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PO OO booo booo hooo bOOO bOOO booo booo booo booo booo booo booo booo booo booo booo booo booo booo OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THE STRANGER -v AND THE PRINCESS BY SEWARD W. HOPKINS Copyright, 1900, by Seward TF. Hopkins. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 4 "What is it, mon—madame?" asked Mme. du Barry, suppressing a strong desire to shriek. "Madame," said Buckford, with some little show of annoyance in his tones, "I have Just discovered that I camo away this morning with no money. Now. it is well known that you have a bank account. He kind enough, there fore, to come with me to the bank and draw a certain amount I shall name." "Oh, the police have added robbery to their other virtues, it seems." "No this is a loan. I borrow the money, mndaine, and repay with inter est. To refuse me, uiadame, will isean to walk into the Palais de Justice in stead of the bank." Madame shuddered at the mention of that place, which she fancied she had so cheaply escaped. She groaned at the thought of losing money, but the alternative was worse. And the idea of police extortion was by no means now to her. On the way to the bank Huckford was busy with his conscience, which had for the first time got into the af fair. "How far am I justified in going with this creature?" he was asking himself. "It is surely a dishonest act to take her money, yet if I live I can repay her, with good interest. My own life and the lives of three Innocent per sons aud the apprehension of four ras cals all depend on my having money. I must have it, aud I will. If I am do ling wrong, the circumstances must plead for me. Aud this woman is planning to betray me and is my ene my." He smiled and coutinucd: "I will fight my enemies with their own weapons. I suppose both Caspa rln and Vandal have added to ma dame's wealth." They reached the bank. 1 "How much, monsieur? Will a hun dred francs be sufficient?" "No I must have a thousand." MM "A thousaud francs, monsieur?" "Hush! There is a gendarme at the corner. If you do not obey me, I will have him arrest you as the accomplice of the murderers and robbers and spies against the government." Mme. du Barry shivered and drew the money. With the sinews of war in his pos session Buckford felt stronger. He now called a cab and, remembering what Monroe had told him about the Prince of Dencslia, was driven to the ftoftfl the prince had occupied in Paris. He found the concierge in charge of an empty place. "Madame," said the concierge in re ply to Buekford's question, "M. le Count Itockmilllve left hero yesterday. I believe he Is now on his way to Aus tria or Germany. Can 1 aid madame in any way?" Iu an hour Buckford, with the still Finiliug but now bewildered Mme. du Barry, was at the terminal station of the Strassburg railway, where Buck ford, but half knowing whether he was right or wrong, purchased two tickets for Strassburg. "Now, madame," he said as the train started, "we are off upon our adven tures." Mme. du Barry glanced at the gay gown her companion wore, which had been presented to her by Vandal and which could be easily recognized by him, and smiled again. In fact, Mme. du Barry was begin ning to enjoy the whole affair and considered her thousand francs very well spent indeed. CHAPTER IX. THE INN ON'TBO. HfulinsteadATopenly AD the scene of the plot we have pictured been in Denes lia of Paris it is doubt if the brother of the ruling prince would have associated (With creatures so low in the human! scale as Vandal, Reber and Robello. But Casparln was in Paris. His re lationship to the noble prince was un known except to the few rascals he had employed to do his work, and his own tastes were so near like those of I Vandal and his associates that he found it not only convenient, but a source of pleasure, to be with them in their orgies as well as in their serious plottings. It was therefore a quartet well pleas ed with its own component parts that rolled toward the house of Mme. du Barry that evening after they had en Joyed the treat promised by Casparln. Of the four Casparin was the nearest sober. Reber and Robello, never hav ing had the money to indulge in such roistering as Vandal lived iu and Cas parln loved, were the drunkest. Be tween them Vandal maintained a drunken, owl-like solemnity of coun tenance which would have been coin jlcal if the countenance had been Intel ectual. As it was, it was merely eastly. For one I am tired out," grumbled Reber, staggering up against Vandal and cursing him for not walking straight. "I am going to bed." "Not quite yet," replied Vandal. "Do you forget the job we have on hand to night? The body of the American must be got rid of." "Yes," said Casparin. "That is -why I came home with you. I must see that disposed of. We must have no bad breaks now. My brother is gone, and we must start within a few days." "The sooner the better," said Vandal. "I shall not be sorry to earn that re ward." "Nor I!" "Nor I!" added Reber and Robello. "I