Arabian
By ROBERT
LOUIS
STEVENSON
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of man who wa hluiself threatened.
If Mr. Holies was afraid of him, tt ap
peared that hit In bin turn was uot quit
easy on tlie score of Wr. Boll, lie
had come. It would seetu, to wake ur
tlint liia only fellow traveler wn asleep,
and. wben satisfied oil tbat point. be
liaJ at one withdrawn.
The clergyman leaped to hi feet.
The extreme of terror bad glveu pluc
to a reaction of foolhardy daring. He
reflated that the rattle of the flying
train concealed all other aouuda and
determined, come what might, to re
turn the visit he bad Just received. Di
vesting himself of hia cloak, which
might have Interfered with the free
dom of hla action, he entered the lava
tory nnd pauaed to listen. A be had
expected, there wna nothing to be beard
oImjvo the rour of the trulu's progress.
and, laying hia bund on the door at the
farther aide, he proceeded cautiously to
draw it back for about six Inche. Then
be stopiied nnd could not contain nn
ejacn tut Ion of surprise.
John Vandeleur wore fur traveling
: cap with lappela to protect hla eurs,
and this may have combined with the
sound of the express to keep biiu In
ignorance of what was going forward.
It la certain, at least, that be did not
raise his bead, but continued without
Interruption' to pursue bis strange em
ployment. Between his feet stood an
open butliox. In one hand he held the
sleeve of bis seuUklu greatcoat. In the
other a formidable knife, with which
be had Just slit up the lining of the
sli-eve. Mr. Holies hud read of persons
currying, money In a belt, and, as he
bud no nciuainlance with auy but
cricket belt, be hud never been abio
rightly to conceive bow this was muu
aged. Hut here was a stranger thing
before bis eyes, for John Vandeleur, It
apiwnred, carried diunmud In the IUt
lug of his sleeve, and even as the
young clergyman gused be could see
ono glittering brilliant drop after an
other Into the hatbox.
Ho stood riveted to the sKt. follow
ing this unusual business with his eye
The diamonds were, for the most part,
small and not easily distinguishable
either In sluie or (Ire. Huddciily the
dictator appeared to Hud a difficulty,
lie employed both hands and stooped
over his task, but It was not until after
considerable maneuvering that be i
trlcated n large tiara of diauionds from
tlie lining and held It up for some sec
onds' examination before he placed It
with the others In the hatbox. The
tiara was 0 ray of light to Mr. Holies.
He Immediately recognized it for a
part of the treasure stolen from Harry
Hartley by the loiterer. There was no
room for mistake; It was exactly as th
detective had described It. There were
the ruby stars, with a great emerald In
the center; there were the Interlacing
crescents, and there were the pear
shaped pendants, each single stone,
ILU EXTKH'ATLD A I.AIMSK TIAHA OF IIAMOMS FKOM '1 UK
L1N1.VL
which ave a sneclnl value to Ladr ' 'y cutting the diamond,
Vandcleur's tiara.
Mr. Holies was hugely relieve The
dictator was as deeply In the affair as
bo was. Neither could tetl tales upon
tb j t her. In tlie lirst glow of happi
ness the clergy man suffered a deep
1Kb to escape liuii. and, as his bosnni
liad Iwcoine chokcif and his throat dry
d'iriiig his previous siiene, the sigh
w hs followed hy coagh."' ) ?""T '
Mr. Vanrtetcnr looked np. Hi face
nontracted with the blackest snd most
Villy poison, his eyes opened widely
ami his under Jaw dropied In an a
toulsbmentjhst was npnn the brink of
turf. Hy i Instinctive movement l j.
1 1. id covered the rwtr-T"wlflr the -rest
1 or half a minute the twy metv tt4
vpon each oUier In sileiKe. ' H wag not j
long lntervs but It mtltlced for Mr.
,'' JtoTTcs. Il -wss one of, those who
, think snifter on danrti'n orcsstons.
lie declrd on a coni of llrt1n of a
-r-uauljulv iIStiimJincc. andt-althonsh
be felt be wss setting Ms life npori
baxsrd. he wss the Ant to break si
lem.
"I bee your pardon," said he.
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The dictator shivered slightly, and
wben be spoke bla voice was bourse.
