The Virginia enterprise., 1908-08-21


throb in sympathy"
'True enough" responded her hus'
band. Peter is in love with her mon
ey, Julia, and I believe it will cause
him much pain when he parts with
half of it to us after the marriage.
Ring the bell, Lupin, and We'll drink
a fresh bottle of wine. This waiting
is thirsty work"
AS the little man turned to obey,
NJ. Claude strode into the room and
leveled pistol at his head.
"Stand over there beside your
friends" he ordered, sternly. shrek
burst from the woman's lips and her
husband uttered an oath of surprise.
M. Lupin backed nervously to the
wall, and the three conspirators re-
garded the chiefs menacing figure in
blank dismay. Raymond was FIRST to
recover himself.
''Who the devil are you and what
do you want here?" he demanded,
viciously.
With his disengaged hand M.
Claude pulled off hat and wig and
pointed to the staring face of NJ. Lupin
ASK that man, that ex-galley slave"
he responded, cheerily.
1T is M. Claude, the Paris chief of
police calculated Lupin. my friends,
we are undone. This man is of the
devil; it was he that sent me to the
galleys five years ago."
"You were physician then," broke
in the chief, "and l suppose still
possess your old skill. Remove Cap
tain Ratcliffe from that coffin and re-
store him at once. You, madame, and
your husband will be seated and do
not move at peril of your lives.'
Raymond scowled vindictively, but
complied and his wife followed his
example. The physician bent over
the coffin and attempted to raise the
shrouded form within.
He is heavy man and l am not
strong, NJ. Claude" he whined.
assist your confederate, NJ. Ray.
mond, and be quick about it, com.
manded the chief.
Raymond rose from his chair and
as NJ. Claude glanced aside for an
instant seized the opportunity to
make spring towards the door. The
chiefs pistol cracked sharply, but the
bullet flew wide, and Raymond flew
swiftly down the hall.
1T was not my fault, NJ Claude
whimpered Lupin, as the chief turned
upon him fiercely. Look to your
safety, monsieur. His bandits are
carousing in the kitchen and he has
gone to fetch them"
Even as he spoke, Raymond, lead.
| ing four villainous looking ruffians
welding flashing knives, reappeared
"The tables are turned, NJ. Claude
he cried and leaped forward, long
wicked blade glittering in his hand
Again M. Claude fired and this time
the bullet struck Raymond squarely
in the forehead and he fell corpse al
the feet of the chief. The fate of theil
leader checked the onset of his com
panions and as they hesitated the re
port of M. Claude's weapon was an
swered by yell from without and the
hurrying tramp of many feet. There
was loud crash as the front door o.
the chateau burst open before head
long charge, and NJ. Blauvert and his
men rushed into the room.
"You arrived in good season, M
Blauvert," said the chief, coolly "Se
cure these persons, with the excep
tion of this eminent physician until he
has finished with his patient. Nc
doubt you recognize him"
The inspector INDUCED in a salts
! fed smile as he gazed upon the little
man.
"Our friend of the galleys, NJ Lupin
alias LFange, who escaped two
months ago." he commented. "Are
these all, M. Claude?"
"You will find another wounded In
a chamber on the second floor" re.
| sponded the chief. Let M. Lupin at.
tend to him when he has restored
Captain Ratcliffe to consciousness
And remove that coffin, so that the
American will not see it when he re.
gains his senses. He has passed
through strange experiences and must
| be spared any further shock. Miss
Thurber, I presume, is at the inn?"
"Yes, M. Claude" replied the In
| spector. "The brave girl was ex.
hausted from the speed with which
she fastened to deliver your message
My men had not arrived when she
came and l was starting of alone:
when fortunately they made their ap.
pearance. Your friend is recovering"
He pointed to Captain Ratcliffe,
whose eyes slowly opened and rested
upon the kindly features of the chief
M. Claude sat down beside the
American and took his hand gently.
For moment Ratcliffe gazed at him
with an uncomprehending stare.
AL is we'll, M. Ratcliffe." said the
chief, cheerily. "Your lady is safe
at the Golden Grape and your arch
enemy, NJ. Raymond, has met with
we'll merited DEATH"
But" began the American, II dc
not understand-you are M. Debrosses
but your hair"
''Was assumed like the name," in.
terrupted the chief, gayly. Il am
Claude, the unworthy head of the pre-.
lecture at Paris"
A few days later Tie chief, resumine
the routine of duty, was warmly con.
graduated by DR.. MARITIME on the
improvement in his physical condition.
"You must admit that my diagnosis
OF your case was q correct one, my
| dear M Clauden said tho sl,rnoox