have been thinking about that fel low up stairs there," said Casparin. "The police now have conviuced them selves—brilliant police—that the Amer ican who escaped from the Palais de Justice murdered the Amcrieau who helped him out. A little study would show them how absurd that theory is, but we are fortunate in having police to deal with who do not study. But now, if they find the body of this Amer ican In the same place as the other—or If they find it at all—what will be the result? They will know at once that both Americans have fallen among who wished them out of the.way. not wish to court an investlga "w. We must hide that fellow he will not be found." to that, we might have done it ,e," said Vandal. "We can bury in the cellar. But you had other is." 7.cs, I know I did. I thought it Id puzzle the police in a different I did not think they would prove ipld as they, seem now.. It Is bete $ "V 'H- *°*N ter to leave ttieiu in their stupid error than to stir the mess all up again." •*1 agree," said Vandal. "I agree!" "I agree!" said Reber and Robello. This delightful quartet reached the house of Muie. du Barry and stood out Bide looking stupidly—at least all but CaKparln, who knew little of the place— at the wiuilows, which were darkened, but which were usually ablaze with light till nearly morning. "What Is wrung here!" muttered Vandal. "Mme. du Barry must be ilL The house looks like a fuueral"— "It will bo a place of a funeral soon," chuckled Reber. "That chap 1 found on the bridge! IIo, ho! lie didn't know what was good for hlui. But, after all, what Is the difference between the cel lar of madame's house and the Seine?" "Yes, what?" added Robello. "Shut up," said Vandal roughly. "I tell you I don't like this. It means something." Vandal, being a favorite of nm« dame's and having use for her con venient house sometimes when she was out, carried a key. lie opened the door. The hall was dimly lighted. A serv ant sat nodding in the hail. "Hello, Francois! What Is this? Where is madame?" asked Vandal. Francois looked up sleepily. "I don't know, monsieur," he said. "I have uot seen uiadame since she went this morning to lie down with her headache. She is out, so mucli I know, for the cook, who was coming from the markets, saw her leave the house." "And did she leave no word with any one?" "Not a word, monsieur." "That is strange. Well, sit up for madame. We are goiug up stairs. In a short time you may hear us raovin about. We may even brlug our own wine from the cellar. There will be no need of attending us. Do you under stand "I understand, monsieur." Francois did more than understand. He rejoiced, for he was sleepy. The four passed ou up stairs. They entered the room in which they had held the conference overheard by Buckford. "Get a light, Reber, while I unlock this door," said Vandal. "Poof!" muttered Reber, moving about slowly to obey. "It is time we got that thing out of there. Poof! And It is not so very hot either." "Yes, it is high time," said Robello. Reber having found a lamp and lighted it, Vandal took his key from his pocket and opened the door. He stepped In with the lamp. The others followed him. Vandal stood with the lamp raised above his head. The other three stood grouped around him gazlug stupidly at him and at each other. Casparin was the first to recover bis spcech. "There is something wrong here!" he said. "Some one has removed the body." "Impossible!" blurted out Vandal "None but Reber and myself have the keys." "You are surely mistaken. The door was locked. Look! Has it been tam pered with?" Vandal handed the lamp to Reber and examined the door and lock. "It is In order," he said. "I do uot understand this—I swear I do not" "Some one certainly has access to this room," said Casparin. "You told me you two held the keys." "And so—that is the truth. I myself had this partition placed here. I put on that lock with my own hands. There were two keys with the lock, axd I gave one to Reber. As I live, these are the only keys that will un lock this door." "Theu account for this mystery. We left a dead man locked in here. He is gone, and yet you alone could open the door." "And we thought he was getting— ho, the window is open!" said Reber. "It was not so this morning." That is a still greater mystery!* "The window was lock ed on the inside. Some one has man aged to come up and get it open and take out the American." sa iQ vandal. Casparin laughed—a long, low hiss ing laugh of anger and derision. "I am beside myself with delight,1 he said. "I came from Deneslla to find men who were quick and shrewd in planning. I thought the French could excel In that. Why, we have plow men in Deneslla who are better." "What do you think, then?" asked Vaudal. "What do I think? My God! Are you still iu the dark! What do I think! I know. The man you left In here was not dead. lie recovered consciousness, climbed out of that window and made his escape. We uow have him against us and at liberty. We might better have left him In the Talais de Justice. There was no certainty he