The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-11-19

snarlings. "Ah, your good uncle
keeps some of these little hounds"
said Monsieur Rigaud, seating HIM
self at some distance from Chloe's
black muzzle. "They are said to be
a great protection"
"They are only little useless play.
things of my aunt's," said Arthur,
smiling. "She is very fond of them;
but as for protection, I don't fancy
they are very courageous.
Monsieur Rigaud was looking fur
lively at Arthur's stalwart form.
"You are very tall and very
strong?" he said, interrogatively.
"Yes. l am both.
at is fine thing to have so per-
feet physique" said the old French
man, rather plaintively. Nobody
would like to NEEDLE with you"
"I don't think they would" said
Arthur, smiling. only, of course,
one may be one against numbers.
"True. I wish 1 was strong like
you" he went on; "and 1 wish my
life were of as little value as yours.
Stay! 1 did not mean that. Do not
be offended.
II am not in the least offended"
said Arthur, laughing. my life can
certainly not be considered the least
valuable just now. / hope to make it
so in time"
"Ah, yes, doubtless, Of course you
will; but meanwhile?"
Meanwhile it does not matter"
Certainly. How well .'ou speak.
I have box, little box. 1t contains
papers of no value to any one but
myself; to others useless, but to me
inestjmablN, I went into your room
just now. II was mistake. would
not have intruded for the world, but
am a man of quick observation.
could not help seeing you had there
a strong cupboard with good lock,
a firm, new lock; mahogany cup
board"
"Yes," said Arthur, ait is So.
There is a stout old wardrobe there.
1 hang my coats in it.
"There is nothing of the kind in
my ROOM" said Monsieur Rigaud.
Nowhere to put my little box. And
the housemaid looked at it so much.
What sort of a woman is that house
maid?"
"a very good servant, believe, {"
said Arthur, carelessly. "The SER
wants all are good here"
at is a small favor to ask" said
Monsieur Rigaud. THAT box, might
leave it in your charger"
with pleasure" said Arthur.
"You shall lock it up there yourself. !"
"You are strong, you are young,
said Monsieur Rigaud, admiringly;
"and those whose lives are of small
value live longest and in most safety.
You are sure it will in no way de-
range you?"
"By no MEANS" said Arthur, who
could not help inwardly laughing at
the naive rudeness of the old French
man.
Then let us lose no time" said
Monsieur Rigaud, leading the way
upstairs.
He brought in his box, black
dressing case or dispatch box OF
strong leather, strapped and double
lock. He put it in Arthur's cupboard
and nestled it among his boots in the
farther corner. He then locked the
cupboard and deliberately placed the
key in his pocket.
"But STOP" said Arthur. "Let me
at least get all the clothes want to-
morrow morning."
Monsieur Rigaud gave up the key
very reluctantly, and Arthur good.
naturally bundled out his clothes
and, relocking it, returned him the
! key. They went downstairs and
found their host and hostess ready
for dinner.
Arthur slept soundly that night
very soundly, as his vigorous health
and clear conscience enabled him tt
do. But about 2 o'clock he awokt
there was some one in the room
Arthur had plenty of presence O
mind. He made no movement, blu
lay perfectly still, and through /;
chink in the curtain surveyed wha
was passing in his room.
The shutters were Enclosed ant
the moon shone in, making brillian
white square on the ground, as if
sheet had been laid on the floor; be
yond the square of light it was blacl
darkness, only the dim outline visibl
of the big mahogany wardrobe witt
its door open.
Some one was moving with mos
unnatural stiffness Of movement
Straining his eyes Arthur fancied h
could make out something perso.
sitting on the floor; but the complet
outline was broken by the open doc
Of the wardrobe. He held his breat
and watched more closely.
4 Good Heavens!" he thought. IS
/ it was not delusion of the old fe-
lows after all. His. box was valuable
and some BLACKBOARD is after it."
:. He was just about to spring out c
bed when he was arrested in time
Into the square of moonlight, for on
brief instant, came a hand; the ligE