The Dermott news., 1919-07-17


 the counter. He came forward courte- ously as l approached.
 Do you remember" l asked sell ing collar 10 young lady recently no, some long time ago-a dog collar, l mean? This was the plate" Then l remembered a name Leroux had used and flung if out at random. "l think 1t was for Mile. Duehaine." l added.
 The shot went home.
 "Ah, monsieur, l remember perfect ly.' answered tae proprietor. both from the unusual nature of the collar difficulty in delivering it. There was no post office nearer the seigniory than St. Boniface. where il lay unclaimed for long time. think mademoiselle had forgotten all about the order. Or perhaps the dog had died ,''
 Where iS this seIgniory?"
 ''fhe seigniory of NJ Charles pu- chaine?" he answered. looking curi- ously at me. It is the oldest of the seigniories' he continued. In fact. it has never passed out of the hands of the descendants of the original owners. because II is almost uninhabitahle in winter. except by Indians"
 How would one reach the chateau2"
 ''ln summer he replied. "one might ascend the Riviere dor in canoe for half the distance, until one reached the mountains. and then" He Sip Ia .aH. T II know. Possibly one would inquire of the first trapper who passed in au- tumn. In winter one would fly.
 You see, NJ. Ducnnfre is d hermit" he continued. "Once. so my father used ia say, he was one of the sayest young men in Quebec But he became involved in the troubles of 1867 and then his wife died. and so he withdrew there with the little madcmoiseile- what was her name?
 ''Eh bien. if makes no .tGerence. be cause. since she left the conver.- nf the Grsulines here in Quebec, where she was educated. her father keeps her at tlie chateau and you are not likely to set eyes on NJ. Charles DGchaine'S daughter"
 X sudden stoppage in his flow of words. an almost guilty look upon his face, as new figure entered the little shop. directed my attention toward the stranger.
 He was an old man of medium size, very mu>eularly built, stout. and with l.. priests Soutane but he did not look like a priest-he looked like mans head on Il bulls body. His smooth face WAS tanned to the color of an Indian's- his bright blue eyes. almost concealed by their dropping, wrinkled lids, were piercing in their scrutiny.
 "BoJour. Pere Antoine" said the shopkeeper deferentially. fixing his eyes rather timIdly upon the old priests face
 "Eh ben. who is this with whom thou gossipest concerning the daugh- ter of NJ. Duchaine?" inquired Father Antoine, looking at me keenly.
 "ouiy cuStomer-a stranger. mon sieur." answered the proprietor. rub ping his hands together.
 You talk too much" said Pere An. toine roughly. Now. monsieur" he said. addressing me in fair English. what is the nature of your business that 1t can possibly concern either NJ. Duchaine or his daughter? Perhaps can inform you. since he is one of my pariShioners.
 My conversation was not with you. Monsieur le Cure" I answered shortly and left the shop
 had not gone three paces from the door, however. when the priest. com ing up behind me, placed a huge hand upon my shoulder and swung me round without the least apparent ef- fort.
 "I do not know what your business is. monsieur" he said. but if lt were me. If you wish to see NJ. Duchalne am best qualified To assist you to do SO since visit hls chateau twice each year to carry the consultations of re 1igion to him and bis people. But if your business Is not honest it will fail End if. then, and return to your own country"
 T do not intend to discuss my husl- ness with you. monsieur" answered augrily.
 He iet me 20 and stood eyeing me with his keen gaze, jumped on a passing ear, but. looking back. l saw him striding along behind II. He seemed to walk as quickly as the car went through the crowded street and with no effort
 found Jacqueline in her room. look ing over her purchases, and took her down to dinner.
 And here had another disconcert. Ing experience, for hardly were we seated when the inquisitive stranger whom had seen at the ferry came into the dining room, and after care ful survey which ended as his eyes fell on us, he took his seat at an adja- cent table