The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1914-07-16
By Robert Louis Stevenson

opening MS mouth TO claim another
victory when Montigny leaped up swift
as an adder and stabbed him to the
heart. The blow took effect before he
| had time to utter a cry, before he
had time to move. A tremor or two
convulsed his frame. His hands open
ed and shut, his heels ratified on the
floor, then his head rolled backward
over one shoulder. with eyes wide
open, and Thevenin Pensete's spirit
| had returned to him who made it.
Every one sprang to his feet, but the
business was over in two twos. my
| God! said Tabary, and he began to
pray in Latin.
Villon broke out into hysterical
laughter. He came a step forward
and ducked a ridiculous bow at Theve-
min and laughed still louder Then he
sat down suddenly all of a heap upon
a stool and continued laughing bitterly
as though he would shake himself to
pieces.
Montigny recovered his composure
first.
Lets see what he has about him.
he remarked, and he picked the dead
mans pockets with practiced hand
and divided the money into four equal
portions on the table. "Theres for
you," be said.
The monk received his share with
deep sigh. and a single stealthy glance
at the dead Thevenin, who was begin
ming to sink into himself and topple
sideways off the chair.
"We're all in for it," cried Villon,
swallowing his mirth. 'Its a hanging
job for every man Jack of us that's
here-not to speak Of those who aren't"
Then he pocketed his share of the spoil
and executed shuttle with his feet as
if to restore the circulation.
Tabary was the last to help himself
He made a dash at the money and re-
tired to the other end of the room.
Montigny stuck Thevenin upright in
the chair and drew out the dagger,
which was followed by jet of blood.
"You fellows had better be moving"
he said as he wiped the blade on his
victims doublet
II think we had," returned Villon,
with gulp. d. his fat headw he
broke out. 1T sticks in my throat like
phlegm. What right has man to
have red hair when he is dead?' And
he fell all Of heap again upon the
stool and fairly covered his face with
his hands
Montigny and Dom Nicolas laughed
aloud, even Tabary feebly Ginning in.
"Cry BABY said the monk:
II always said he was a woman"
added Montigny with a sheer. "Sit up.
can't you?'' he went on, giving another
shake to the murdered body. thread
out that fire. Nickv'
But Nick was better employed. He
was quietly taking Villon's purse as
the poet sat limp and trembling on the
stool where he had been making a bal
lad not three minutes before. Montig-
ny and Tabary dumbly demanded a
share of the booty. which the monk
silently promised as he passed the lit
tie bag into the bosom of his gown.
In many ways an artistic nature units
a man for practical existence.
No sooner had the theft been accom-
plished than Villon shook himself,
jumped to his feet and began helping
to scatter and extinguish the embers
Meanwhile Montigny opened the door
and cautiously peered into the street.
The coast was clear. There was no
meddlesome patrol in sight. Still it
was judged wiser to slip out severally,
| 1n6 Vi110n tho fret w
sent to issue forth.
The wind had triumphed and swept
all the clouds from heaven. Only I
few vapors as thin as moonlight fleet
ed rapidly across the stars. 1t was
bitter cold, and by common optical
effect, things seemed almost more def
mite than in the broadcast daylight VIII
Ion cursed his fortune Would it were
still showing! Now, wherever he
went he left an indelible trail.
Two things preoccupied him as he
went, the aspect Of the gallows at
Montfaucon in this bright. windy
phase of the nights existence. for one.
and for another, the look Of the dead
man with his bald head and garland Of
red curls.. Both struck cold upon his
heart. and he kept Quickening his pace
as if he could escape from unpleasant
thoughts by mere fleetness Of foot.
Suddenly he saw a long way before
him black clump and couple Of Ian
terms. The clump was in motion, and
the lanterns swung as though carried
by men walking. 1t was patrol.
Just on his left hand there stood a
great hotel. with some turrets and a
large porch before the door. It was
dark inside after the glimmer of the
snowy streets, and he was cropping for
ward with outspread hands when he
stumbled over some substance which