"What do you want here':" be asked.
"I take a iwrtlculur Interest in dia
uiouds," replied Mr. Holies, with an air
of perfect self possession. 'Two cou
nolsseur should be acquainted. - I
have here UrlUe of wy owu which
may perhaps serve for an Introduc
tion." And, so saying, be quietly took the
case from bis pocket, showed the
rajah's diamond to the dictator for an
Instant and replaced It In security.
It was once your brother's," he add
ed. Johu Vandeleur continued to regard
him with a kwk of almost painful
amazement, but he neither spoke nor
moved.
"I was pleased to observe," resumed
the young man, "that v.e have gems
from the same collection."
The dictator" surprise overpowered
blui. " "
"I beg your pardon." he suld. "I begin
fo perceive that I am growing old, and 1
am positively not prepared for little In
cident like this. Hut set my mind at
rest Uhiii one point: lo my eyes de
celv me, or are you Indeed a parson'"
I am In holy orders." answered Mr.
Rollcs.
"Well," cried tlie other, "as long as I
live I will never bear another word
against the cloth!"
"You flatter me," said Mr. Holies.
"Pardon me." replied Vnndeleur
"pardon me, young mau. You are no
coward, but It atlll remains to be seen
whether you are not the worst of fools.
Tertians," he continued, leaning back
upon his seat "s"rhaps you would
oblige me with a few imrticulam. 1
must suppose you bad some object In
the stuiefyinff Impudence of your pro
ceedings, and I confess I have a curi
osity to know It" " - " ''
"It Is very simple." replied the cler
gyman. "It proceed from my great
Inexperience of life."
"I shall be glad to be persuaded," an
swered Vandeleur. r
Whereupon Mr. Holies told him tee
whole story of Uls connection with the
rajah's diamond from the time lie I'onnd
It In Radium's garden to 'the time
when be left London in the Flying
deotebman. He added a brief sketch
of bis feelings and thoughts during the
Journey and concluded iu these words:
When I recognised the tiara. I know
we were In the same attitude toward
society, and this Inspired me, with n
hope, which. I trust, you will say was
not 111 founded, that yon might heroine
In some sense my partner In tlio diftt
rulties and. of course, the profits of my
situation. To one of your rpccln I know I
edge and obviously great experience
the negotiation of. the rimmond would
(Ire but little trouble, while to me It
was a mstter of Impossibility. On the
other part. I ludged that I might lose
and that not Improbably with an nn
skillful band, as might enable me to
pay yon with proper generosity for your
assistance. The subject was a delicate
one to hrnncb, and perhaps I fell short
In dellcsry. Hut I must ask you to
n-mrnilier hii( for me the situation
wss a new one. and I was entirely nn
finalnttl with Ilia etiquette In nse.
t helleve without vanity that I cmild
hsve msrrlril or baptized yon In a very
rrceptable manner, but every man ha
his own aptitudes, snd this sort of bar
gain wss not among the list of my ac
complishment.'
. " t0 nttn fon'" "P"
Vano1sur, Jlnjt, upon my word, yoi
hsve an jjnlisual disposition for a life
. Von bore more accomplish
mnt 1M yesi Imagine, ami,' t hutch
t hsve eneonntrred nnmber of rogue
In different quarter of tb world, I
never met with on so nnhlusUIng s
yourself. Cheer li, Mr. Holies; yon a.
"Vressioii st last.' .As r r
helping ymt, sflsv-may commstid tn-s
you will. I hsve only day's busiiu.s
l'i Kdinbnrgh on a little matter for wr
brother, and, once that la coucluded. 1
return to l'arls, litre I usually reside.
