The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-20

HARRINGTON
| opening his 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 cry. before he
had time to move 4 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 step forward
and ducked a ridiculous bow at Theve-
min and laughed still louder Then he
sat down suddenly all of a heap upon
stool and continued laughing bitterly
as though he would shake himself to
pieces.
Montigny recovered his composure
first
Let's 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
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
here-not to speak of those who aren't"
Then he pocketed his share of the spoil
and executed Il 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.
AIontigny 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.
Il think we had returned VillOn.
with gulp d his fat headr' he
broke out. 1T sticks in my throat like
phlegm What right has Il 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.
Alontigny and Dom Nicolas laughed
aloud. even Tabary feebly Ginning in.
Cry baby" said the monk.
81 always said he was Il woman"
added Montigny with II sneer. sit up.
can't you:" he went on. giving another
shake TO the murdered body. Tread
out that fire. Nick
But Nick was better employed. He
was quietly taking Villon's purse as
the poet sat limp and trem bling on the
stool where he had been making a 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
man for practical existence.
No sooner had the theft been accom-
plished than Eillon 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 WIS clear. There was no
meldesome patrol in sight. Still Ii
was Judged wiser To slip ont severally.
and Nillon WAS the first by general con
gent tn iSSue forth
The wind had rriumphed and swept
all the clouds from heaven Only
few vaporS thin us moonlight fleet
ed rapidly acroSS the sturS. 1t was
bitter cold. ana by IL common optical
effect. things seemed almost more def
mite than in the broadpSt daylight. Vii
lon cursed his fortune Would 1t were
still showing: Now. wherever he
went he left an indeIihle trail
Two things prprcupied him as he
Went. the ASPECT of the gallows at
Montfaucon in this bright. windy
phase of the nights existence. for one.
ana for another. the look of the dead
man with his bald head and garland of
red curlS. Both struck Geld upon his
heart. and he kept quickening his pace
as If he could ESCAPE from unpleasant
thoughts by mere fieetnrSs of foot.
Suddenly he saw u long way before
him black clump and a couple of Ian
terms. The ciump was in motion. and
the lanterns swung as though carried
by men walking. Ii was Il patrol
just on his left hand there stood a
great hotel. with some turrets and a
large porch before the door. 1t WIS
dark inside, after the glimmer OF the
snowy STREETS. and lie WIS cropping f.1T
ward With outsprc;ld hands when he
stumbled over sunle substance which |