The evening world., 1920-08-09


the present. so far have
been speaking of the falbled
past, the two legends, the prophecy
and the Cod Stone. Maguennoc's ad-
venture opens UP the period OF the
present day. which for that matter Is
hardly less obscure than the ancient
period. What happened to ,Maguen-
noc7 We shall probably never know.
He had been keeping in the back
ground for a week, gloomy and doing
no work. when suddenly he burst into
NJ. d'Hergemont's study roaring. I've
touched It! I'm done for! I've
touched st! took it in my
hand II burnt me like fire,
but wanted to keep II oh,
it's been gnawing into my bones for
days, It's hell--it's hell!' And he
showed ms the palm of his hand. II
was ali burnt. as though eaten mp
with cancer We tried to dress 1t for
him. but he seemed quite mad and
kept ra.r,' 'ng on, I'm the frst VIC
tim The fire will go to my
heart And after me the 9th
ers' turn will come That
same evening he cut Off his hand
with hatchet. And a week later.
after injecting the whole island with
terror he went away"
where did he go tor
ITO the village of lie Faouet, on a
pilgrimage to the Chapel Of st.
Barbe, near the place where you
found his dead body"
"who killed him, do you Think
Undoubtedly one OF the creatures
who used 10 correspond by means OF
signs written along the road. one Of
the creatures who live hidden in the
cells and VINO are pursuing eome
purpose which don't understand"
Those who attacked you and
Francois, therefore?"
YES; and Immediately afterwards
having stolen and put on our clothes,
played the parts OF Francois and my
self"
with what object?I
ITO enter the Priory more easily
and then, IL their attempt failed, to
balk inquiry"
But haven't you seen them since
they have kept you here?"
"I have seen only a woman, or
rather caught glimpse of her. She
comes at night She brings me food
and drink, unties my hands, bosens
the fastenings around my legs little
and comes back two hours after
Has she spoken to you?"
Once only, on the first night In
a. low voice to tell me that, II l
called out or uttered a sound or
tried TO escape, Francois would pay
the penalty"
But when they attacked you.
couldn't you then make out ?"
mo, saw no N Ire than Fran
co.'s did"
The woman lifted her head, listen
ing.
'T hear sounds" she said.
He also listened
Yes, yes, you're right"
perhaps it's Francois" she said.
"Perhaps it's up there"
She moved to rise. He held her
back:
mo, it's the sound OF footsteps in
the passage"
"In that case in that case
?" said Veronique,
They exchanged distraught glances,
forming no decision. not knowing
what to do.
The sound came nearer. The enemy
could not be suspoctlng anything for
the steps were those Of one who Is
not afraid OF being heard.
Stephane said, slowly:
"They must not see INC standing
up. I will go back to my place, You
must fasten me again as best you
can"
They remained hesttating, as
though cheri shlng the absurd hope
that the danger would pass OF It's
own accord. Then, suddenly, releas-
ing herself from the sort of stupol
that seemed TO paralyze her. We
ronique made up her mind;
| QUICK. llolt bilNg N"llS
lie down!"
He obeyod. In a few seconds she
had replaced the cords on and arounC
him as she had found them but with
cut tying them.
Turn your face to the rock" sh,
said. Hide your hands. Your hands
might bctray you"
And your
81 shall bc all right"
Sho stopped and stretched hersel
at full length against The door, il
which the spy hole, barred with strip
of iron, projected inwardly in such
way as to hide her from sight
? At the same moment the encm.
a stopped outside. notwithstanding th
, thickness Of the door Veroniquc heart
I the rustic OF u dress
And, above her some one looked In
II was a terrible moment. The lcts
indication would give the alarm.
A "Oh, why does shc stay" though
v Neron.que rs there anything to be
I tray my presence? My clothes?.
She thOuUht that II "a - more lkel