If you please, you may accompany iu
t bit her, and before tb cud of a muiitb
I believe 1 EiiaU have brought your lit
tle business to satisfactory conclu
sion." At this point, contrary to all the
canons of bis art, our Arabian author
breaks off the "Story of the Young
Mau Iu Holy Orders." I regret and
rondemn such practices, but I must
follow my brlgluul and refer the reader
for the conclusion of Mr. Holies' ad
ventures to tho next number of the
cycle, the "Story of the House With
the Urecn Blinds." . " '
Z3hc HAJAH'S
DIAMOND
.. . , Taut 111
Story cf 1h Hou.it XVtth thi
Crttn Htfadt '
Diveia ornvwnpnrn
F derk Iu the Bank of
I Scotland at Edinburgh,
I . , . .... t i . .
uuu siuiiura lue vi
tweuty-nve In a sphere
of quiet, creditable and
domestic life. UU moth
er died while be was young, but his
father, a man of sense and probity, bud
given blui an excellent education ut
school and brought him up nt botno to
orderly and frugal habits. Francis,
who was of a docile and affectionate
disposition, profited by these advan
tages with seal and devoted himself
heart and soul to bis employment. A
walk upon ttuturday afternoon, an oc
casional dinner with members of bis
family nud a yearly tour of a fortnight
In the highlands or even on the con
tinent of Kurope were Ills prlnclml dis
tractions, and be grew rapidly In favor
with his suiK-rlors and enjoyed already
a salary of nearly 200 a yeur, wltk the
prospect of an ultimate advance to al
most double that amount. Few youui
men were more contented,1 few more
willing and laborious than Km neb
Bcrymeeour. Sometimes at night, wbei
be had read the daily puper. be woult!
play upon the. Uute to amuse his futhri
for whoso, qualities he entertained t
great respect.' "' .
One day he received wJe.from
well known firm of writers to the
signet requesting the favor or nn Im
mediate Inbrvlcw with him. The let
ter was marked 'Trivate and t'ond
dentlnl." nnd had been addressed to
him nt the bank Instead of ut home,
two unusual cIiciiuiMaiiccs , which
made him obey the siiiiiuious with the
more nl.-icrlly. The senior uiemlier of
tho firm, a man of much austerity of
manner, made him gravely welcome,
reo,ucHlcd him, to take u scat and pro
ceeded to explain the matter In hand In
the picked expressions of a veteran
nan of business. A ierson, who must
remain nameless, bat . of wliow -the
lawyer had every reason to think well
- a man. In short, of some station In
the country desired to make Francis
nn annual allowance of .ViO. The cap
ital was to be placed under the control
of the lawyer's firm and two trustees,
who must also remain anonymous.
There were conditions annexed to this
liberality, but ho was of opinion that
his new client would Slid nothing ei
ther excessive or dishonornblo In the
terms, and he repeated these two
words with emphasis, as though be de
sired to commit himself to nothing
more.
, Francis asked their nature. - .
"The conditions,'' said the-writer to
the signet, "ore, as I have twice re
marked, neither dishonorable nor ex
cessive. At the same time I cannot
conceal from you thst they are most
unusual. Indeed the wholo case Is veryJ
much out of our way, and I should cer
tainly have refused it had It not been
for the reputation ' of the gentleman
who Intrnsled It to my rare nnd, let
me add, Mr. Hcrymgeour, the Interest I
have been led to take In yourself by
many complimentary and, I have no
doubt, well deserved reports."
Francis entreated him to be more
specific. "
"You cannot picture my n net slues
as to these conditions," he said.
"They are two." replied the lawyer,
"only two, and tlie sum, as yon will re
uicuiIkt. Is fuOO a year, ami unbur
deued, I forgot to odd, nnburdened."
And the lawyer raised his eyebrow
at him with solemn gusto.
"The first," he resumed, "Is of re
markable simplicity. You must be lo
l'arls by the a Heroism of Sunday, the
15th. There you will find, at the box
office of the L'oniedie Francaise. a tick
et for admission taken In your nam
and waiting you. Yna are requested
to sit but the whole performance In the,
sent provided, and that Is all."
"I should certainly have preferred
weekday," replied Francis, "Hut, aft
er all, once In a woy'V
"And In Paris, my dear sir." added
the lawyer soothingly. "I believe I am
something of a precisian myself, but
npon such a consideration, and In far
ts, I should not hesitate un instant."
And the pair taughed pleasantly to
gether. "The other U of more lniiortance,"
continued the writer to the signet "It
regards your marriage. My client, tak
ing a deep Interest In your welfare, de
sires to advise yon absolutely In the
choice of a wifeabsolutely, yon tinder
stand," he repeated.
"Let us be more explicit. If you
plense," returrtl Francis. "Am I to
marry any one, maid or widow, bln.-k
or white, whom this Invisible person
rlnsises to propose?" .
