The Washington herald., 1910-07-25

tumble-down old house Toni found him
self presently in garnet room. dimly
lighted by a malodorous OIL lamp. II
was evidently a place Of entertainment
for low class OF persons. There were
sounds OF voices below them and next
them, but this room was unoccupied
There was a table IN the middle of the
floor and wine and glasses on II. Toni
sat down, much against his will. and
Pierre. pouring out some Of the wine
which was vile, began 10 expatiate on
the delights Of liberty.
This is a million times better" he
said, than being locked up in prison
with the devil Of a sentry keeping hts
eye on one perpetually. and three days on
bread and water for sneezing."
Toni longed to say that that was what
both OF them richly deserved. but dared
not. Then Nicolas began:
I'VE should not have been imprisoned
at all but for that scoundrel, Lieut. YER
ney. He has a spite against US. and
takes It out as only an officer can on a
private soldier"
It's a lie" cried Toni This aspersion
on their honor was not in the least re-
scented by either Pierre or Nicolas. who
knew. as only they and God did, what
liars they were.
We'll, Toni" Nicolas continued, Il
understand that you are 10 marry the
! sergeant's daughter. Ny faith, you look
prosperous. Count Delorme's money must
have done you lot Of good"
Il never had any of Count Delcrme's
money!" burst out Toni.
Who is lying now9' murmured Nicolas
softly. what about the twenty-frane
piece?"
That was certainly Il very neat Job Of
yours, Toni" said Pierre. Il have never
seen a man done for quicker than you did
for Count Delorme One blow like this
He drew or and went through a panto-
mime Of giving Nicolas a blow on the
side OF the head. Nicolas likewise pre-
tending tumbled over In his chair as
Count Delorme had fallen over in the
dark at the Chateau Bernard II made
Toni sick to see them. They laughed.
after they had gone through with this
mimic tragedy. and began 10 drink their
ney. and Toni said nothing. He scorned
10 defend his friend from two such
scoundrels as those before him and he
longed to get away, but that strange and
inscrutable fear OF them nailed him 10
his chair. Presently Nicolas said 10 him:
Toni We might as well tell you the
truth. Lieut. Verney Is 20 die
To de- Paul. so full OF life. so happy.
| only yesterday married! He saw Paurs
smiling face as he waived hts hand back
10 Toni when he drove OF In the omen
carriage with Lucie, through the golden
dusk on the June evening. But he DID
not quite take IN what Nicolas meant.
Yes" said Pierre, have you never
heard, my man. Of officers who abused
and iil-treated their men. who we're found
dead Ike Count Delorme?-I won't saw
murdered-that's an ugly word 10 say.
But il isn't altogether SAFE for an officer
20 prosecute a man. particularly a coupIe
or men-its just as well to make an ex-
! ample Of an officer like that once IN a
While"
50 you mean 20 waylay Lieut.. Verney
as you did Count Delorme?" he asked
No, indeed. my dear fellow" briskl,,
responded Nicolas. ut will be quite a d,f-
ferent affair from that little one Of YOURS
we mean TO kill him. however. b,f vye
VIII try our chances among the three m
us. We don't care to take the whole
risk ourselves, and think. CONSIDERING
how quiet We have kept about that littls
a1air OF yours In the park OF the Cha
teau Bernard that you ought 70 taln nc
out So we will play a game of cards
ana the loser is finish up Lieut.. Vernev
or be finished up himself. That is quite
fair Don't you agree 20 that. Pierre?"
Pierre nodded and grinned. Toni 60,
boxing az them stupidity by tho l,vb+ ~
fhe oil lamp. He took In instantly what
they meant-they intended thar he
should kill Paul Verney or else be KILLED
himself Nicolas took out OF his pocket
greasy pack OF cards and said:
What shall Il be-ecarte?r
"As you please" responded Pierre
Toni would have given his soul al
most to have rushed out Of the room. but
ne was Toni still as boy and man He
had been cowed and enslaved bv certain
strange fears which many persons eyer
cised over him, and these scoundrels IN
particular. He thought of himself as
murdered by these wretches. who. he
knew, would do II with as little com
Function as they would wiring the neck
OF chicken. He thought OF Denise. OF
Paul Verney, and he was overwhelmed
with sorrow for them and pity for him
self, for he understood that he must die
The cards were dealt and Toni took m
his. He was in a horrible dream but he
retained enough OF his faculties to know
how the game was going. Nicolas and
Pierre were quite cheerful and thew
squabbled merrily over the game and
took all the tricks. When they had finish
cd. Nicolas slapped Toni on the back and
said jovially:
Well my man. you have got the
job"
Toni made no reply. He was too
frightened to speak. and then Nicolas
suddenly growing perfectly serious, said:
you know we begin our practice
marches in about a fortnight. Now on
our hrst practice march you are to be
Ill and drop out Of the ranks-see?-when
the lieutenant is riding by, the side Of
the troop where he can see you, and you
must select a place where there Is a
thicket in which a mans body can be
hid from the observation Of the people
passing by. Now. when the lieutenant
comes back to see what is the matter
with you, it will be quite easy-he VIII
be completely of his guardian then
you had better do II with a knife-a
knife makes no noise you know, and IL
you don't know how 10 use a knife on
Lieut.. Verney-well, we'll use 1t on you
that's all-and on Lieut.. Verney later"
TOMS arms dropped by his side and he