The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-10-03
THE JOLLY ROVERS

after swiftly counting the money be-
fore him, and in an instant the eager
crowd OWNED the truth.
Archibald Grant had broken the
bank!
So strangely fascinating was this re-
markable old mans companionship
that | felt constrained to accept his |
invitation, and We went down the |
steps together into the brightly-lit |
place, where many people were stroll |
ing about, and the band was still play
ing before the gay cafe. We did not
enter his hotel as expected, but kept
on down the steep hill to La Conda-
mine, until | wondered where We were
To eat our meal. The moon was hid
den by bank of cloud, and as We de-
scended the hill the great, steep for
tress rock of Monaco. looming up in
T. the darkness across the bay, was
aglow with its rows of .streetlamps,
while in the little harbor the mast
head lights of one or two yachts looked
like fire-flies in the distance. The
deep-toned note of the clock on the
Palace of Monaco struck IL, and at
last, having passed the baths, my
friend stopped at the steps leading to
the water, and said:
Here we are!"
/ glanced down in surprise, and then
saw in the gloom boat waiting,
manned by four smart sailors, who sa-
luted. Without word | stepped in.
I S<x1v nd NM
ment later the dip of the oars sounded,
and we sped swiftly across the bay to
huge, magnificent, white-painted
yacht, the only light showing being
the one at the masthead, which
cleaned white like miniature search
light.
First, we'll see how much we've
relieved the Maison de Blanc Of this
/ time" he said, inviting me TO seat;
and then taking handful after handful
of thousand-franc notes from the pock-
cts of his shabby clothes, he piled
them together on the long table, after
wards counting them, an operation in
which | assisted.
Seven hundred and fifty-two thou
sand francs" he observed, when he
had concluded. Just 5000 more than
last Christmas
Really, my dear sir!" cried. You
ought to consider yourself fortunate"
Last Christmas I won $4,000 from
the Internal tripot," he observed, IN
strange, croaking voice, and opening
box he took out some great packets
of French bank-notes. adding: And
here they are!"
Then you never touch your win.
nings?" exclaimed, amazed. for had
recognized that in the tiny cabin was
an enormous store of wealth.
"Never!" he answered <"You see
, that row of boxes, each with the date
of year upon them. All my winnings
are there"
, You spend d good deal of your time
yachting, l SUPPOSE" l said.
YES" he answered, I've sailed
: good many seas in the Garbino. l rur
either into villefranche or here into
7 Monaco each December. cruise from
! the Constant to Glib through the spring
and run up as far as the North Cape
, in June. But you must be hungry,
: and he touched the electric buttor
5 suspended over the table, whereupor
: there appeared the ugliest and mos
D gigantic negro that | have ever Sc
eyes upon.
2 Grant chatted affably as We fed, ant
r when referred to the gruesome decor
4 80 ho mo 1au
( saying:
: Its within of mine. When Dough
5 this vessel l turned her inside out"
The cigar he had given me was un
j commonly strong. AS rule, smoked
e cigarettes; but this Havana had a sub
l. tie flavor which l liked. therefore
consumed it until in the smoke clouds
y all seemed to become misty and indis
y tinct. and / saw before me the strang'
rather grotesque- looking face of m,
t affable friend, the millionaire, and be
II hind him the black and silver hang
ings. the gruesome emblems of death
a The face seemed slowly to assume
n hideous. repulsive expression. with it
r thin lips parted in grin of satfsfat
e ton at the mysterious Fascination
e which that pair of dark eyes exercise
e over me. There was tightness abou
h my chest, and | held my breath. fee
n ing that ! must rouse myself. tough
T. against the curious, nauseating drows
d ness which crept over me, and trie
n to announce my departure, but m
q Jaws seemed fixed. my tongue refuse
" to articulate. and with the sound {
n strange voices in my ears sudde
Ia. blank fell upon me and knew n
In more.
)0l INV long / remained unconsciou
O. things about me know not
~ rose unsteadily, shook myself. an
is staggered upstairs to the deck. tn
k vessel was of larger proportions tina
II ! / had believed. trim and well-kep