"I was to assure you that suitability
of age and position should be a princi
ple with your benefactor." replied the
la"vyer. "As to race. I confess the dif
ficulty had not occurred to me. and I
railed to Inquire, but. If you like, I will
make a note c it at once ami ad. lse
jou on tlie carlh-st opportunity."
"Sir." said Francis, "It remains to Is?
seen whether this whole affair Is not a
most unworthy fraud.-.. The -ircniu-staneea
nn ine4cnilec-l, had slmost
said incrjlil.Ie.-and iuiil I see a tittle
more daylight and prune pla0st1l mo
tive I ronfcs 1 pfiohlll Be Trry sisry to
put n hand To trte UrswwcliiHi. I sp--peal
to yii tliis dilBcuJty Tor infor
mation, I most leant what' 1 At tnerl
bottom of , it all. If you do not know, j
faiiT.u ne or are'-tforat liberty -tI
trll ni-. I sttart take myhat and gwtisck'
to my lunik as I came." r , ' -.- . .'.-
"I do not know," answered the law
yer, 'but I have an excellent guesa.
Tour father !ha no one else, is at thai
root of thlsupnivatly unnatural btul
ne,"
"My father!" cried Francis Iu ex
treme disdaiiL "Worthy uuu, 1 know
every thought of bl mind, every penny
of his fortuue."
"You misinterpret my words." suld
the lawyer. "I do not refer to Mr. j bosom. He knew he was now about to
rVrymgeour, r., for be Is uot your, hcur the voice of his father, and, nxak
f a tiier. When be and his wife came ft j lug a wide circuit, be noiselessly took
Ediuburgh. you wers already ueurlyl tils place lirhllid the couple Ul question,
one year old, and you had not yet Uvu! who were too much interested Iu their
three mouths lo their care. The secret j talk to oh.srrve much else. As Francis
has been well kept, but such Is the) uad eiecled. the conversation wa
fact Your father Is unknown, and I conducted in lha JunuUsh luuguage.
say again tbat I believe him to be th
original of tlie offers I am at present
charged to transmit to you."
' It would be Impossible to exagirerat.
toe astouisbmeut of Francis iScTyni
geour at this unexpected Information
lie pleaded this confusion to the law
yer. "Sir," suld be, "after n piece of uews
so startling you must grunt uie some
hours for thought. You shall know
this evening whst conclusion 1 have
reached."
Tb lawyer commended his prudeure,
and Fraud, excuaiug himself upon
soma nreteit st the bank, took a lone
walk Into the country and fully conshi-1
ered the different steps ami nice; of.
the caso. A pleasant sense of Ills owi. j
Imisirtauce rendered blui the more de
liberate, but the Imiu w.is from the.
UK XOIMEI.K8SI.T TOOK, HIS
first not doubtful. His whole carnal
man leaned Irresistibly toward the .s00
a year nnd the strange conditions with
which It was burdened. . He discovered
In hi heart ou Invincible repugnance
to the name of Hcrymgeour, which he
find never hltlierto disliked; he began
to despise the narrow and uiiromantlc
Interest of hi former life, and when
once bla mind was fairly made up bo
walked with a new feeling of strength
and freedom and nourished himself
with the gnyest anticipations.
He said but a word to the lawyer
nnd Immediately received a check for
two quarters' arrears, for the allowance
was antedated from the 1st of January.
With this In his pocket he walked
borne. The Bn In Scotland street
looked mean In bis eyes; his nostrils, for
the first time, rebelled against the odor
of broth, and be observed little defects
of manner In his adoptive father which
filled him with surprise and almost
with disgust. The next day, he deter
mined, should see him on his way to
Paris.'
In that city, where he arrived long
before the appointed date, he put up at
a modest hotel frequented by English
and Italians and devoted himself to
Improvement In the French tongue. For
tbia purpose be bad a master twice a
week, entered Into conversation with
loiterers In the Champs Elysees nnd
nightly frequented the theater. He bad
hi whole toilet fashionably renewed
and was shaved and had his hair dress
ed every morning by a barls-r In a
neighboring street. This gave him some
thing of a foreign air and s(emed to
wipe off the reproach of his past years.
