma
dame Jourdain could tell me? / turned
10 the stair.
Then l must be going" / said: II
have some business affairs to arrange
and we went down together.
The place was filling up with a molly
crowd OF diners. but i paused only to
exchange a nod with Monsieur Jour
dain, and then hurried away. The fugi-
tives had taken the French line, OF
course, and ! FASTENED on to the foot
Of Morton street, where the French
line pier is. A ship was being loaded
for the journey out. and the pier was
still open. A clerk directed me to
the sailing schedule, and a glance at II
confirmed my guess. AT ten o'clock
on the morning of Thursday, April 8
La Savoie had sailed for Havre.
May / see La Savoie's passenger
list? l asked.
Certainly. sir" and he produced it.
l did not. of course, expect to find
Miss Holladay entered upon 1t, yet
felt that a study of II might be re-
paid; N / "a not mistaken. Mrs.
@. r.. Folsom and two daughters had
occupied the cabine de luxe, 436, 43S,
40: on the company's list. which had
been given me, l saw bracketed after
the name Of the youngest daughter the