Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-24
CHAPTER XIX.
Layouche INVESTIGATES.

Sf1lrt common TO the coast, SuTSoIis 'hO
mayor, wore an uncomfortable white
bosomed one and a low collar Rapping
upon the table. he commanded silence
and made statement. Since the map
was the beginning of the trouble wnicn
had befallen their peaceful island and In
terrupted the orderly pursuit of their nsn-
ing industry. and since it was alleged
that Descarte had been slain in an effort
to prevent me from selling the same to
the German stranger who had disappear
ed, it was necessary to examine into the
affair of the map In order to get
proper understanding Of the cause OF Des-
carte's death. On the suggestion. there
fore, of NJ. the Hon. Alexander Moore.
who had consented to assist him and VINO
now sat by his elbow as all could see.
he would proceed with an investigator
upon this subject Would Charles WOOD
worth ascend the platform? l ola so,
seating myself upon the chair PROVIDED
for witnesses, while the assemblage gazed
at me, silent, eager, expectant.
You have or had in your possession a
map of fertilization. NJ. Woodworth?
the mayor interrupted.
1T is true said l.
..Inscribe that, clerk" Old Gaspard' 8
quill began to scratch on the sfl, NJ of
paper. Where did you secure this map,
monsieur?
! considered If detailed investigation
were to be made concerning this docu-
ment. many questions would have to be
asked, and probably good part or the
afternoon would be consumed before ar
irving at the matter Of Describes death.
Monsieur the mayor. IL you Will per
NIT I will tell the whole story OF the
map" said ]. Then II any points are
not clear you can inquire as to them II
will save time and facilitate the inferno
CATION. I offer this as a suggestion
Surcon listened politely. revolved the
proposal in his mind, finally held Whls-
pered consultation with Mr.. Moore. Arms
folded l waited patiently, for l knew La
vouche, and was well aware that its peo-
pie We're not to be hurried when engaged
in consideration Of a grave matter The
more grave they would have said) the
more reason for long consideration Out
of the tail of my eye I observed Senior
Del Hervalle. What I might say would
concern him nightly; yet he was COM
placent, apparently a mere spectator. a
casual visitor at an interesting event. Be
yond him were the rows Of villagers; the
gray heads and their withered wives
nearest, behind them the strong, middle
aged felix, in the rear the younger mar
ried couples then youths, maidens, chill
dren, and, finally. filling the door, those
men who were content to stand. A rustic
Of satisfaction breezed the little audience
when Surcon announced that my sugges-
ton would be adopted: it had merit, only
1 was asked to speak not too rapidly.
that the clerk might note important
points.
Thus l began:
'-Two years ago this summer I was
spending some time with friends in a
western state. Those friends were own
ers, one the manager OF mine. AS II
happened. there were in the employ OF
this mine an assistant engineer ana a
mechanic the former q Scotchman and
ho Lot
D'Urville. These two men were great
scoundrels. never were there greater
what the Scotchman did not think OF the
Frenchman did. They stole considerable
doing many other evil things which 1t is
not necessary for me to relate. Sumce
1t that their acts were villainous. In the
end the Scotchman was shot In a night
with the manager, but the Frenchman
escaped with some of the gold. Among
the effects Of the scotchman there Were
sword. this map in question and nu-
merous other articles. The Scot had been
renegade English army officer, a
scamp who had lived all over the world
though not such a coward and he was a
gentleman" A subdued chuckle greeted
this sally; Pilons neighbors nudged his
ribs. for the fishermen loved Jest AS
for the fellow himself. he stroked his mus
tache fiercely. THE assistant engineer
fortress and drawn the map to sell to
another country. The notes were in Ger
man, therefore it must be German
map. When we came to depart from the
mine. my friend. the manager, took the
sword and gave me the map as me-
mento. Once arrived in New York
locked it away and forgot it utterly
Then your friends saw the map? Mon
sieur, kindly give Gaspard their names
that he may enter the n in the account. u
thay. xx-tt n
Proceed. NJ. Woodwork"
1.-THE past two years | spent in Texas
A short time ago I returned to New York
by steamer and had the map recalled to
mind by a newspaper item which my
friend, Lieut.. William Harrington. read
1 mentioned that l possessed a map OF a
fort: he was coming to visit me here. and
as he's an army officer, he begged me TIC
bring it with me. SO that he could ex-
anime it. Is it likely. good people OF La
vouche"-I sat forward and spread by
hand in a questioning gesture-'s it like
ly that was trying to betray my country
when the army Of the United States knew
of the existence of the map, the army
in the person of Lieut.. Harrington?''
My audience was impressed. They
looked at one another with lifted brows
The old men blinked, considered. weighed
the statement Meanwhile Gaspard'
/ pen scratched buSily.
But the German-that does not appear
1T is simple, monsieur the mayor. AS
I rode hither on the train ] sat with the
map outspread upon my knees. This
stranger, passing in the aisle, observed
1t. He stopped: he, being also an army
man, saw that it was a map of fortress
and that there was writing in his own
language. He demanded to see ii, which
I refused. That night he attempted to
steal 1t from me on the train, but was
| unsuccessful, and he followed me- just
north of the rock of La Dent he made
| an attack upon my person and knocked
him down with a stiff punch OF the fist
Then he remained in the village, waiting
a further chance to obtain 1t.
But you were friendly. Even he has
eaten at your table,
Yes, we were friendly as two dogs
who watch to have the same bone, moi
| barking, but with teeth ready to bite. II
amused me to invite him to dinner. know
| ing all the while that he wanted to rob
me- 1t was the same as when Antoine
and Pierre. burning to maui ore another
| for love of the same maiden. yet gree,
| each other with exceeding politeness.
A shout of laughter greeted my eX
| PLANTATION. Heads turned upward to the
two striplings. who sat with downcast
eyes, blushing. for the rivalry OF the pail
was great joke in Lavouche.
There was third party to this affair
of the map I went on. BY accident
Senior Del HervIlle discovered that I was
| in possession of the paper. The senior Is
a diplomat, also a patriot of his coun.
try. who desires to protect his govern
| ment." I spoke with irony. HE did me
the honor to call one day at Stag Lodge
during my absence in order to persuade
| my servant, Andrew. to give him the
paper. What Venezuela would do with
| map of a German fortress l do not
know. The ways OF great countries and