The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-08-28
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MARY RAYMOND Sf4LPMAN ANDREWS.
Copyright 1919 by The Bohbs-Asrrai Co.

chateau and burned 1t TO the ground,
and the dog and tne treasure Wee
buried In II. and there they are TO
this day. The people OF VicQues be-
lieve that II man will 60 10 dig for
that treasure and will stay till mid
night, that at twelve exactly colos
sal dog will rise from the ruined
stones and come. breathing flames;
In his mouth will be the key To che
treasure.vault, and back OF him will
stand the ghost OF the Roman gov
efnor wrapped In white, his face COW
ored And II the man will be bold
enough to take the key from the
flaming mouth. then dog and governor
will vanish In clap OF thunder. and
in front Of the daring one will rise
the door of the treasurevault. and
he maXturn the key and 90 In and
help himself The people Of VicQues
believesthis because the grandfathers
have known from their grandfathers
how there were men in old times
drawer than common who stayed TIL
midnight In the ruins and saw the
dog and the ghost-but none was
brave enough ever to take the key
from the dogs mouth.
The child Francois his heels hang
Ing over the drop OF the ancient wall,
the shadows of large chestnut tree
playing back and forth across his
httle figure and across the broken
Uks OF grass-grown stones which
~ tbeen the castle granaries. re-
Xoeu this tale in his mind. The
Axtxne of the huge dog breathing
nte and that ghostly vision OF the
btt11ess governor. white. face-covered,
g1Sray outlined In the shadows, gave
~ 6oy a thrill of agreeable horror.
Mnot a thrill of fear. Fear had
Zen. those who knew him said. .eft
out of this lad.
He does not think of himself,
said the grandmother proudly, so he
can not fear for himself.
Francois considered, and, feeling
no fear in his soul, decided that ne
was the man destined to take the Key
cut of the dogs mouth and get the
treasure. which he would at once
transfer intact to his mother. lie
had no need for treasure: there were
things more important. II was Tor
him 10 become q Marshal OF France
Napoleon had said SO; It must Dc so;
but he should like. on the way TO this
goal to face the dog and take the
kew and give his mother the treasure
He knew she would like 1t, for he
had heard her say to his father only
Yesterday. "Ah, Francois, II we had a
little more silver we could do that
II would be pleasant to arrange that
for his mother. and shortly after TO
become q Marshal Of France.
In the gaiety OF the thought, ana
feeling both ambitions all but accom-
plished by his decision. he lifted him.
self on the palms Of his hands and
kicked out lightly over the abyss. AS
he Kicked there was a sudden strong
grip on his shoulder; he was terked
backward and rolled on the grass.
= asArE you tired OF life at this age
them" a strident voice demanded,
and Francois lay on his back and re-
garded. wondering. at ease. the
bronzed lined face of big man stand.
ing over him. The two stared. and
then: "You believe yourself to be
an eagle, and you are on the point OF
flying? Is that it," The abrupt virile
voice threw the questions at him, and
Francois smiled sunnily. He knew
this to be sarcasm, though he did not
know that name for 1t, and from the
sweet soundness OF his soul the ar
row of sarcasm slid OF always as
glancing brightness and left no poi
son. Francois smiled; then laughed
with assurance Of the others friend
lincss up into the strange mans face.
He got to his feet and stood
mo. Msieur." he said politely. II
did not think myself an eagle. l was
only pleased at thinking what I am
going to be some day Something
much better than an eagle" and he
nodded with q confidence In the
strangers symparhy.
.iAh,.~ The deep strong voicev
be fired like q cannon-shot
ambush Of the bristling mus
Qeha Great things are likely to
Mppen ITO you. 1t seems then, You
a1saf peasant. IL 1t permitted to ask
MAJ magnificence 1t IL that you are
tdrhal.
Certainly Il is permitted, Msieur."
Francois answered IN his courageous,