River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-08-20
BEING THE CHRONICLES or A E411OUS RRE1TCT
POLICE DURING 7HE REGLNE OF INF SECOND
EMPIRE, Nv THE REIGN OF NAPOLEONW,

by degrees the newly allied forces
obtained some fresh information re-
garding the inmates of the chateau.
There is some new deviltry hatch
ing" said the American, passionately,
as soon as he found himself alone
| with the chief. 1T distracts me to
think that l must sit here idle, while
heaven only knows what peril may
threaten that unfortunate girl"
"a prize worth having is worth
suffering for" observed the chief,
coolly. take courage, M. Radcliffe,
have sent to Paris for person upon
whose judgment I rely and who is
always willing to place his services
at my disposal. He is M. Blauvert, an
Inspector of police. Have you any
idea of how many male servants NJ.
Raymond has at his commando"
'There are four" replied Radcliffe,
besides the gardner, who does not ap-
pear to be in his confidence to any
great extent But the others are
bad lot and would probably not hest
tate to carry out any commission of
"The odds are then heavily against
u.s." commented the chief, should
occasion arise for strong-handed meas
ures. But we will endeavor to avoid
violence, M. Radcliffe. which as law.
abiding citizen | am bound to detest."
During the next two days gossip
was rife in the village regarding the
coming of the physician, M. Lupin,
and his unsuccessful endeavors to
combat the disease which finally re-
suited in the patients leath. Also,
said busy Dame Rumor, the body of
M. Maynard would not be taken to
England for burial, but inferred in the
| little cemetery at Deseil. The ar
rival from Paris of coffin confirmed
this report and aroused the chief to
the dispatching of a second message
to his official colleague, ordering him
to come to the village with further
delay
In the morning when M. Claude
arose, Radcliffe had already departed
on his usual tour of inspection. BY
noon he had not returned, and the
chief, smoking idly in the doorway of
the inn, was surprised at the sight
of mine host and his minions busily
engaged in transferring trunk and
sundry boxes, that M. Claude recog-
niZed as the effects of his late COM
panion, from the latter's room to
carriage standing in the road.
What means this, M. Quentin"
inquired the chief "Have you lost
customer? l supposed that M. Rat
cliffe contemplated making an extend
ed stay under your hospitable roof"
The landlord sighed mournfully.
'rIt was even so. M, Debrosses," he
exclaimed. "But see from the chateau
M. Raymond sends a message de-
mahding the property of the noble
captain whom he has persuaded to
remain as his guest"
For an instant the chiefs good ma
ture rebelled against what seemed to
be an ungracious requital on the part
of the American for his preferred
services. Could it be that Radcliffe
had arranged terms with the Ray
monds without deeming it worth his
while to acquaint him with the cir
cumstances? On second thought such
a possibility seemed absurd. 1t was
far more likely that the impetuous
lover had fallen into snare skillfully
arranged by his crafty enemies.
The rumbling of wheels attracted
his attention and a post-chaise came
into view from the interior of which as
it drew up at the inn door, there
emerged the person of M. Blauvert.
'fIt was my intention to move eau
tiously in this affair."" remarked the
chief, when he had enlightened his
colleague as to the nature of the
mystery that confronted them, but
the sudden disappearance of NJ. Rat
cliffe precipitates matters.
cit is now three o'clock" said the
chief, "and much may happen in the
interval, but we must take the chance.
For the present there is nothing to
do save wait"
M. Claude listened.
81 am going to spy on the chateau,
M. Blauvert," he said, abruptly. II
may gain information that will be of
service to us. Remain here until
your men arrive, when you will fol-
low me, in case I have not returned.
Impress the landlord as guide, If
necessary"
NJ Blauvert saluted, but made no
comment The chiefs evident excite
ment was unusual in man famous for
his iron nerve, but the inspector knew
better than to demonstrate with him.
M. Claude, having first looked care
fully to the loading of brace of
heavy pistols, thrust them in his
pockets and left the inu. Twenty min
utes of smart walking brought kim
to the chateau grounds. Avoiding
the main entrance, he followed the
line of the low wall for some dis
lance, and choosing a likely spot for
the attempt clambered over it with
little difficulty. AS he approached the
house he saw that it was dark in the
front, save for one room on the
ground floor where rays of light pene-
trated through crevices unshielded by
the closely drawn window blinds.
Remembering Ratcliffe's assertion
regarding the place where Alice Thur
Der was confined, he turned to the
west wing. Here he was rewarded
by the sight of half-open window.
about Is feet from the ground, where
a light was visible. The building