The Virginia enterprise., 1908-05-29

ing save that of gain Desolated by
the thought of leaving a false i'm.
preston on the mind of such an ad.
mlrable man have endeavored to
prove to you that prince of my blood
is competent to execute revenge upon
one who incurs his displeasure
through a far more satisfactory me.
dium than that of your police courts.
Hasten therefore. my dear friend, and
behold the proof of my assertion.
'Lambay."
Shortly after receiving the above
mlsslve. M. Claude, accompanied by
three detectives, approached the de-
serted house in the Beaujon quarter
and entered by the side door. The in
terror of the building, denuded of its
rich furnishings. gaped black and
empty before them Mr.. Claude sig
nailed to one of his assistants to light
the lantern he carried.
I'VE must seek the dukes souve
mir underground he said, and direct
ed his steps to a stairway in the rear
which wound its way down to the cel-
lars OF the mansion. Midway on the
steps he paused and held up his hand
Listen!" he said with a warning
gesture.
A muff1ed moan. at times low and
hoarse and again rising into a strident
Shrek, broke upon their ears. There
succeeded harsh, horrible snarling
as of brute in pain or anger.
M. Claude shook his head in re.
sponse to the questioning gaze Of his
men.
Some new dcviltry of his grace"
he said, drily. Let us proceed, but
be wary"
He produced a pistol and having
examined the charge carefully crept
cautiously downward with the detec-
tives at his heels. Reaching the foot
of the stairs they found themselves
in vault which apparently extended
under the entire building. It was
traversed by corridor and on either
side yawned the open doors of small
rooms apparently intended to accom-
modate provision and wine supplies
for the house.
The noise, which for few moments
had died away into silence. now broke
forth with redoubled vigor from the
far end of the corridor, and the
clashing of iron against stone mingled
with the hoarse, cultural growls and
ear splitting cries which had appalled,
the listeners before
The detectives paused and glanced
askance at each other, but M. Claude's
stern voice rang out crisply
"Forward!" he commanded. Hold
the lantern high. Franz. so that its
rays may shine before u.s."
Peering into the gloom they ad.
vanced cautiously and came to halt
before the closed door of a room at
the end of the passage. NJ. Claude
turned the handle and the door swung
open easily. A snarl like that of
wild beast caused them to spring
back swiftly, but the next instant they
rushed into the room uttering a
simultaneous cry of horror at the
sight that met their startled gaze.
Chained to an iron staple in the
wall there crouched in a corner the
naked figure of man whose wide
staring eyeballs glared hideously in
the yellow light of the lantern. His
face, crusted with blood clots and
horribly lacerated, writhed convulsive-
ly as they looked upon it, Then from
his foam-covered lips issued a mani
acal yell. which changed at its high.
est note into series of barks and
growls. deep and menacing as the
bay of a bloodhound.
Despite the awful change in the vis-
age Of the unfortunate, NJ Claude rec
ognized him at once.
1T is Henry Shaw" he calculated,
"but who or what is that lying beside
him."
In the shadow of the corner could be
discerned the vague outlines of a
dark shape lying PROSTATE and the
man with the lantern brought the
light TO bear upon it.
"A dog-and dead, M. Claude" he
exclaimed. See how it's swollen
tongue protrudes from it's mouth"
M. Claude bent forward and picked
up an object that his foot had trod
upon and held it to the light 1t was
piece of meat thickly encrusted with
salt. The chief drew deep breath
as the truth flashed upon him.
THE explanation is here" he said
This is the dukes revenge and one
we'll worthy of him. He caused this
wretched creature to be kidnapped on
his release from prison, chained him
here with savage mastiff, fed the
brute on salt meats and allowed it
no water until it went mad and at.
tackled its companion prisoner"
But the beast is Dead" said Franz,
staring at the inert bulk of the huge
animal
"Strangled," responded M. Claude.
They fought to the death and the
man conquered, but at a frightful
cost. His hands are bitten into mere
shreds of flesh. And he too is a VIC
tim of hydrophobia."
AS he finished speaking the maniac
uttered another terrific yell and sprang
to an erect posture with his chain
clanking furiously. He stood for an
instant with mutilated hands out
stretched and then lurching forward
fell heavily on the stone aoor. His
limbs twitched convulsively, stifened
and lay still. NJ. Claude bent over
him and saw that a film of ghastly
white had settled over the staring
eyes.