The Washington herald., 1912-12-08

If he were a rogue, and among dogs
vou find rogues who, ottwardly' re-
spectacle, will, while mounting guard
over their masters property, on that
pretext kill a man for the pure pleas
ure of killing a man; then everything
would be wrong.
He knew quite we'll, too, that he
must descend the stairs with sword TN
drawn, walking easily and without
stealth. He. knew that dog takes
note of everything. is keen physiog-
nomist, and has an eye for deception
such as few men possess.
He knew that If Mabon were on a
chain his psychology would be quite
altered, and that at the first faint sound
OF footstep would rouse the house.
In that event detection would be GER
tain. He could, of course, explain his
position in several ways; say, for in
stance, that not being able TO sleep,
he wished to get a book from the
library; still, the chances were that sus-
picion might be reused.
The single stroke OF a clock at a
distance came from the night outside.
1t was Versailles ringing the half
hour He had intended to wait till
one, but the anxiety was insupportable.
He determined to act at once.
He took lighted candle in his hand
and left the room.
The corridor on which his door
opened was lined with suits of armor
and trophies of the chase; tusk OF
boar and eye of wolf CLEANED as
though the genius of ferocity in the
masks had been drawn into points of
concentration by the wan light OF the
candle.
The suits of armor became armed
men
The great staircase looked twice as
broad as when seen by daylight, and
the hall shot up at him dimly in great
masses OF shadow. luminous rays from
the stands of arms, and faint shim-
mer from the parquet of the flooring.
Not sound or sign OF anything liv-
ing-or sight. till halfway across the
parquet of the hall the light disclosed
the doorway of the library. and before
the doorway a mound OF darkness.
A rolled-up carpet seemed to have
been cast there; it was the dog.
The great wolf-hound was lying mo-
tionless, with paws outSpread and chin
resting upon them. His eyes were
wide open and he was watching the
man.
He had seen the dim glmmer of
light. and on the stirring OF air that
came by way of the open window OF
the cCmtc's room had scented the man
who was approaching, recognized that
II was the same man whose traces he
had already perceived mixing with the
traces OF his master. Monsieur Beau
and tnaI ny belonged 10 the mouse
and, though a newcomer. was to be
respected.
Then he lay watching
AS De I.ussac approached. the great
dog heaved himself up. stretched ever
50 slightly. thus showing that he was
perfectly at ease in his mind. and
moved aside from the door. seeing
that the man was making for it and
evidently wished to open il.
His tail hung motionless: he showed
neither pleasure nor the reverse. moth
ing but absolute neutrality, and polite
ness, il one may use the term.
De Lussac knew better than 20 at
tempt any Carcss or Establishment. He
was in the presence OF noble and
kingly spirit wl1Irh. while receiving him
with severe courtesy as a guest OF the
house. was not yet on terms of inti-
macy with him.
Changing the candleStick from his
right to his left hand. he opened the
door OF the library and entered the
room. The dog followed close at his
heels
He placed the caudIC,,ick upon the
little table. turned /" the bureau, and
paused
The dog had passed him and taken
up his position before the bureau. ly-
ing just as he had lain before the
door.
A chill siezed De Lussac. Mahon
had admitted him to the library. for
the library was room. strictly guard
>ed it is true. yet at the pleasure of visi-
tors. But the bureau of De Richelieu
was not common property; no one
might have to do with il except the
master of the house NIahon had no
doubt been trained in this belief. To
put the question to the test he ap-
preached it.
A sonorouS rumble like the sound
of thunder in the distance filled the
room.