At length, on the Saturday afternoon,
be betook himself to the lsx olllce of
the theater in the Rue Hicbelieu. No
sooner had he mentioned his name than
the clerk produced the order In an en
velope of which the address was scarce
ly dry. ,
"It has been taken this moment."
said the clerk.
"Indeed:" said Francis. "May I ask
what the gentleman was like?"
"Your friend Is easy to describe," re
plied the ofiiclul "He Is old and srrons
and beautiful, with white hair and a
uhor eufr BfH-oAs hip fae. Yon ennnot
fall tn remiriilze so marked a ixtsoii." I
"No, Indeed." returned Francis, "and
I thank you for your politeness."
"He cannot yet be far distant," add
td the clerk. "If you make baste, yua
might still overtake him."
Francis did not wslt to he twice teld.
He ran precipitately from the theater
Into the middle of the street and looked
In all directions. More than one white
bnlrid mau wss within slgbtr tmt.
though he overtook each of them in
sncecsMlftti, sll- wanted the saber cut.
For nearly hslf an hour he tried one
urert after, sncrther In the iirtghlwltr-'
bsl uulil jt length, recognising ibn r
folly .f cnntlmi.il search, he started on
a. wnlk. to iviiikvw his asitutcd. feijl
lags, f T tins proximity if sn encounter
with him ! whom he could not doubt
lie ow-il the day had profoundly mnwd
the young man. -
It chau til that hi way led np the
f..a tfe......f ....I tiw.ti.wi mi the ftue il.-s 1
Martyrs, and chance In thi case served '
him better than all the forethought lo I
the world, fiv on tho outer boulevard
be :iw two nieu. Iu earnest colloquy
upou a seat. Hue was dark, young and
buudsuiuc. secularly dressed, but with
ttu Inih-I.lilc clerical stamp. The other
answered In every particular to tb
description given him by the clerk.
Francis felt tils heart bent blgli iu hi
"You suspicions begin to annoy me.
Holies," suld tbe uld man. "I tell you I'
am doing my utmost. A men cannot'
lay his bund ou millions iu a moment
Have I not taken you up, a mere stran
ger, out of pure good will? Are you not
living larg.'ly on my bounty?"
"ttu your advunces, Mr. Vandeleur,"
corrected tbe other.
"Advances, If you choose, aud Inter
est Instead of good will. If you prefer
It," returned Vandeleur angrily. "I am
not lu.-e to pick exiwcsslons. Business
Is business, and your business, let me
remind you, 1 too muddy for such airs.
Trust me or leave mo alone and find
some one else, but l4 u have an end.
for Hod's sake, of ygur Jeremiads,' '
I urn beginning to learn the world,"
replied the other, "and I seo that you
have every reason to play. uie (also and
Ti.ACK BEHIND THE COUPLE.
not one to deal honestly. I am not here
to pick expressions either. You whjh
!. ii . i i." - i.
the diamond for yourself. You know
,.., .... .,t ,,., ... 1
not
you not already forged my mime and
searched my lodging In my absence.
I nudcrstsnil the cause of your delays.
Yon are lying In wait. You are the
diamond hunter, forsooth, and sooner
or Inter, by fair means or foul, you'll
lay your hands uon It. I tell you it
mnst stop. Push me much farther, and
I promise you a surprise."
It does not become you to use
threats," returned Vandeleur. "Two
can play at that. My brother Is here
In Paris, the police arc -on the alert
and if you persist Iu wearying me with
your caterwauling I will a r rungs a lit
tle astonishment for you, Mr. Holies.
But mine shall be once and for nil. Do
you understand, or would you prefer
me to tell It you In Hebrew? There la
au end. to nil things, and you have
come to the end of my patience. Tues
day, at 7, not n day, not an hour, soon
er, not tlie least part of a second, If it
were to save your life. And If you do
not choose to wait, you may go to the
bottomless pit for me and welcome."
And so saying the dictator arose
from the bench and marched off In the
direction af Moutmarte, shaking bis
bead and swinging his cane with a
most furious air, while bis companion
rcnmlovd where he was In an attitude
of great dejection.
