The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-04-06

seventeenth century cast.
 The woodcarver went on to express delight at being back in Paris, where his work would keep him three or four days. Business was brisk, thank heaven, with an extra ordinary demand for old sideboards. with carved panels of the Louis XIV. period, which they turned out by the dozen-ha. ha, ha-in the Brussels shop. Across the table Matthieu showed his appreciation of this trick in art catering, and he made bold to ask M. Groener if there would be any chance for man like himself in. woodcarving shop. His present job at Notre Dame was for only a few days.
 ''I'n help you with pleasure,'' he said 'But today I enjoy myself. This aft ernoon escort my pretty cousin Alice to hear some music.''
 Since the meal began Alice had scarcely spoken, but had sat looking down at her plate save at certain mo- ments when she would lift her eyes suddenly and fix them on Groener with a strange, half frightened ex- presston.
 ''Yon are very kind, Cousin Adolf" she answered timidly, "but-I'm not feeling well today
 The girl hesitated, and Mother Bon neton put in harshly: 'I'H tell you. She's fretting about that American who was sent to prison. A good rid ance it was.''
 ssStopr' cried Alice.
 ''No, no! I'll tell it all When a girl slips away from her work at the church and goes to see 8 man like Paul Coquenil'-
 e.Have you never heard of Paul Co., Quenil?' ?'' smiled Matthieu, kicking Papa Bonneton warningly under the table.
 Groener answered with perfect sim plicity: ''No wonder you smile, M. Matthieu. But think how far away from Paris I live! Besides, I want this to be a happy day. Come, little cousin; you shall tell me all about 1t when we are out together. Run along now and put on your nice dress and hat"
 Alice rose from the table, deathly white. It seemed to Coquent1 that her eyes met his in desperate appeal, and then, with a glance at Groener, half of submission, half of defiance, she left the room.
 Matthieu bowed politely and, follow ed by the gacrfstan, went out.
 'tNow, Bon1feton,'' ordered the detec- tive sharply when they were in the lower hallway, "I want you to go right across to Notre Dame, and when you get to the door take your hat off and stand there for minute or so flaming yourself Then Tigno1, who's watch ing in one of these doorways, will come across and join you. Tell him to be- ready to move any minute now. He'd better loaf around the corner of the church until he gets a signal from me. I'll wait here. Now, go on." .
 'I'm going, M. Paul; I'm going," obeyed Bonneton. And he hurried away.
 Coqueni1 saw Alice nurrying toward him, tense with some eager purpose.
 "Oh, M. Matthieut'' exclaimed the girl in apparent surprise. 'sI know who you are. You are M. Coquenil," now whispering
 t'Does he know?''
 The girls hands closed convulsively. She sta ammered these singular words: ''He k1sos0s eCeryt7t5ng."
 'IS he planning something?''
 For a moment Alice hesitated, biting her red lips. Then, with a quick inn pulse, she lifted her dark eyes to Go quenil. 'I must tell you. I have no one else to tell, and I am so distressed, so-so afraid" She. caught his hands pleadfngly in hers, and he felt that they were icy cold.
 Hes planning to take me away-j away from Paris. I overheard him just now telling Mother Bonneton to pack my trunk. If he takes me away IT may never come back"
 'See here-you trust me?" asked the 1 detective
 'Oh, yes.'
 'sYou'n do exactly what I tell your'
 ''I wiIl.'' she declared.
 ''Now, listen." And, speaking slow ly and distinctly, the detective gave l Alice precise instructions; then he | went over them again, point by point. |
 Are you sure you understand?' ?'' he | asked finally.
 sfYes, l understand, and I will do l what you tell me, but She shook l her head anxiously. t'You don't know, | you can't understand, what a''-she ! stopped as if searching for word | what wicked man he is."
 'tI understands little," answered | gravely.
 It was about ? o'clock, and under a dazzling sun the trees and buildings of the square were outlined on the as- pha1t in sharp black shadows. >Co- quenil took out his watch and proceed ed to wind it slowly, at which a beg gar dragged himself 1azily out of his cool corner and lmped across the street.