The Virginia enterprise., 1908-08-21

may hope to accomplish something" ;"
By degrees the newly allied forces
obtained some fresh information re-
garding the inmates of the chateau.
There is some new deviltry hatch
Ing" said the American, passionately,
as soon as he found himself alone
with the chief. 1T distracts me to
think that I must sit here idle, while
heaven only knows what peril may
threaten that unfortunate girl"
"A prize worth having is worth
suffering for" observed the chief,
coolly. Take courage, M. Ratcliffe,
/ have sent to Paris for a person upon
whose judgment l rely and who is
always willing to place his services
at my disposal. He is M. Blauvert, an
inspector of police. Have you any
idea of how many male servants Nj.
Raymond has at his commando"
There are four" replied Ratcliffe,
besides the gardner, who does not ap.
pear to be in his confidence to any
great extent. But the others are q
bad lot and would probably not hesi.
tate to carry out any commission of
their employers, however desperate. -
THE odds are then heavily against
u.s." commented the chief, should
occasion arise for strong-handed meas
ures. But We will endeavor to avoid
violence. M. Ratcliffe. which as a law.
abiding citizen am bound to detest.
During the next two days gossip
was rife in the village regarding the
coming of the physician, NJ. Lupin,
and his unsuccessful endeavors to
combat the disease which finally re-
suited in the patients leath. Also
said busy Dame Rumor, the body OF
NJ. Maynard would not be taken to
England for burial, but inferred in the
little cemetery at Deseil The ar
rival from Paris of coffin confirmed
this report and aroused the chief to
the dispatching of second message
10 his official colleague, ordering him
to come to the village with further
delay.
In the morning when NJ Claude
arose, Ratcliffe had already departed
on his usual tour of inspection. By
noon he had not returned, and the
chief, smoking idly in the doorway OF
the inn, was surprised at the sight
of mine host and his minions busily
engaged in transferring a trunk and
sundry boxes, that NJ. Claude recog
nized as the effects of his late com
panion, from the latter's room to q
carriage standing in the road.
What means this, NJ Quentin? p
inquired the chief. Have you lost a
customer? / supposed that M. Rat
cliffe contemplated making an extend
ed stay under your hospitable roof >
The landlord sighed mournfully.
1T was even so. NJ, Debrosses," he
exclaimed. But see from the chateau
M. Raymond sends message de
manding the property of the noble
captain whom he has persuaded tc
remain as his guest
For an instant the chiefs good ma
ture rebelled against what seemed tc
be an ungracious requital on the part
of the American for his preferred
services. Could it be that Ratcliffe
had arranged terms with the Ray
monds without deeming it worth his
while to acquaint him with the cir
cumstances? On second thought such
possibility seemed absurd. 1t was
IN
lover had fallen into snare skillfully
arranged by his crafty enemies.
The rumbling of wheels attracted
his attention and a post-chaise came
into view from the interior of which al
it drew up at the inn door, there
emerged the person of NJ. Blauvert
1T was my intention to move eau
tiously in this affair."" remarked the
| chief, when he had enlightened his
colleague as to the nature of the
mystery that confronted them, "but
the sudden disappearance Of M. Rat
cliffe precipitates matters.
1T is now three O'clock" said the
chief, "and much may happen in the
interval, but We must take the chance
For the present there is nothing tt
do save wait"
NJ. Claude listened.
Il am going to spy on the chateau
NJ. Blauvert," he said, abruptly. {"
may gain information that will be o.
service to US. Remain here until
your men arrive, when you will fol
low me, in case I have not returned
Impress the landlord as guide, Il
necessary"
M. Blauvert saluted, but made nj
comment. The chiefs evident excite
ment was unusual In man famous fol
his iron nerve, but the inspector knew
better than to demonstrate with him
M. Claude, having first looked care
fully to the loading of a brace o.
heavy pistols, thrust them in hi!
pockets and left the inn. Twenty min
utes Of smart walking brought hin
to the chateau grounds. Avoiding
the main entrance, he followed tht
line Of the low wall for some dis
tance, and choosing a likely spot fo
the attempt clambered over it will
little difficulty. AS he approached tn,
house he saw that it was dark in th'
front, save for one room on tn,
ground floor where rays Of light pene
trated through crevices unshielded b!
the closely drawn window blinds.
Remembering Ratcline's assertion
regarding the place where Alice Thur
Der was confined, he turned to th'
west wing. Here he was rewarded
by the sight of a half-open window
about Is feet from the ground, wher'
a light was visible. The building
was surrounded by trees and N