Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-17

at the boat. he was informing Esper. who
listened with head on one side: what
would the little fellow do? Would he
give the signal? Well, none would be
needed.
The fingers of my right hand slipped
down and closed around a stool leg. l
straightened my body trife and several
coils slipped away until the ends showed.
But none Of the three men for the mo-
ment perceived what had occurred. for
Senior Del Hervalle still talked busily
with the pair. He had now arrived in the
center Of the room. just behind Descarte.
who continued smoking on his stool since
his return: Esper, however. turned his
head on one side SO that he could hold
me in range Of vision. Up and down his
glance flashed. noting the betraying frag-
ments of rope.
that 1t is necessary to follow him into the
sea-" he said, gayly.
"Oh, mon bon enfant.' smiled Del Her
vale.
Esper shot another glance at me, ran
his tongue over his lips. The time for
action had at last come. l grfpped the
chair leg tighter and leaned forward
1.-The service OF a Valet ne stated.
then dramatically clutching the envoy s
arm, exclaimed, Look, senior. look! The
prisoner! Thou dog. Descarte. to cut him
loose-traitor. sinking pig
What more he cried never heard. Up
I sprang and swinging the stool in a
great circle flung 1t at DESCRIBES head
Then jumped for the door. The man at
whom I had aimed the heavy missile
ducked his head and body. falling over
on one knee against the seat wherein
stood the two candles. knocking them In
a sputter upon the floor, while the stool
passed on, striking Del Hervalle full in
the breast and hurting him PROSTATE.
That much I saw before the light sud
denly diminished to the little halo OF
radiance which lay round the names
burning on the boards. Out / went. fol-
lowed by cry from Del HerVane Ior the
men to pursue me.
I took the first stair by great leaps. A
lighted lantern hung from hook on the
landing beneath, spreading from its dingy
panes q few feeble rays. AS L came
under 1t I cast a swift glance up the steps
behind me; Descarte was already out OF
the room. jumping downward like mad
bull and carrying a knife In his hand.
Esper was close at his heels. Two steps
and l was at the top OF the lower stair.
down which I plunged. In the room be-
low was darkness. My recollection OF
the spot where opened the door and where
hung it's latch was vague; l had to halt
and tumble for the latter. Almost Des-
carte reached me as finally pulled u
open and burst out Of the dreadful house.
The fog was not so thick but what the
moon. now risen a little way above the
wood and cliff OF rock. diffused the night
with a pale and luminous glow. 1t was
as II the street were filled with mys-
terious golden haze. The walls OF the
opposite houses doomed dark: objects
could be seen only as vague shapes. and
into this strange vapor-filled canyon OF
the street, down which the moon shone.
L and my two pursuers fled. That tnere
was fog 1 had forgotten; 1t enveloped me
with a sudden surprise. Emotions. how
ever, were out of place now. it was a
time for legs. Behind me, not ten feet
away. I heard the footballs Of Descarte
and Esper. From Esper had nothing to
fear, but from the scoundrel who ran at
his side had everything to dread. for