The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-02-11

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the distance from the Rue Ncuve. he
said to himself that they must have
discovered his theft, and that Mme.
Boche and Nine. Mure were rousinl.
the whole village In order to tell the
story Of that strange event. Unless,
indeed, It was some ono in the neigh
borhood who, coming homo by the
Riom Road. had bumped up against
the distinguished corpse of the dis
tinguished visitor whom he had
strung up by his necktie on the FIRST
branch Of the first tree on the left
of tho road.
II so, M. Ju,es had been told by
that time. and the man who played
the drum would be Harvesting his
cart to 80 and fetch the commissary
Of police. rs they always did when
there were dead people hanging at
Unless. again. they had learned
that Ellie. Simeon and Hubert-with
his (Balaoo's) assistance. but no one
would ever know that-had escaped
from Riom Prison, q thing which
would certainly annoy the members
OF the race, for the Three Brothers
were feared by everybody. Balao0
sneaked of to the woods. resolving to
pass the night In q tree there. and
carrying over his arm the Empress's
gown.
On the day after that night Of ter
ror. at early dawn. the troops sent
from Clermont- Ferrand began the
famous siege of tho Black Woods.
II took no less from the start than a
regiment of infantry and squadron
of cavalry. with NJ. 10 Vicomte dc
Terrenoire at their head, to ring
round the space In which II was
thought that the Three Brothers
might have taken refuge.
Tho government was very mucn
annoyed because Of the rumor which
began to be current that tho Three
Brothers. who were known Tor poiiu-
cal agents. had held their tongues
the trial on the part which
they played in the elections. only be-
cause they had been promised an ap-
solute chance OF escape.
And that escape had been neatly
carried out, indeedi IL could not be
explained except on the assumption
that q helper bad como from tho out
side, working Mt his leisure, undts-
turbed by the warders.
Tho Three Brothers. confined In one
cell and guarded by five armed police
men, had flown as though on wings.
When the thing happened the ward
ers were playing cards. a. usual. all
seated round table. while Simeon.
Ellie ana Hubert stood behind them,
them
When tho game was finished and
the players raised their heads. they
looked In vain for the prisoners. who
had disappeared.
Two Of the bars at the window had
been twisted out Of shape with m
effort which no mans arm was ca
pable OF making. 1t was through this
aperture that they had flown away.
And there was really ho other word
for II: they must have skinned
across the roofs like birds.
The soldiers began their hunt Of
the forest by searching the Vautrin
hut. There they found only La
Iiarbe. the Brothers raralyzcd
Suddenly there was a great commo-
tion In the road outside the VautrinS
house. Everybody was pushing TO
see white thing coming down the
middle of the road from the forest.
TITS the Empress's dress! It's the
Empress dress come back!"
But the Empress's dress was not re-
turning alone; and soon they were
able to SEQ that the Empress's dress
was returning on the shoulders OF lit
lie Zoe. Yes. as I live, II was Zoo. In
The Empress's gown. giving herself
The airs Of the Queen OF Heaven along
The road.
Zoe at once addressed the mayor.
monsieur 10 maire," she said bold
". In her little shrill. vinegary voice,
Il have come from my brothers, who
have something to say to the Presi-
lent Of tho Republic. They want him
10 give them a pardon.
III the President Of tho Republic
ioes that my brothers will never be
heard OF any moro. They will do no.
body any harm and they will leave
he district.
III the President Of the Republic
ioes not give them their pardon they
will kill DR.. Honorat."
Loud rumors at once arose and the
'refect again regretted that the
worthy doctor had not already de-
parted this life. He was heard growl-
ng In his mustache:
"A nice business. We're In for black
nail now"
He left the Vautrins' house at last
md walked up to Zoo. The others
ormsd q circle around them on the
paA.
Don't touch me. mind" saia he
"a e1IR~, 800 49,