Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-06-17


three detectives. approached the do
serted mouse in the Beaujon quarter
ana entered by the side door. The in
terror OF the building, denuded of It's
rich furnishings, gaped black and
empty before them. Mr. Claude sig.
nailed to one of his assistants to light
the lantern he carried.
we must seek the dukes souve.
mir underground" he said. and direct
ed his steps to a stairway I'm the rear
which wound it's way down to the ceL
lars or the mansion. Midway on the
steps he paused and held up his hand.
Listen! he SAID, with a warning
gesture
a mufIled moan, at times low and
hoarse and again rising into a strident
shrek, broke upon their ears. There
succeeded a harsh, horrible snarlins
as OF brute IN pain or anger.
Nj. Claude shook his head In re-
spouse to the questioning gaze of his
men.
Some new deviltry 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
or the stairs they found themselves
in a vault which apparently extended
under the entire building. 1t 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 a few moments
had died away into silence, now broke
forth with redoubled vigor from tho
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.a
stern voice rang out crisply.
Forward" he commanded. "HoId
the lantern high. Franz, SO that its
rays may shine before u.s."
Peering into the gloom they ad.
vanced cautiously and came to a 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 a
wild beast caused them to spring
back swiftly, but the next instant they
rushed into the room uttering
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
race. 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 banks and
gro~ls, deep and menacing as the
bay of bloodhound.
Despite the awful change in the viz:
age of the unfortunate, NJ Claude REQ.
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 bs
a
dark shape lying PROSTATE and tho
man with the lantern brought tho
light to bear upon It.
"A dog-and dead, NJ. Claude" he
exclaimed. See how its swollen
tongue protrudes from its mouth"
M. Claude bent forward and picked
up an object that his foot had tro6
upon and held 1t to the light. II vas
a piece of meat thickly encrusted with
salt. The chief drew a deep breath
as the truth flashed upon him.
THE explanation is here" he said
This is the dukes revenge and ons
well worthy of him. He caused this
wretched creature to be kidnapped ON
mis- release from prison, chained him
here with a savage mastif. fed the
brute on salt meats and allowed "a
no water until it went mad and AZ.
tackled its companion prisoner"
But the beast is dead" said Fran.
staring at the inert bulk of the huge
animal
"Strangled," responded M. CIaude.
They fought to the death and the
man conquered. but at friebtfuI
cost His hands are bitten into n,ers
shreds of flesh. And he too Is a vic
tim of hydrophobis."
AS he finished speaking the maniac
uttered another terrific veil and snranv
TO an erect posture with his cbaio
clanking furiously. He stood for an
instant with mutilated hands out.
stretched and then lurching forward
fell heavily on the stone floor. His
limbs twitched convulsively, stirened
and lay still. NJ. Claude bent over
him aud saw that a film of chastity
white had settled over the staring
eyes.
1t Is finished" he said softly to his