The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-08-29
THE CHIEF RELAXES

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 N.
Claude pulled OF hat and wig and
pointed to the staring face OF M. 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; 1t was he that sent me to the
galleys five years ago."
''You were physician then" broke
in the chief, land l suppose still
possess your old skill. Remove Cap
tain Radcliffe 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 a heavy man and / am not
strong, M. Claude" he whined.
Assist your confederate, M. Ray
mond. and be quick about It," com
manded the chief.
Raymond rose from his chair and
as M. Claude glanced aside for an
instant seized the opportunity to
make a spring towards the door. The
chiefs pistol cracked sharply. but the
bullet flew wide, and Raymond few
swiftly down the hall.
1T was not my fault, M. 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 rufnans
welding flashing knives, reappeared.
"The tables are turned, M. 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 a corpse at
the feet Of the chief. The fate of their
leader checked the onset of his COM
panions and as they hesitated the re-
port of M. Claude's weapon was an
swered by q yell from without and the
hurrying tramp Of many feet. There
was loud crash as the front door OF
the chateau burst open before head
long charge. and M. Blauvert and hio
men rushed into the room.
You arrived in good season, T.,
Blauvert," said the chief. coolly. "ee-
cure these persons. with the excepl
ton of this eminent physician pntil he
has finished with his patient No
doubt you recognize him"
The inspector INDUCED in q salts
fed smile as he gazed upon the little
man.
Our friend of the galleys. M. Lupin.
alias L'Fange, who escaped two
months ago." he commented. Are
these all, M. Claude?"
You will ind another wounded in
chamber on the second hoor," re-
sponded the chief. Let M. Lupin at.
tend to him when he has restored
Captain Radcliffe to consciousness.
And remove that CONN, 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, presume. IL at the innr
Eyes. NJ. 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 / was starting on 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 Radcliffe gased It him
with an uncomprehending stare.
All is well, M. Radcliffe" said the
chief. cheerily. Your lady IL safe
at the Golden Grape and your arch
enemy, M. Raymond, has met with
well merited death"
But" began the American. Il do
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 the chief, resuming
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 a correct one, my