Year: 1871

nothing had happened"


True enough, the next morning as
rose quite early to enjoy the fresh air, the
first person | encountered was the Major,
smoking cigar upon the steps.


'Hall! y he cried, ''are you up? Come,
let us 60 and see the horses"
We started for the stable Immediately,
and spent some time in watching the
grooms at work. Chiffon talked 'shorse"
all the while, calling my attention to the
points in the different animals, and telling
me OF the horses he had owned, and how
many races he had won with his famous
stallion ''Turco," and how he had dream
ed that something had befallen him; the
dream had such an effect upon him that he
arose from his bed, and taking a lantern
went to the stable, and actually found the
horse had strangled himself with his halter
in the STALL


'Ihat was very unfortunate, as well as
remarkable" | said


lis true, upon my honor" he replied.
81 have never ceased to regret the loss of
that noble animal. had frequently been
offered three thousand pounds for him,
but | assure you | would as soon have
thought of selling my beard"


After an inspection of the horses we
went back to the house. and were soon
busy at the breakfast table Chiffon APP
peared in fine spirits that day. The
chamber that he occupied adjoined my
own, and though I did not know it, was
locked with the key on his side. There
was a deep alcove in his room, in which
his servant had his bed.


retired to rest a good deal earlier than
usual that night, and got into sound
sleep. 1t must have been well towards
morning when | was awakened by u sud-
den wrench of my wrists and an acute
pain in my arms. Opening my eyes |
saw the door Of Chilton's room was open,
and the full glare of his lamp fell on my
face. | instantly became conscious that
my hands were securely bound above my
head to one OF the posts of the bedStead.
and the next moment Chiffon darted to
the foot of the bed and imprisoned my
feet in like manner.


| screamed with all my might, when he
sprang upon me, and planting one knee
on my chest, he grasped me by the throat
! to qniet my cries ! struggled with all
my strength, but l was comparatively
poWerless.


''Ha! you rascal !" he exclaimed, ''rve
got you at last This many a day Eve
been searching for you, but Eve found
you now. SO, after all my kindness to
You, you poisoned me. All migrate, now
| shall kill YOU and he displayed Il
bright razor, which he commenced to
flourish before my eyes.


The truth flashed upon me that the Ma
lor had another one of his attacks. In an
instant more and he would cut my throat.
| wrestled, but he held me with u grip Of
iron Deliberately he raised the steel
above my head, then he lowered it, till
| felt the cold blade touch my throat
Just then, when | had given myself up
for lost, a dark shadow fell across the
room, and the same moment the strong
arms Of his servant (who had been awak-
ened by my single cry), were around him,
and he was disarmed of his weapon and
secured. AT the same time heard voices
in the corridor, for the sleepers had all
been awakened. Colonel Manderfeld re-
moved me to another part OF the build
ing, but | ever afterwards kept sharp
eye on the Major when we We're together
alone.