Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-04-23
SYou we're listening?"

You were listeningT
"Yea Be careful Ny death would
not change anything. ! wish to disil.
lusion you. wish 10 prove to yod
how deeply you are the dupe Of those
men. All your plans have been re-
markable. but not one Of them has re.
mained unknown to me- Xou clasp
the hand Of this duke who plays the
sailor under the name Of Picard. who
halls you as a future emperor and
stabs you behind your backi Howl
Double face that he Is, have ! not
proof that he has written detail after
detail of this conspiracy to the DUAL
dOrsay and that he has clung to you
only to. gain bis share Of what is
yours2 Come back with me and let
your own ears testify. The fact that
am not in the mountains should con
vince you how strong am"
Breitmann hesitated, wondering
whether he had best shoot this med
dler then and there and cut for It or
follow him.
II will 60 with you. But give you
this warning: II what hear Is not
what you expect me to hear ! promise
to put a bullet into your meddling
head"
II agree to that" replied the other.
he did not underestimate bis danger
Neither did be undervalue bis inh
mate knowledge Of human nature.
With what emotions Breitmann re-
turned to the scene Of bis triumph his
self appointed companion could only
surmise. he had determined to save
this young fool in spite Of his mad
ness, and never had be failed to bring
his enterprises to their forearranged
end And there was sentiment be-
tween all this. sentiment he would not
have been ashamed to avow. Upon
chance. then. fickle inconstant chance.
depended the success of the seven
years labor. II by this time the wine
had not loosened their tongues or II
they had disappeared!
But fortune favors the persistent no
less than the brave. The pro6igates
were still at the table. and there were
fresh bottles Of wine. They were
laughing and talking. In all not more
than fifteen minutes had elapsed since
Breitmann's departure II. Ferraud
stationed him by the window and kept
q hand lightly upon his arm. as one
might place finger on pulse.
OF what were they talking-ostend.
the ballet dancers. the races In May.
the shooting at Monte Carlo. gaming
tables. empty purses and again ballet
dancers7
ITO divide two millionsr' cried one
"That will clear my debts. with a lit
tie for Dieppe."
1.-TWO hundred and fifty thousand
francs! PrincelyP
And then the voice Of the master
spirit, pitiless and ironical-Picard's.
WAS there ever such a dupe7 And
not to laugh In bis face Is penance
for my sins A Dutchman, bullet
headed clod from Bavaria. the land Of
sausage. beer and daschunds. and this
shall be written Napoleon Nv. Ys
gods, what farce. comedy, vaudeville"
Breitmann shuddered NJ. Ferraud,
feeling that shudder under his hand.
relaxed bis shoulders. He bad won
The scene went on. The butt OF 1t
heard Jest and ridicule. They were
pillorying him with the light and
matchless cruelty Of wits. And he,
Door fool, had believed them to be bis
dupes, whereas he was theirs. Gently
he disengaged himself from NJ. Fer.
raud's grasp.
"Wbat are you going to do7" whis
bered the hunter Of butterflies
watch and see"
Breitmann walked noiselessly round
to the entrance. and NJ. Ferraud lost
sight of him for few moments. II
card was on his feet, mimicking his
dupe by assuming a Napoleonic pose.
The door opened. and Breitmann stood
quietly on the threshold. A hush fell
on the revelers. There was something
kingly in the contempt with which
Breitmann swept the startled faces
He stepped up to the table. took up a
full glass of wine and threw 1t into
Picard's face.
"Only one of US shall leave Corsica
said the dupe.
certainly It will not be your majes-
ty." replied Picard, wiping his face
with a serviette. His majesty Will
waive his rights to meet me. Tomor'
row morning | shall have the pleasure
of writing 6nis to this Napoleonic
phase. You fool. you shall die fof
that!
THAT" returned Breitmann. still un'
rufIled as he went to the door. remains
TO be seen. Gentlemen, | regret to say
that your monetary difficulties must
continue unchanged"
"Ob, for fifty years agor murmureo
the little scene shifter from the DARK
of his shelter.