Francis was nt the pitch of surprise
nnd horror. His sentiments hail been
shocked to the last degree. The h;M'fnl
tenderness with which be bail tnken
his place upon the bench was trans
formed Into repulsion and despair. Old
Mr. Scryingoour, ho reflected, was a
far more kindly and creditable parent
titan this dangerous and violent In
triguer. Hut he retained his presence
of mind and suffered not a moment to
elapse liefore he was on tho trail of the
dictator.
That gentleman's fury carried him
forward at a brisk pace, and he was
so completely occupied Iu his angry
thoughts that he never so much as cast
a look behind him till he reached his
own door.
His house stood high up In the Rne
Lepic. commanding a view of all Putt,
and enjoying the pure air of the
heights. U was two stories high, with
green blinds and shutters, and all the
window looking on tlie street were
hermetically closed. Tops of trees
showed over tho liljiu garden wall, and
the wall was protected by chevaux de
frlse. The dictator paused a moment
While he searched bis po ket for a key,
and th- ti p -tiltig the gato disappeared
Wltbltt tuJ uci.ure, . '-. -
Francis, looked Jibout, him. ,:Tbs
neigbUiibood . was ery lonely, tbe
house f"fated hi lf gariTci. It seemed
as if mf.t.srmtllou must Jm'M coi
t 4tn abrupt em!.' AtsjcojmJ Kl.nce.
iiovMiver.lfxcd Lim a lull bouse next
door presenting, arable to tlie garden
nud in this jniilo a'sini-re 'window. Jle
ps.'Ct? in" ht front -nnd tum a. ticket
offering imfanrisbcel lodgings tijr the
month. and on lisuli-y the room wbn.ii
couim.i nih il - the dictator carden
proved to be one' of those to let Frsn-
cl did uot hesitate a moment He
took the room, paid an advance upon
the rent aud returned to bl bote! to
seek bis baggage.
The old man with tb saber cut
might or might not be bl father; bo
might or be might uot be upon the true
cent, but be wa certs luly ou the edg
of an exciting; mystery, and be prom
ised himself that be would not relax
bis observation until be bad got to the
bottom of tbe secret. .
From tbe window of hi new apart
ment Francl Scry in geour commanded
complete' view luto tb garden of tb
aouse with th green blinds. Immedi
ately below him a very comely chestnut
with wide boughs sheltered a pair of
rustic table where people might din
neignt or summer, im an iue
save ono a dense vegetation concealed
tbe soli, but there, between the table
and the bouse, he saw a patch of gravel
walk leading from the verumut tn tho
garden gat. - Studying the place from
between the boa ids of the Venetian
shutters, which be durst 'not open for
fear of attracting attention, Francl
bserved but little to Indicate tbe man
ners of the Inhabitants, and that little
argued no more than a close reserve
aud a taste for solitude. The garden
was conventual, the bouse bad the air
of a prison.. Tbe green blinds were all
drawn down un the outside; tbe door
Into tbe veranda was chsted; the gar
den, as far as be could see It, was left
entirely to itself In the evening sun
t blue. . A modest curl of smoke from a
single chlmaey alone testified to tbe
presence of living people.
In order that be might not be entirely
Idle and to give a certain color to bl
way of life Francis bad purchased
Euclid's Geometry la Freucb. which lie
set himself to' copy and translate on tbe
top of bis portmanteau and seated on
tbe door against tho wall, for he was
equally without a chair or table. From
time to time he would rise aud cast a
flu nee Into tbe Inclosure of tbe bouse
with tlut green blinds, but tbe windows
remained obstinutcly closed and tbe
garden empty.
Only lute In the evening did anything
occur to reward his continual attention.
Between 0 ami 10 the sharp tinkle of a
bell aroused hliu from a lit of dozlug,
aud lie sprang to bis observatory In
time to hear au Important noise of
lock being opened and bars removed
n.ud to. see Mr. Vandeleur, carrying a
lantern and clothed In a flowing robe of
black velvet with a skullcap to match.
Issue from under the vera'uda and pro
ceed leisurely toward the garden gate.
Tbe sound of twits and bars wo then
repeated, and a moment after Francis
perceived the dictator escorting luto
the house In tbe mobile light of the lan
tern an Individual of the lowest and
most despicable apiearanre. -
Half an hour -afterward tbo visitor
was reconducted to the street, and Mr.