would be believed." "He must have escaped," said Van dal, having a thought only for the dis« aster. "He must have escaped. Yes, lie must surely have gone out of the win dow," said Reber and Robello. "Aud of course, since you are wise, you gentlemen," said Casparin, "you can associate his escape and the disappearance of your Mme. du Barry with each other." "No, no! Surely not!" said Vandal. "Surely yes! Was her room not un der this?" "Iler room is there." "Her room no longer, my friend, fear you will find the lady dead in her room. It was not Mme. du Barry the cook saw leaving, but the American dressed iu madame's clothes." At this a horrified cry came from Vandal, and he rushed for the door. He led the way and the others follow ed him to the floor below. The door of madame's room was uot locked. Van dal entered, expecting to see a most ghastly sight. He saw nothing but a bed, slightly rumpled, and articles of female cloth ing lying about. "I own my mistake," said Casparln with a laugh. "The American has not killed madame. Ho has eloped with her/' Vandal cursed? bcr and Robello Mme. du Barry Not a crime had either of them in Barry did uot had gone with tlu VVVVe will foUov. giyr- them both!" cried Vandai. Take my advice and go to bed," said Caspmiu. "We can do nothing before daylight. There is nothing to fear at onee. for the American will not give himself up to the police be fore he ascertains what fate they have iu store for hiui. A reward of 5,000 francs Is offered for his apprehension." Reber slapped his leg. "Good! It was worth 5,000 francs to us for him to escape. We will run him dowu aud earn the reward!" "My friend, you are quick to think, but you invariably think the wrong tiling. We shall do uothlng of the kind. We will run him dowu, but the police shall never see hiui." "Oh, as to that, you are able to pay the 5,000 francs." "And will. Now get some rest. We must be early astir." They obeyed him, aud early Iu the morning they were ready and eager for the chase. It proved to be far from difficult tt trace Mme. du Barry. She was well known In that quarter. It was soou learned by perslstcut questioning on the part of Vaudal that Mme. du Barry, in company with an other woman, "beautifully dressed," had been seen on the street. No one knew the other woman. Bit by bit they traced madame, and fiually the clew led to the bank. "It Is surely an elopement," said Vandal. "She has drawn her money." "Then they are on the way to Ameri ca," said Reber. The trail euded at the bank. It was in a quarter where no one knew Mme. du Barry. They returned to the house much discouraged. It was imperative that the American bo found before he had time to warn the Frince of Denes lla of the plot against him. At the house they found a telegram from Mine, du Barry at Strassburg. It was addressed to Vandal: "I am In Strassburg without money. Have been the victim of a police agent." "What mystery is this!" demauded Casparln. "Have the police regained possession of the Amerlcau? ne may be dead, after all. Come, things may uot be so bad. We must go to Strass burg." 'To Strassburg? Why not send mon ej* to madame to return?" "Such would be the thing if we were certain the man was dead. But we are in doubt. If he is alive, as indeed seems probable, he Is either in the hands of the police or in Strassburg with madame. In the first instance, we must take ourselves out of Paris at ouce, aud. In the second, we must get to Strassburg as soon as possible. You see we kill two birds with one stone. We must go to Strassburg." The four were soon In a train bound for Strassburg. Vandal had the tele gpein from madame. It bore the name no hotel. It had been sent from the railway station. Having reached Strassburg they went no farther than the station to begin their search. They found madame asleep on one of the beucHos with two infuriated em ployees angrily ordering her to sit up or they would call the police. She opeued her eyes, saw Vandal and leaped to her feet with a cry like that of a tigress. Oh! Ah! You have come, theu!" she said. "Have you brought knives and pistols to kill a beast? Well, that Is what you must do. I have sat here since last evening. I am nearly dead with Joss of sleep and my awful hun ger. For the love of the good God, get me something to eat." Vandal obediently took her to the cafe, and she attacked her meal with the eagerness of the famishiug. And now," said Casparln, "while you are eating, madame, please tell us what happened to you, and why an agent of police brought you here." "Bah! Those police! I was asleep In my room. I woke to find a young mau there. He ordered me to be quiet. He said he was an ageut of police in search of a prisoner, lie declared he had searched my house and was as sured the prisoner was gone. I knew he had not found that little room up stairs where the—the prisoner was. Well, he then had other fish to fry. He was after some spies against the government. You were one, Vandal you, your highness, were another. He commanded me to obey and threatened to take