The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-10-01

the wall cautiously, kicked them open,
peered into the room where Armltage's
things were scattered about aud found
his iron bed empty. Then he walked
quickly TO the yeranda aud summoned
the others,
Bring him I'M" he said without TAX.
ing his eyes from the room.
A moment later Zmal had lifted the
silent rider to the yeranda aud dung
him across the threshold Durand, now
aroused. fastened the horses 10 the yo-
mnda rail
Chauyenet caught up some candles
from the mantel and lighted them.
"open the trunks In those rooms and
be quick | win Join you In mo
ment" And MS Durand turned into
| Armltage's room Chauvenet peered
again into the other chambers, called
once or twice In low tone, then turn
ed TO Zmai and the prisoner,
Take OF the bag" he commanded
Chauvenet studied the lines OF the
erect, silent figure as Zmal loosened
the strap drew OFF the bag and step.
ped back toward the table on which
be had laid bis revolver for easier ac-
fess.
"Mr. John Armltage"--
Chauvenet, his revolver half raised,
had begun an ironlcal speech but the
words died on his lips. The man who
stood blinking from the sudden burst
VI light was not John Arinitage, but
Captain Claiborne.
The perspiration on Ciaiborne's face
had made a paste OF the dirt from the
potato sack, which gave him weird APP
pearance. He grnned broadly. adding
a fantastic horror TO his visage which
caused Xmai TO leap back toward the
door, Then Chnuvenet cried aloud, a
cry OF anger. which brought Durand
into the hall ut Jump. Claiborne
shrugged his shoulders, shook the blood
into his numbed arms. then turned his
besmeared face toward Durand and
laughed. lie laughed long and loud
as the stupefactlon deepened on the
faces OF the two men.
The objects which Durand held
,aused Claiborne to stare, and then be
laughed again, Durand had caught up
from hook IN Amitage's room black
cloak, NO long that II trailed ut length
from his arms its red lining glowing
brightly where 1t lay against the outer
black From the folds of the cloak a
sword, plucked from a trunk, dropped
upon the floor with CLEAN OF It's
bright scabbard. In his right hand he
held a silver box Of orders, and ms his [
arm fell at the sight OF Claiborne the (
gay ribbons and cleaning pendants
flashed to the floor
1T IN not Armitage; we have made
mistake" muttered ChauyeDet tamely,
his eyes falling from Clalborne's face
TO the clonk, the sword. the tangled
heap OF ribbons on the floor
Durand stepped forward with an
oath
"Wbo IL the manT' he demanded
ut is my friend Captain Claiborne.
We owe the gentleman an apology
Chauyenet began.
you put Il mildly" cried Claiborne In
English. his back to the fireplace, his
arms folded and the smile gone from
his face. Il don't know your compan.
Ions M. Cbauyenet, but you seem In
clined 10 the gentle arts OF kidnapping
and murder. Really, Monsieur
ut is a mistakel II II unperdonablel
! can only offer you reparation any
thing you ask" stammercd Chauyenet.
you are looking for John Armitage,
are your demanded Claiborne holly
without needing Chnuveners words
''Mr. Armitnge is not here. He WINS In
storm Springs tonight Mt my house
He Is a brave gentleman, and ! warn
you that you VIII inJure him at your
peril You may kill n,e here or stran-
gle me, or stick knife into me II you
will be better satisfied that way, or
you may kin him and hide his body
IN these hills; but, by God. there VIII
Do no escape for you! The highest
powers Of my government know that ]
im here. Baron Won Marbof knows
hat | am here. | have an engage
nent 20 breakfast with Baron Won
Narhof al his house at y O'Clock In
be morning. and II am not there !
very agency " the government WI !
~ put 10 work 10 ind you. Mr.. jules .
,bauYenet, and these other scoundrels 9
sho travel with you" J
-You are violent. my dear SIR be-
an Durand, whose wits were coming .
'ack 10 him much quicker than
II am not as violent as shall bs " =
get troop Of cavalry from Fort
flyer down here and hunt you like rab-
Its through the bills And ] advise
gu 10 cable winkelried at Vienna that
be game IN al on /"
Chsuyenet suddenly Jumped toward =
he table. the revolver still swinging y
I arms length.
You know too much"
II don't know any more than Armi. Q
hge ana Baron won harhof and my
stber and the honorable secretary ~ Z
tsts m x.tkt... - 49, .ussaEsu Z II