Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-04-23
"prErRo. PUT YOUR HANDS m rHERI'

"prETRo. PUT YOUR BANDS IN rHERI'
shallow pit. He rolled beside 1t, done
for. In a fainting state. Breitmann
laughed wildly.
"Come. come; we have no time. Put
It into your pockets"
But | have not counted itF' naively.
Tomorrow when we make camp for
breakfast. Let US hurry"
Quickly Pietro stuffed his pockets.
jabbering In his patois, swearing so
many candles to the Virgin for his
nights work. Then began the loading
of the sacks. and these were finally
dumped into the donkey panniers.
Now. Pietro. the shortest cut to
Ajaccio. First your hand on your
amulet and oath never to reveal what
has happened"
Pietro swore solemnly. II am ready
now, master"
Lead on. then" replied Breitmann.
Impulsively be raised bis hands high
above his head. mine. all miner
He wiped bis face and hands, pulled
his cap down firmly. lighted ciga'
rette. struck the rear donkey. and the
hazardous journey began.
Seven men more or less young. with
q genial air of dissipation about their
eyes and q varied degree Of reckless
ness lurking at the corners of their
mouths-seven men sat round table
In house In the Rue St Charles. They
had been eating and drinking rather
luxuriously for Ajaccio. The Rue st.
Charles is neither spacious nor ele-
CANT as a thoroughfare, but at that
point where 1t turns into the Place lie.
titia 1t is quiet and unfrequented at
night. A film Of tobacco smoke wav'
cred In and out among the guttering
candles and sreamed round the empty
and part empty champagne bottles. At
the head of the table sat Breitmann.
still pale and weary from bis hercu
lean labors. His face was immobile.
but his eyes were lively.
Tomorrow" said Breitmann. 1--WE
leave for France On board the mon
eys will be equally divided. Then for
the work" His voice was cold, au
thoritative.
1.-Two millionsr' mused Picard from
behind q fresh cloud of smoke. he
picked up a bottle and gravely Oiled
his glass. beckoning to the others to
follow his example. At.another sign
all rose to their feet. Breitmann alone
remaining seated. ITO the dayp
Rreltmann's lips grew thinner. That
was the only sign.
Outside. glancing obliquely though
the grillee window. stood II. Ferraud
He had not seen these worthless TO-
gether before. He knew all Of them
There was not a shoulder among them
that he could not lay a hand upon
and voice with surety the order OF
the law. Courage Of kind they oil
Ind, names once written gloriously in
history, but now merely passports into
dubious traffic. Heroes Of boulevard
exploits duelists. card players-could
It be possible that any sane man
should be their dupe1 After the
strange toast be heard many things
some heN had known. some be had
guessed at and some which surprised
him Only loyalty was lacking to
make them feared indeed. Present.,
he saw Breitmann rise. He was tired
be needed sleep. On the morrow. then
and in a week the Hrst blow OF the
new terror. They all bowed respect
fully as he passed out
The secret agent followed him till he
reached the Place des Palmiers. He
nut a hand on Brcitmann's arm The
latter. highly keyed. swung quickly
and. seeing who II was (the man he
believed to be at that moment pris
oner In the middle country. be made
a sinister move toward his hip. N
Ferraud was In peril. and he realized It.
"Wait moment. monsieur. There
Is no need Of that repeat. ] wish
son well. and this night | will prove
It. WhatP Do you not know that ]
could have 1ut my hand on you at any
moment2 fAttend. Return with me
to the litte house In Rue St Charles"
Brietm1 3 hand again stole toward
his hin.