me to the Palais de Justice. You all know whether that would bo agreeable. I obeyed. He made me dress him as a woman. Oh, 1 laughed wlicu I disguised him! I gave him that fine silk gown you gave me, Vau dal—that one with the flowers on it. Well, you will know that madame when you meet her. She has on that gown. Then we went to the bank. I drew a thousand francs, aud he took it all. We came to Strasfcburg, and here I am. Where the agent of police Is I do not know. Wheu we arrived here, he told me to remain here while he went to engage a carriage. That was the last 1 saw of him or my thou saud francs." Reber and Robello gazed wondering* ly. Vandal looked at Casparin for the solution of this great mystery. "My friend, you have been badly sold," said the prince. "The supposed agent of police was no other than our prisoner, lie climbed from his room to yours. He assumed the role of police to frighten you Into obedience. He had no money, of course, just coming from the l'alals de Justice. You kind ly accommodated him with a thousand francs. "lie brought you here and left you without money in order to prevent your telling us until he had had time to escape. "This matter Is more serious than it seems. It proves that this American, instead of being, as we supposed, a youth who was easy to dupe, is shrewd and farseelng. lie will be an enemy worthy of our steel." "But undoubtedly he Is now on the way to America," said Jteber, "Nonsense. One scarcely goes from Paris to America by way of Strassburg. He had but a thousand francs. It would uot carry him there after his expense of bringing himself aud madame here. He has gone to Denes lla. That, my friends, is where we shall find him—in Deneslla. And we must find him soou or our game will be kuocked into rubbish." "But whdt, then, of me?" asked Mme. du Barry. "Am I to starve or be dragged to Deneslla with you?" "I think you had better go home. I will furulsh you the money," said Cas parin. Pleased at tills, Mme. du Barry took the money and the next train to Paris. "Now, my friends, we must hurry." said Casparln. "That dog has a good start and will reach Deneslla before wo do. But perhaps he will not be able to warn my brother. Now I will tell n'm You all know the way -1,0,0. ••v.uixg nuu go ni oticu to roy castle on the edge of the Green forest and announce yourselves as my guests, in vited from Paris. I am well known In fill parts of Deneslla and cannot bo seen plotting with inferiors. As my guests you can go aud come at will and lu disguise carry our plans to execu tion." "Good!" said Vandal. "Your castle on the Green forest, you told me, lies due north from Ontro, the border town." "Yes. Any one can tell you." So Casparin left his hired assassins ami went on to Deueslia. They, In obedience to his commands, followed him there, but little less rapidly. They were well supplied with cloth- Vfy/ -But what, then, ojmeT' asked Mme. du Tiftrru. ing, purchased at the large cities on the way. There was as yet no completed rail* road within the limits of Deneslla. Under the rule of the prince such im provements were rapidly being added to the public wealth. At that time Ontro, situated just within the border, was the terminus of a new line from German centers. Ontro, like small border towns in al most any country, was more or less lawless. Travelers rarely visited it. There were other gateways to Denes lla. Those who knew best rather shun ned the little town of Ontro. The houses were few and scattering. Prosperity seemed to be somewhat of a stranger. There was but one inn and that far from Imposing. Still they were hun gry, and there was no diligence beyond Ontro before the following morning. They went to the Inn. They had beeu the only passengers In the train and were therefore the only new guests at the Inn. They were received with a great show of eager hospitality. They drank and ate and felt refreshed. To pass away the time they dawdled In a room opening off the little public drawing room. This was a gaming room, aud four men were playing at a huge uncouth billiard table. Vandal aud his companions stood looking at the game "Well," said one of the players after a time, "this Is thirsty business. Have some good beer brought—do." He spoke In the German tongue, though scarcely what would be heard In Berlin. A bell was ruug, and in a short time a serving girl came in and took the order. "To the health of the good haus frau!" they said and drank the toast. As the waitress passed out the eyes of Vandal followed her. He suddenly nudged Reber and moved toward the door. In the poorly furnished little draw Ing room a tall woman sat at a table with her head bowed In her hands. She was flashily dressed for such place. "That Is our man!" whispered Van dal to Reber. "He has heard our voices and hides his head. I know that gown. I gave It to Mme. du Barry. Ah! It is the very same, for the patterns of the flowers are in my memory. Hush I will make sure." Reber and Robello, the latter of whom did not hear the conversation, stood in the doorway while Vandal