Year: 1859

because he wished me to leave town with
the money in my pocket, At least, SO it
appeared to me. This was sufficient
ground for me to work upon, and resoiv-
ed to watch the man little while; so I
rode to an out of-the-way place and left
my horse, and then returned and conceal
ed myself in position where could see
the movements of Louis Cazaubon. In
few minutes he came out from the fac.
tory and walked away. His step was
hurried and eager. I felt sure that he
was not the man who did the direct work
of death.


The plot was deeper than that, or he
would have been discovered ere this. So
I resolved to wait while and see if he
returned. I would have followed him if
I could have done so with safety; but he
might have detected me, and that would
not do. However, in less than fifteen
minutes he came. He walked now with
sober, innocent air.


saw Cazaubon at his desk, and then
again I returned to my horse. I knew
that had risk to run now, but was
ready for it. If the factory agent was at
the bottom of the crime, and meant to
have me robbed, he had already set his
machinery in motion, and the next devel-
opement would be upon the road. ex-
amined my pistols, and then left the town,
taking the road along the river towards
Aups.


At the end of half an hour came to
slopes of the Bariols mountains, and soon
afterwards entered the wood. now be-
gan to be very careful, and keep my eyes
about. I will not say that I was wholly


without fear; for the mysterious manner
in which the murders had been done,


verged so closely upon the marvellous,


that sort of superstitious dread attach.


ed to it.


Had the victims been shot, or rur


through with sword, or had their throats


cut, should have felt no sort of dread


But this was new ground. Death had


come here, nobody knew how. ItImigh


have come from an invisible hand, and il


dead silence. Yet when reasoned upor


the subject, felt sure that the murdere


must approach very near to his victims


ere the blow was struck, since it must b.
some direct ard powerful agent that coult
cause death in so strange a manner.


had crossed the little cascade of st
Esprit, and was descending a short, stee]
hillside, when saw young man by tn
| roadside, at the foot of the descent en-
! gagged in whipping mule. He was
5 slightly built fellow, and his coarse gar
ments were covered with meal. I kne,
? that there was mill upon the branch {
e the Verdon, not far back. and suppose
n he might be the miller's boy. As cam
y nearer, saw large sack upon th
S ground, close by where the mule we
g standing.


what is the matter I asked as
t, drew up near him.


n This ugly mule has thrown both m
and my bag of corn from his back
l. answered.
It Are you hurt p continued.
= my shoulder is hurt he said, and
d can't lift this sack again. If Monsie,


would help me, would be very graf
j. full.


10 Until this moment the idea of suspec


ing tie young man had not entered n
x head; but the suspicion flashed upon u
[e now. He was altogether too keen aloo
d ing fellow for millers' apprentice. f
D gave me a glance from a pair of quic
lie sharp eyes that meant more than he b,
ut spoken. And then, if had not be-


very much mistaken. I had seen him hol
n, ing his mule firmly with that left hand.
le leaped from my saddle, and mov'
le towards him, being careful to watch b
ut every movement.


v, Now said he. if you will take hold
ID that end, we will put it on He lift
a. at the other end, and pretended that
Id hurt his shoulder, and begged of me
of lift it on alone


Iprofessed to be willing to comply, al
ne stopped down for that purpose, keepil
n. my head in such position that I cou
II, watch him by a sidelong glance. As
or bent over and took hold of the sack, I S,
" him carry his hand to his bosom o.
1 draw something out Isaw his dark e
I fash, and heard his quick, eager breat
Mt ing.
IL In an instant I seized his wrist a
u bent it upwards, and as did so, hea
ut a sharp report like the explosion of a p'
q cussion cap, and aaw tiny wreath
he smoke curl up from the hand I held.
ad struggled to free himself from my gra'
ng but held him with grip of iron, a
90 fastened my gaze upon him.
ct I've found you, have p said, dra
Id ling one of my pistols and cooking it.
II, will simply inform you that am an off,
m. of the Prefecture, and that I have be
1 hunting for you. Just offer parti
to more of resistance and q bullet g


through your brain Now give up Il
n, weapon.


The young man was frightened, a
ut trembled violently


es It is only a tobacco-pipe, he said as
H. handed it to me.


to And certainly it looked like nothi
4 a ,,,oro. I,,,t bod coon onouoh IF II