Vandeleur, setting bis light upou oue
of tbe rustic table, finished n cigar
with great deliberation under the foil
ago of tho chestnut Fraud, peering
through a clear ; space among the
leaves, was able to follow Ills gestures
as he threw away the dsli or enjoyed a
copious Inhalal'im nnd 'beheld a cloud
upou tho old in: Tow i 1 a forcible
action of the hps, m :.;d. t stifled to
some deep and probably puuuful train
of thought. Tbe cigar was already al
most at an end when tho voice of a
young girl was heard suddenly crying
the hour from the Interior of the bouse.
"In a moment," replied John Vande
leur. - . . .is ,-ion
And with that be threw away the
stump and, taking j up the lantern,
sailed away under the veranda for the
night. As soon aa the door was closed
absolute darkness fell upon tbe bouse,
, . , . . , .. ,
trancis might try his eyesight as much
as he pleased, he could not detect so
much as a single chink of light below a
Mind, and he concluded,' with great,
good sense, that the bedchambers were
all upon the other side.
Early the next morn (rig (for be wa
early 'awoke after an uncomfortable
night upon the floor) be saw grouse to
adopt, a different explanation. Tbe
blinds roso, one after another, by means
of a spring In tbe Interior and disclosed
steel shutters such as we see on the
frout of shops. These In their turu
were rolled up by a similar contrivance,
and for the space of about nn hour the
chambers were left open to the morning
air.- At the end of that time Mr. Van
deleur with his own hand once more
closed the shutter and replaced the
blinds from within. . .
. While Francl wss still marveling at
these precaution the door opened and
a young girl came forth to look about
her In the garden. It was not two
minutes before she re-entered the bouse,
but even in that short time he saw
enough to convince hi in (lint she pos
sessed the most unusual attractions.
His curiosity was not only highly ex
cited by this Incident, but hi spirit
were lniroved to a still more notable
degree. The alurmlng manner and
more than eainiiocal life of hi father
ceased from that moment to prey upon
bis mind. From that moment lie em
braced hi new family with ardor, and,
whether tbe young lady should prove
his sister or bis wife, be felt convinced
she was an angel In disguise. 8o much
was this the case that be was selxed
with a sudden horror when be reflected
how little be really knew and how pos
sible It wa thst he bad followed tbe
wrong person when he followed Mr.
Vandeleur.
' The porter, whom he consulted, could
afford him little Information, but, such
aa It was, it had a mysterious and
questionable sound. Tbe erson next
door was aa English gentleman of ex
traordinary wealth'and proportions tely
eccentric In hla taste and habits. He
possessed great collections, which be
kept tn tbe bouse lcside htm, and It
was to protect these that be had fitted
the place with steel sbuttvrs, elaborate
fastenings aud chevaux de frlse along
the garden wall He lived much alone,
Iu spite of some strange visitors with
whom It seemed he bad business to
transact, and there wa no one else In
the house except mademoiselle and anJ
old woman servant.
-"t ma4rmtelle hi daughter?" In
quired' Francis.
"Certainly," replied the porter. "Ma
demoiselle t the daughter of the bouse,
and strati g i4a to see bow she Is made
to-workv Kof-sll bis riches, it I she
trho goes to market, and every day Ul
ffte -weeer yon- may" no her going by
with a basket on her arm."
. "Ami tit collections r asked tbe ota-
VT-'' . t -
. 'MO said tbe man, "they ar u
Inensejy valuable. More 1 cannot tell
yon. since M. de Vandeleur' arrival
one' In1 tire quarter has so much a
osssea tbe door."
INTERESTING
FACTn-
When sxiiile are contemplating trip
whether ou bllsinrs or pleasure,
' tliry naturally want lite l-H service
obtainable as lar as speed, etimforl
iuid puiety is romerurd. Fuipiov
eesoitlie Wisconsin Central Line
are uid to serve tbe public ami our
trains ooeruted so as to make close
eonneelii n sitli diverging linesal
all juni ti.Hi oints.
Pullman Palace Sleeping and Cbair Cars
ou through trains.
Dining Car service unexcelled. Men
srrvfd a la Carte.
In order l obtain this flrkl.cbiss mstvkc
askthelkket stent lo sell you it
tk'krt over
THE WISCONSIN CENTRAL LINES.
