Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-09-05
~, NV
Chapter XXT%G
ruE PRISONER AT THE BUNGALOW.

"C @S0 \ Vienna. Fridayp'
- - There b ould be
great deeds. my dear
"a il Jules" And NJ Du-
n S00 rand adjusted the wick
of smoking brass
lamp that hung suspended from the
ceiling Of a room Of the inn, store and
postoffice at Lamar.
Meanwhile. this being but Wednes-
day. we have our work TO do"
(which is not so simple. after all. as
one studies the situation. Mr.. Armitage
is here. quite within reach. We sus-
pect him Of being a person Of distinc-
ton He evinced unusual interest IN a
certain document that was once in
your hands
"our own hands. If you would be ac-
curate"
you are captous. But. granted so.
we must get them back The gentle
man is dwelling in a bungalow on the
mountain side for greater convenience
in watching events and wooing the
lady OF his hearts desire. We employ
ed a clumsy clown 20 put him out OF
the world. but he dies hard. and now
we have got to get rid Of him. But If
he hasn't the papers on his clothes then
You have this pleasant scheme for
kidnapping him. getting him down TO
your steamer at Baltimore and cruis-
ING with him until he is ready to come
20 terms. The American air has done
much for your imagination. my dear
jules, or possibly the altitude OF the
hills has OvcrStfmulafpd ffw
You are not the fool YOU look. my
dear Durand You have actually TAX
en- "a fair grasp OF the situation"
"But the adorable young lady. the
fair Mile. Claiborue-what becomes Of
her I'm THESE transactionsT
THAT is none OF your affair."" replied
Chauvenct frowning. Il am quite
content with my progress I have not.
finished In that natter"
Neither it would seem. has Mr.
John Armitage. But am quite well
satisfied 20 leave Ct 20 you In a few
days we shall know much more than
we do now. I should he happier 20 YOU
were in charge On Vienna. A false
step there-u-h. hesitate 20 think OF
the wrctched mess there would be-"
Trust Wiukelried 90 do his fun
duty. You must not FORGET that tho
acute Strochel now sleeps the LONG
sleep and that many masses have all
ready been said for the rcpose OF his
intrepid soul"
'The splendor Of our undertaking Is
enough 90 draw his ghost from tho
grave. Ugh. BY this time Una
should have filed our cable-ram nj th,
Springs and got your mail nc the hotel
/ hope you have not misplaced your
confidence IN the operator there. Com
ing back our giant must pass Arml-
tages house"
"Trust him to pass II. His encoun.
sers with Armitage have not been TO
his credit"
The two men were dressed In rough
clothes. rs FOR an outing. and I'm spite
Of the habltual triding tone OF their
talk they wore serious air. Du-
rand's eyes danced with excitement.
and he twisted his mustache nervous
ly. Chauvenet had gone 10 Washing
ton TO meet Durand. 70 get from him
news Of the progress OF the conspiracy
In Vienna and. not least. TO berate him
for crossing the Atlantic. 81 do not
require watching. my dear Durand."
he had said.
"A man in love, dearest Jules, some
times forgets." But they had gone
into the Virginia hills amicably and
We're quartercd with the postmaster.
They waited now for Zmai. whom
they had sent 10 the Springs with a
message and TO get Chauvenets mail.
Armitage. they had learned. used the
Lamar telegraph Office. and they had
decided 20 carry their business else
where.
While they waited In the bare upper
room OF the inn for Zmai the big Ser
Wan tramped up the mountain side
with an aching head and heart heavy
with dread. The horse he had left tied
in thicket when be plunged down
through the Claiborne place had bro
ken free and run away, so that be
must now trudge back afoot to report
TO his masters. He had made a mess
OF his errands and nearly lost his life
besides The bullet from Oscars re-
volver had cut a neat furrow in his
scalp. which was growing sore and
stin as II ceased bleeding. He would
undoubtedly be dealt with harshly by
Chauvenet and Durand. but he knew
that the sooner he reported his calami-
ties the better so he stumbled toward
Lamar, pausing at times TO clasp his
small head in his great hands. When
he passed the wild tangle that hid
Armitage's bungalow he paused and
I7o