Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-06-15
CHAPTER /.

Monsieur Aristide Brisson, the
fat little proprietor of the Hotel
du Nord-a modest house facing
the Place Puget at Toulon =
turned uneasily in his sleep, as
though fretted by a disturbing
dream ; then he awoke with a start
and rubbed his eyes. A glance at
the dark windows showed that the
dawn was yet far distant, and he
was about to turn over and go
thankfully to sleep again when a
sudden remembrance leaped into
his brain. In an instant, he had
bounded from the bed, strnck a
match, and, after a look at his
watch, lighted a candle. Then he
returned to the bed, and, without
conjunction, grasped the plump
arm Of Madame Brisson, who was
sleeping peacefully, and shook
her roughly.
"Wake, Gabrielle, wake!' he
cried-in French, of course
Madame Brisson, who was also
little and fat with a white skin
that was her pride, opened her
eyes, stared an instant, and then
sat up in bed.
Heavens, Brisson!" she cried,
her hand to her throat. "What
is it? What has happened? Have
you i%llness7'
"No, mol" said her husband,
who was struggling with his trou-
sers. "But rise, quickly!''
Madame Brisson glanced at the
dark windows.
81. do not understand" she
said.
"Ah, Gabrielle" said her hus-
band reproachfully, 81 should
never have believed you could
have forgotten! 1t is today, at
sunrise, that our guests DEPARTS
"Heavens!'' cried Madame
Brisson again, and she, too,
bounded from the bed and began
TO don her clothes with trembling
fingers. ''f'hat I should have for
gotten! Forgive me, Aristide
What hour is it?"
cit is almost four and a half. AT
1--WE, the coffee must be ready:''
"It shall bel" Madame prom
ised, and hurried from the room.
to complete her toilet in the kitch-
EN-.
Fortunately" M. Brisson mutt
tered to himself, "the fire is laid!''
Then, having held his collar to
the light and decided that it was
clean enough, he buttoncd it about
his neck, attached his shiny ready
made tie, donned his little white
coat, picked up the candle and left
the room. Passing along the cor
ridor to the front of the house, he
tapped at a door.
"Who is there?' called a rough
voice.
"Your coffee will be ready in 20
minutes, sir,'' said Brisson.
VERY we'll; and thank you,'
answered the voice, and Brisson
descended to the dining room,
opened the shutters, lighted the
lamp, and spread, the cloth.
He was contemplating his han
diwork, his head to one side, when
heavy steps sounded OH the stair,
and a moment later two men en-.
tered. They were both of middle
age, somewhat stocky and heavily
built, their hair close cropped,
their faces smooth shaven and
deeply tanned. They had, indeed.
that indurated look which only
years of exposure to wind and
rain car give, except that their
upper lips were some shades light.
er than the remainder of the face
betraying the fact that they had.
until recently, been protected by
a moustache. They were dressed
in somewhat shabby tweed walk.
ing suits, and wore heavy well
worn shoes. At this moment, each
carried in his hand a little KNAPP
sack.
M. Brisson greeted them bent
double, hoped. that they had slept
well, foretold a fine day, and as
sure6 them that coffee would be
ready in q moment.
"Our bags are in our room.
--.->-lu 11>1l~I ,-.