The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-03-25

J room Of his companion Of the night
before, and going into the passage
he knocked lightly on the door. Ar.
thur felt SURE that it would be locked.
SO that he was greatly surprised when
it yielded at once to his touch. 1t
was evidently not even closed, and
caused his entrance into the DON to
be somewhat precipitate. He began
quickly to apologize, but the words
died upon his lips. The room was
empty, Paul Leduc was gone.
The bed had not been slept in at
all, and in all directions we're the
signs of tina. final departure. Paul
Leduc had evidently changed his
mind, and instead of waiting till the
morning train must have left in the
night. Arthur was puzzled. However,
it was, after all, a matter of no very
great Importance. He found water
in the room, drank it, and returned to
bed.
After this, Arthur Denstone slept
soundly; so soundly that he did not
awaken until he was aroused by the
rustling presence of two individuals
who had come into his room without
any Unnecessary ceremony.
. See how these English sleep!'
one was saying to the other, and the
words reached his ears and caused
him tn npoD hic evpS
Hush, Nanon, he awakes. Mon
%sieur," exclaimed the landlady of La
Pie Blanche" coming up to him with
an air Of excitement and mystery
about her. Monsieur, l hope you
will be so good as to excuse us for
venturing to awaken you, but
But Arthur sprang up. He had
recognized old Nanon, the old wo-
man from Mon Repos, and the sight
Of her gave him a sudden qualm of
dismay. "Nanon!" he exclaimed.
What is it? Has anything hap
pened? 'Mademoiselle Rigaud is ill.,"
NO, no; but we are in distress,
Monsieur" said the old woman,
whose head was shaking with her
agitation; "mademoiselle sent me in
to ask for you, or for Monsieur Paul
to come out to Mon Repos at once,
and it seems that Monsieur Paul has
gone"
Yes, Monsieur Leduc has indeed
gone," said the landlady.
Arthur was rapidly getting into his
clothes. without a moments delay,
Nanon," he said; "but tell me at
once, what is the NATTER"
1T is past eight O'clock" said Ma
non, beginning to cry. "The master
has always been an early riser, and
yet he did not come out, and we
knock, and knock, and call; and Mon
sieur is all alone behind those hor-
rible big doors, and has been like
that since four o'clock yesterday,
when he passed me as he went in,
and forbade that any one should dis
turb him. But oh! Ste Marie des
Anges! I wish we had paid no heed
to his whims and fancies, for knock
as we will he makes no answer, and
Mademoiselle is nearly beside herself
with fright, and Battiste shakes his
head, the old imbecile, and declares
he always knew how it would be some
day. He says the master never an
swered him last night when he
shouted that Demoiselle had come;
but Monsieur Paul spoke to him
later, and he answered then, so he
must have been all right then"
Il am ready" said Arthur, who
had finished his toilette.
At that moment a gentleman whom
he had never seen before came hastily
into his room. Both the women curt
sled.
Monsieur Tasset, u Mayor" said
the landlady.
AT your SERVICE" said Monsieur
Tasset, a close-shaved, intelligent
looking man of about fifty years OF
age. Monsieur" he said, civilly, to
Arthur, II heard of the anxiety at
Mon Repos and fastened to place my
services at your disposal. In cases
like this it is most desirable that
there should be witnesses, especially
as ] understand that Monsieur Leduc
is gone"
Eyes. Is it not stranger" cried the
landlady. HE was to have gone by
the six o'clock train, but when Nit
turin came for his luggage it was
gone. He must have carried 1t to
the station himself"
That being the case,' said Mon
sieur Tasset, II have no doubt, Mon
sieur, that you will be glad to have
my support, as I understand that
you are no relation to the family at
Mon Repos."
Arthur accepted gratefully; he felt
that it might be as we'll. Even in
that quick moment he thought how
rapidly gossip spreads in the little
provincial place. Monsieur Tasset
seemed to know all about him and
his position.
To be Continued.