The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-08-11

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min and laughed still louder. Then he
sat down suddenly all Of heap upon
q stool and continued laughing bitterly
as though he would shake himself to
pieces.
Monhgny recovered his composure
first.
Lets see what he has about him."
he remarked, and he picked the dead
mans pockets with a practiced hand
and divided the money into four equal
portions on the table. There's for
you" he said.
The monk received his share with a
deep sigh. and single stealthy glance
at the dead Thevenin. who was begin
ming to sink into himself and topple
sideways off the chair
Were all in for it." cried Villon.
swallowing his mtrth- "1t's a hanging
Job for every Aan Jack Of us that's
here-not to speak OF those who aren't"
Then he pocketed his share Of the spoil
and executed a 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"
be said as he wiped the blade on his
victims doublet
II think we had" returned Villon.
with gulp. D. his fat headr' he
broke out at sticks in my throat like
phlegm. What right has a man to
have red hair when he is deadT' And
he fell all Of heap again upon the
stool and fairly covered his face with
his hands. zss-st-S~s. -a--.. -a=.-y..----
Mondgny and Dom Nicolas laughed
aloud. even Tabary feebly Ginning in.
"Cry babyr' said the monk.
81 always said he was woman"
added Montigny with a sneer. "Sit up,
can't your he went on, giving another
shake to the murdered body. Tread
out that fire, Nick"
But Nick was better employed. He
the poet sat limp and trembling on the
stool where he had been making bal
lad not three minutes before Montig-
ny and Tabary dumbly demanded
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-
rlTc fhon oh
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.
and Villon was the first by general con-
sent to issue forth.
The wind had triumphed and swept
all the clouds from heaven. Only a
few vapors as thin as moonlight feet
| ed rapidly across the stars. 1t was
bitter cold, and by common optical
effect, things seemed almost more def,
pite than in the broadcast daylight vii
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 long way before
him a black clump and 81 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. 1t 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
without some trepidation, the result
Nor had he to wait long, A window
was suddenly opened and a pailful of
Stops splashed down upon the doorstep.
Villon had not been unprepared for
something Of the sort and had put him
self as much in shelter as the nature
of the porch admitted. but for all that
he was deplorably drenched below the
waist. His hose began to freeze al
most at once. Death from cold and
exposure stared him in the face. He
remembered he was of phthisical tend
ency, and began coughing tentatively.
But the gravity OF. the danger steadied
his nerves, He STOPPED few hundred
yards from the door where he had been
so rcdely used and reflected with his
finger to his nose. He could see only
one way Of getting lodging and that
was to take it. He had noticed a
house not far away which looked as If
it might be easily broken into, and
thither he betook himself promptly,
entertaining himself on the way with
the idea Of a room still hot, with ia
BILE still loaded with the remains Of
supper. where be might pass the rest
Of the black hours and whence he
should issue on the morrow with an
armful of valuable plate. He even
considered on what viands and what
wines he should prefer, and as he was
calling the roll Of his favorite dainties
roast fish presented itself to his mind
with an odd mixture OF amusement