Direct connections at Chiisi-i an.l Mil
wsukeefursll taster n point. i. . . ,
For full information call uu your .iin-.-t
ticket agent, or wilt- ....
Js.C.PoK, or Ja. A. Cj.ot v
ien. Pas. Agt., tieneral Agent,
Milwaukee, Wis. 5!4i "Stark
I'artlaud Markrts.
Wheal Walla Walla, T-V; MuMem,
;Tc; valley, 7,
Flour best gra.lt s, i:liu;(l4 per
Iwrrel ; gruliaiu, :l t .' . i : ,V.
Oals Xo.l white, ft 17(TI 20 ; iiiuv
$1 16 per cental.
Hurley Foed, i ier ton ; :i
brewing rolhst,$?2 per ton.
Millmufti Itran, 121; middling.
27; shorts. V-M ; hop, IS
May Tiinoihy, M '.'I ; clover, 17
Hiil'er Fancy creamery, '.'iH.i C'JJe
dairy, iiumiiial ; rlore. 17c (a IS icr ihhiiii
F.pgi Iresli Ittai I7!e.
Cheese Full err .mi iwics, lii)wl7Je;
Young American, 17 'ci.i S'c er pouiiii.
Poultry Chickens, mixed, 12 w 1 teis-r
lb, heiisn l:!4. He, rasters It' 1.1c;
broilers ( 17c, fryers, I I .t I.V, duck
13J (.11 14c, geeso 8c, turkeys, live 17c,
dressed IS Uc ier Hi.
Hogs (iros, heavy, fit Mir7 ; light,
$4.75 (tr.'i ; drestd, SwS'ac per pound.
Veal Small, 7 Jtftc; large, 7u7l..c
per poll mi.
Heel tiross top steers, l..0(.i 5..".0 ;
Hops IKdf.M c per pound.
Wool Valley I. (.1im' ;hnslernOrekon,
at 14; mohair, H.'i at USc per (snind.
Potalisfi: .'m (it- f .tit) per siu k
Onions 40.VIC per cental ; .
"Supisise not," returned . Francis.
kYou must surely have some notion
what these famous galleries contain.
Is It pictures, silks, statues, jewels or
WhaU"
".My faith, sir," said the fellow, with,
a shrug, "it might be carrots, and still
I could not tell you. How should 1
know 7 The house Is kept like a garri
son, as you perceive."
And thun aa Francis was returning
dlsapiHilnted to bis room the porter
Called blm back.
"I have Just remembered, sir," ssid
be. "M. de Vandeleur has Ik-cii in all
parts of the world, and I once . heard
the old woman declare that he bad
brought muuy diamonds buck with
blm. If thut be the truth, there must
be a fine show Iwliiud those shutters."
l!y an early hour on Sunday Francis
was In his place at the theater. The
eat which had been taken for him was
only two or three numbers from the
Ict hand side and directly opiswlte one
of tbe lower boxes. As the seat hud
been ssciiilly chosen there was doubt
less something to be learned from Its
position, and he Judged by an liistluct
that the box upon the right was. In
some way or other, to ls connected
with the drama In which be Ignorant ly
played a lart. Indeed It was so situ
ated that It occupants could safely
observe blm from beginning to end of
th piece. If they were so minded,
while, profiting by the depth, they
could screen themselves sutllelelitly
well from any counter examination on
bis side. He promised himself not to
leave It for a moment out of sight, and
while he scanned the rest of the thea
ter or made a show of attending to Hm
business of the stage he always kept
a corner of au eye iiism the empty Im.
The second act hud lscn some tliiio
In progress and was even drawing to
ward a rhsw when the door oiencd and
two persons entered and enscom-vl
themselves in tlie darkest of the shade.
Francis could hardly control his emo
tion. It was Mr. Vandeleur and hU
daughter. Tlie blood came and went
In his srterles and veins with stunning
activity; Ids ears snng; bis head turned.
He dared not look lest he should awake
uaplclon. His playbill, which be kept
reading from end tn end and over
again, tnrocd front white to red before
bis eyes, snd w lieu he east a glance
Upon the stage It seemed Incalculably
far away, ami be found the voices aud
gesture of the ai-tors to the Inst de
gree Impertinent and absurd.
To b Cuittinuul,
Pddisnabjgl
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