Evening star., 1912-06-26
CHAPTER XX.-Continued.

'Pilon entered the inn a little before
nine to purchase a flask OF brandy.
she announced.
Eight or nine, l know not.' he ex-
claimed angriy. Il do not sit knitting
with my eye on a clock. How should
know"
Continue the mayor ordered
"Peste. IL I am allowed, We waited
Esper and said. Art thou certain they
will come, little one?' and Esper said
that Monsieur woodworth had stated the
hour named-only that much he knew
whereupon l went back to my station
1T will be a long wait. possibly, Thought
1. and Pilon may grow chilly. He had
better go to the inn and purchase some
brandy 1t is no doubt to that visit
madame referred. He smiled. pleased
with himself at this cunning explana-
ton when / returned. l halted at the
end of the street, outside this boathouse.
to warm me with a drink of the brandy
I raised the flask to my lips. Just then
I heard a whistle. The bottle dropped
from my fingers. stood barking
One minute, Pilon. Mr.. Moore aa-
dressed him. then turned to Gaspard.
Did you find a broken bottle before your
door this morning."
Pilon burst into laughter.
THAT would not be broken bottle.
For / caught IL before 1t struck the
stones of the street.
while you were listening?
Just before, monsieur. l am very
quick. Still holding 1t in my hand. l
sprang forward to the boats. At first
could see nothing. l shouted and
certain and the night was full of the
yellow fog, so / ran to and fro furious
to be in the melee. All at once l heard
a noise on my left, further down where
had placed Descarte. I. Pflon, leaped
toward the spot. Alas, rope lay on
the sand. it trpped me. Again I hur-
ried forward-to behold what! That poor
Descarte struggling: then monsieur stab
bed him in the back SO that with dread
full cry my comrade fell on the sand
murdered. Meanwhile the German held
pistol to Esper's head. Then the two
of them pursued US; we had but knives,
while they were armed with a revolver
and club. They followed us even to the
door Of my house, which l succeeded
barely in shutting as their feet fell on
the SILL"
"And the brandy?"
''Ha, that was strange! never once
let go of it. never knowing II was in my
hand until l found it there when we were
safe in the house.
Remember, Piion, it is not yet paid
for" the inn woman warned him.
Nom de nom de nom, are you there
still" he shouted.
DO you know where Charles Wood
worth was during the day of yesterday"
Mr.. Moore questioned.
mot of my own knowledge, monsieur.
At his house, I suppose. Esper can tell
YOU"
You did not see him until night?"
mo"
"Why did you not alarm the village
after this fight?'
These men were at the door, mon
sieur, and armed
His answers were given promptly; 1T
was apparent he had rehearsed them.
Only in the matter of the brandy and
the days surveillance of the German and
me had he been taken Off guard: the
first point he had later mended, the latter
he ignored. And it was apparent that he
had now found favor with the fisher folk
in the account which he gave. for the
comments, though not intended for my
ears. but nevertheless reaching them,
1T is infamous, infamous" Betty
whispered to me. Can men stand up
and declare such falsehoods!'
"Pilon finds no trouble doing it,
said l.
All the assurance in the world was his
He had now got through his invented
tale, the worst was over and he perceived
that Lavouche was with him. Cross
ing his legs. he stared at me with uncon-
cerned insolence; the flush brought to his
face by the inspiration of his narrative
still remained, darkening his swarthy
skin and making his countenance more
sinister. Del Hervalle had found him a
willing, aye, an eager tool who would
do much for money and more for hate.
What he had begun, Esper no doubt
would finish. In the minds of the fisher
men / would stand convicted as a seller
of maps and as murderer.
DO you charge Charles Woodwork
with murder of this man, Descarte?"
Mr.. Moore asked slowly.
Il do, monsieur
THAT is sufficient, take your seat
Monsieur the mayor. let us hear what
refutation Woodwork has to make"
Again I mounted the platform. The
charge had now been made. and as
could find no friendliness there, no
sympathy, no belief in my integrity. only
curiosity and distrust and grave somber-
ness. II my story of the map had seemed
far-fetched. what would be the opinion of
the narration which / was about to re-
late? Pilon's account had all the ad-
vantages Of simplicity. brevity, plausi-
bility. while mine involved so many ro-
mantle occurrences, so extraordinary a
procession of events, that I felt that it
would convict me out OF hand either as
a liar or. as Del Hervalle intimated. a
madman. Betty's wistful look was un-
nerving too. Well, l could only tell as
straightforward a story as possible then
let happen what would. Only at Stevens
face l paused. He sat, as he had all the
while, straight, expressionless. but with
the corners Of his mouth drawn down in
a hint Of sardonic humor.
Then his eyes met mine and-was 1t
in truth so?-one of the lids winked the
barest wink in the world. A ray of
something-hope. confidence, cheer-fash-
ed into my heart. What it meant.
knew not; but that 1t indicated some
thing he had-knowledge. information.
support felt to my very bones.
My father came to this island years
ago." l said in a clear voice. addressing
the people Il, on my part, played on
these sands as a lad and sailed in the
boats with you as a youth. In all that
time did any one Of you know me to
do a dishonest or dishonorable thing?
Yet, knowing this, you have believed
the first tale this quarreler this brawl-
er. this drunken braggart Pilon told you.
a stranger himself in Lavouche and no
doubt with past he dare not allow light
to shine upon. Why let me ask, should
1 sell this map? For money? / have
more money now than I know what to
do with; as is well known to you my
father possessed wealth which 1 have
inherited. The charge that | wished to
sell this map to foreigner is false and
I now give 1t to Mr.. Moore to return to
our government. OF all the village of
Lavouche. only two that / am aware Of
have believed in me, stood by me and
been my friends. Others Of you with
whom have broken bread have first sus-
pected and then believed evil Of me with
out ever giving me the benefit OF a doubt.
1 shall remember who of you all have
been my true friends-Jean and Gaspard
alone
A sudden scuffie OF feet broke the