Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-03-06

The village square in Paradise was
nearly deserted. The children had
raced away to follow the newly arrived
gendarmes as closely as they dared,
and the women were indoors hanging
about their men, whom the govern
ment summoned to Lorient.
Far away towards Sainte-Y Ysole we
saw the blue woods which were our
goal. However, we had no intention of
going there as the bee flies, partly be-
cause Tric-Trac might see US, partly
because the Lizard wished any prowl-
ing passer-by to observe that he was
occupied with his illegitimate profes-
sion. All the while we had been twist
ing and doubling and edging nearer
and nearer to the Sainte- Ysole woods,
until we were already within their cool
shadow, and heard the tinkle of a
stream among leafy depths.
The Lizards poacher's eyes began to
glisten and simmer in the forest dusk
like the eyes of wild things that hunt
at night.
Presently he beckoned me, stepped
into the moss, and crawled without
sound straight through the holly
thicket.
Watch here" he whispered "Count
hundred when l disappear, then
creep on your stomach to the edge of
that bank"
Before had counted fifty 1 heard
the Lizard cry out, 'Bonjour, Trio
Trac!" but l counted on, obeying the
Lizard 'ss sorders as l should wish mine
to be obeyed. I counted one hundred
and crept forward to the messy edge
of the bank, under the yellow beach
| leaves.
Below me stood the Lizard, intently
watching figure crouched on hands
and knees before small, iron-bound
box.
The person addressed as Tric-Trac
promptly tried to hide the box by sit
ting down on 1t.
"F'lute!" he snarled. Like a mud.
pas polite, nom dun nom"
whats that box?" asked the Liz
ard, abruptly.
BOX? don't see any box"
/ You're sitting on it," observed the
Lizard. Whats in it?"
| Don't know replied Trio -Trac
with brisk interest. 81 found it,
The Lizard was silent.
| did you bring me anything to
chew on?" inquired Tric-Trac. shifting
at the poacher's sack.
Bread, cheese, three pheasants
cider-more than I eat in a week." said
the Lizard, quietly. "It will cost forty
SOUS"
! He opened his sack and slowly dis
played the provisions.
l looked hard at the iron-bound box
On one end was printed the Genevs
cross. Doctor belmont and Professor
Tavernier had disappeared carryin,
Red Cross funds. Was that their box
Trfc-Trac having ldevoured tht
cheese, bread and an entire pheasant
made bundle of the remaining food
emptied the cider jug, wiped his beard
less face with his cap, and announced
that he would be pleased to ~broil'
a cigarette
The Lizard laughed, and Tric-Trac
disgusted, stood up, settled his cal
over his wide ears, humming song al
he loosened his trousers belt. "Wht
are you gaping att" he added, abrupt
ly. Bon; c'est ma geule. Et apres
Drop that boxi The next time yol
come here to sell your shared pheas
ants, come like man, nom de Dieu
and not like cat Of the Glaciere!-o
I'll find way to stop your curiosity.
He picked up his box and the packe
Of provisions, dropped his revolve
into the side pocket af his jacket
cooked his greasy cap. blew kiss tt
the Lizard, and started off straight in
to the forest.
On our way home / drew from tn
poacher that Tric-Trac had name,
Mornac as head of the communist
plot in Brittany; that Mornac wa
coming to Paradise very soon, an
that then something gay might b
looked for.
And that night took Speed into m
confidence and finally Kelly Eyre, ou
balloonist.
cTO BE CONTINUED