Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-04
you jest"
"a baron could not, of course, do such
things"
For one minute she ceased knitting
"Oh. a. baronr

''you jest"
"a baron could not, OF course, do such
things
For one minute she ceased knitting.
"Oh, g. baron!'
"Your roof is honored to that extent"
An hour passed while I exchanged light
talk or INDUCED in reflection which yielded
no particular result 1 rose. yawning
and stood in the door. Should / return
home? In the idle fashion which one
employs when in state of indecision or
Incidence, l glanced at the sky, at the
cliff which walled the upper end of the
village, at the doors opposite, at the
lower end Of the street: none of these af-
forded inspiration. Then / paused. Was
not that Del Hervalle's plump little fig
ure which had just rounded the corner of
Gaspard's boatshop and which now was
coming briskly forward? Under any cir
cumStances the movements of the French
man would have interested me; at this
time, when I was expecting some line OF
action pointing toward recovery of the
eager. So I drew back into the inn,
where, remaining in the shadow of the
door, / awaited his approach, in order to
determine on what special mission he
was now engaged. Nothing which he
did was idle: everything was directed to
an end. Presently his footsteps sounded
on the rocky pavement of the street: he
swung by the inn without pause. l put
an eye about the Intel and saw his plump
figure halt before the next door, where,
casting a sharp look about, he entered.
Il think it's that noisy fellow Pilon
who lives beside you, isn't it?'' l inquired
of madame She nodded and continued
her knitting.
What had the Frenchman in common
with his rough compatriot? Where had
they made acquaintance and what was
the occasion of this visit? l stepped into
the street and advanced until 1 stood be-
fore the house into which the man had
entered.
The door stood ajar. I drew near and
listened; no sound came from within
Retreating few PAGES. 1 surveyed the
face of the structure to observe If l were
watched, but no eye was at the window
There was little to distinguish the house
from its neighbor on either side, or, in
deed. from any of the dwellings along
the street; the inn f1anked it on the left,
the house which contained Martin Del
lars merchandise store on the right, and
it's chief distinguishing feature was the
dilaRidated roof, sagsing slightly inward
from age and want OF repair. 1t had
stood empty for some time. ever since
Mosette, it's owner. had died, and until
the three vagabond French sailors took
possession. A window stood in the wall
beside the door; in the story above. a
pair Of them. and, finally, at the top two
dormer windows projected from the roof.
In other respects the wall was blank, eX-
cept for a pattern Of panels built in wood
over the higher half.
Adventure was on me. I looked up the
street and down. then. finally, at the WIN
dowS again; nothing was to be seen, the
house was still. With a light step
reached the door and entered. The square
room was empty. Casting a rapid glance
about, at the cold fireplace, at the fur
niture which comprised only a table and
stools. and at the litter of crusts, burnt
matches and empty wine TASKS strewn
over the floor (Pion and his companions
lived not tidily). and at the stone stair
case rising along the wall, 1 stole to the
door of the inner room, which I found
empty.
1 returned to the stair. Apparently
the three sailors dwelt on the floor
taken himself straight as one who was
q familiar acquaintance. Listen as I |
would. could distinguish no sounds
which indicated the presence Of human
occupants. To seek higher would be the
height of imprudence, but I itched to go
upward; the steps were stone. there
would be no creak to betray me. Noise
this folly just at the instant when / had
cast fear to the winds and placed foot on
the first step. Now l could hear voices
Del Hervalie speaking in rapid, incisive |
tones, Pilon's heavy notes answering; |
and they We're approaching to descend. |
Risking myself no further, / moved 81 |
lently to the door, stepped into the street |
and regained the shelter of the inn room. |
My little expedition had produced Moth |
ing except to ascertain that Mr.. Moore's |
chief guest was on terms Of intimacy
with Lavouches first ruffian, certainly a /
of which no good could come |
Apparently Pilon did not leave his house, |
for when Del Hervalle's figure darkened |
the tavern door in entering he was alone