walked to the woman.' "Madame, make me happy with look at your face," he said, with laugh, and, in a manner scarccly as polite as his words, he grasped her hair and bent back her head so as to sec her face. A truly feminine screech came from her, and she called a name. In an in stant the astonished Vandal was on the floor, with the four billiard play ers on top of him, pounding him, kick ing him and stabbing him in the stom ach with their cues. "Scoundrel!" yelled one. "French dog!" "Call ltobard!" shouted another. "Here is a rascal from France who in sults the hausfrau!' And while Vandal was being well thumped Reber and Robello, never very brave, fled from the place into the dark and unknown street. CHAPTER FOUR AGAINST ONE. OBARD, the man who kept the inn at Ontro, was a Denes llan who had married a Prus sian woman. These worthy people were supposed to make their living keeping the inn. The inn at Ontro sheltered such travelers as chanced to como that way and were forced to remain overnight, a thing that no traveler knowing his business ever did. The Inn also sheltered a band of rob bers and cutthroats, the chief mem bers of which were the four billiard players that had jumped upou Vandal, Iu response to the cries for Robard, that gentlcmau, a rotund and ruddy faced rascal^ came pufling In. "Here, here! What is the matter? Have you lost your senses?" he de manded. "Have you no sense what ever? Is this the place to knock down travelers and take their coin? Oh! You will hang out a sign uext, rnuko the old woman look smart." "It was the gown:" came a strug gling strangling voice from un '.er two men. "Let me-lip! Let me up! uin. explain!" "That is what I was about to say," added the former speaker. "Here we are thumping the life out of a man just because Frau Robard screamed. And where is she now? She fled from the.' scene. Give the fellow a chance to ex plain." ..it evident reluctance they got up 4Trav elers Neatly Robbed Here!'" "Shut up, you fool!" exclaimed one of, the men who sat on Vandal's head, "We are not robbing this fellow. We caught him trying to rob you." A loud laugh greeted this witty speech. "Rob me! That fellow rob me! Did he take the silver?" "Oh, no. He took nothing. But be was trying to rob you of the good hausfrau's smiles." "Oh, oh! Such impudence! Have you not already killed the beast?' "Not quite," said another of the gang. "I feel him panting under me. However, I think killing none to heavy a punishment. What do you say, Pa pa Robard?" "Well, now, after all, I think we had better go slow," said a third. "The fellow has been severely punished. What did he do, after all, more than fffllliint gentlemen In Ontro ^Sh? "He' simply admired our Jfher Robard." Tell, it must have been the vn. I tell you," said Papa that eown ls_ the thln/r to L'-iii ViiU.Uii'tJ prostrate body, and he slowly and painfully got to his feet. "The (K-vii: You Celiows are brave!" he said, with a puff and groan. "Four to one! Well, I must say It is not the way we do in France." "Ho! France! I have been there," sr' ird. "They don't give you a explain there. The garrote i. the morgue!" '•""•'ve fellow a chance to ex plr.iu, I way!" insisted the advocate o' fair play. Vandal staggered to a chair and beg ged for a glass of cognac. This was brought him, and after swallowing that and gathering his wits and ener gies he began his explanation. "You see," he said, "I and my two companions were where are they now? They deserted me in my need. Find the fools, I beg. or they will cre ate a disturbance. They will run half way through Dencslia telling that I am being murdered here." The one who seemed to be the lead er of the gang was as much alarmed at this as Vandal seemed to be. He at once stepped outside and gave orders "Here, hcret Have t/on lost your hciischT' he demanded. to some hangers on to find the two stringers in Ontro and return them to the lun with every assurance of safe ty. This matter having been attended to. Vandal resumed: "You see, I and my companions came from Paris in search of a young fel low ivho had robbed us—that Is, who had lobbed a friend of mine of several thousand francs." "What is this the fellow Is saying?" asked Frau Robard, who had returned when quiet was restored. She did not understand French. "I will speak German," said Vandal, who was quite a linguist In his way. "You see I and ray companions came from Paris In search of a young fel low who robbed a friend of mine of several thousand francs in money, some valuables and some flue clothing. We traced the rascal to Strassburg, and then from city to city and almost through Prussia. We lost the trail at last, but the directiou had steadily been toward Deneslla, and, knowing that he had friends here, we believed he would make for this country. "We knew that he left Paris lu the disguise of a woman. He arrived at Strassburg in the same disguise. And now the mysterious part of It is this— that he wore a gown the counterpart of the one Frau Robard now has on. I am sure of this, aud was so sure that the moment I set eyes on the gown I believed the wearer of it to be the thief. "To make sure, I stepped up to the lady, and, thinking more than ever that I was right, rudely raised her head in order to see her face. Imagine my amazement and consternation when I beheld the sweet face of good Frau Robard. Oh, I assure you, gentlemen, it was a most grievous error on my part, and no oue could regret it more than 1 did, especially when I felt your billiard cues ramming me In the stom ach. "Well, the evil Is not so great, If the good frau can forgive me." A look of great significance passed from Robard to the younger of the four, who was his son. "And you say this fellow was a thief?" asked the elder Robard. "llow much did you say lie stole?" It flashed into the mind of Vaudal that the paltry amount of a thousand francs was not sufficient loss to cause three men to chase across Europe at an ^xpeusc beyond that to recover it. "Why, so far as we could ascertain," he answered, "the rascal took iu money 12,000 francs, several diamond orna ments, ladies' Jewelry aud a fine gold watch." Another flash of intelligence from old Robard his son. "Well, my friend," said the old mau, "I can explain the matter of the gown very easily. There came to this inn from the train yesterday a young uian who claimed to be a peddler. In fact he had a valise, aud iu that valise he carried this gown, which he offered for sale. It took the fancy of my wife at once, and she made a bargain with Win. She took the gown, he took the money, spent the night here aud this morning departed." "What sort of a mau? llow did he look?" asked Vaudal. "Oh, a young fellow, lie spoke French, but I fancied he was more like those accursed English. lie spoke also German to the wife." "Smooth face, dark browu hair, good eyes?" "The same. Evidently the same. Though a thief who steals like that would not own good eyes long." "Oh, this fellow was a good actor. He can appear to be any tiling." "He must be a marvel!" "He Is. Which way did ho go?" "Well, now. to tell the truth, 1 do not remen'.' er. 1 think he went ou toward Trolle. At least he purchased a horse of inc." At this point the two frightened as sociates were brought in, and their eyes opened at seeing the man they had left at the bottom of a heap strug gling for life now at the top of the heap with the interest and attention of all concentrated on him. "Our man has gone ou toward Trolle," said Vandal. "Our friends here did not know they were lettlug a prize slip through their fingers. Why, there Is a prize of 5,000 francs offered by the Paris police for the return of the man to them. Oh, you should have held him!" Again that quick tlash from father to sou "I suggo. t, Vandal, "that, now our exp.ui «.Lh :i will estai.i.. the Fruv. In the mo* complete and good drink the health of .! md gejjsoine rest, \.w v. .II continue our a. *u*:A?i\ ^.4 *•?*& journey." "I agree. Robello. la »u hour tlu* three were in bed, and a consultation was being held be low between Uohard and his son. "Well, lurk has at last come to us,' chuckled the old villain to the younger one. "Twelve thousand francs, dia monds and a watch on him and 5,000 francs for returning him to the Paris police. But where is all that money? Six hundred francs only we found.1 "Well, we took his purse, thinking that contained all his wealth. A ped dler with WO francs is a rare bird. But VJ.000! Is lie safe for awhile yet?" "Well. 1 gave him a good dose. But, God. suppose I had killed him, as I in tended at first, and lost that 5,000 francs! Oh, if those three wise French men only knew their thief was asleep in this house! WeJ'. we would have to kill them. We mu not lose this prize." I agree," said Reber and From this delee 'lole conversation it will readily be gathered that only a portion of the story told by Robard to Vandal was true. Huckford, as will be remembered, gave Mine, du Barry the slip at Strassburg. He left Strass burg by the first train toward Dencslia and ou the way uiauaged to resume his natural appearance and placed the gown of Mme. du Barry in his valise. Arriving at Ontro, he had seized the first opportunity to get rid of the gown and had presented it to the wife of his host. She. pleased with the gaudy thing, accepted it. Judging that a man who could give away a gown that was better than any his w^fe had ever had must have plen ty of money, llobard had given the traveler a room into which he had a way of going by stealth. In this room he and his son had crept after the unsuspecting Buckford was asleep and had drugged him heavily. They had then proceeded to rifle his clothes, till, having found his purse, they had taken it, leaving him In his stupor while they thought of a way to either explain his loss satisfactorily or kill him if he made any fuss. They had given him more of the deadly stuff than they intended, and he had slept all that night and all day. But as has already been seen, Buck ford had a constitution of iron aud rallied from attacks that would kill ordinary men. He rallied from the effect of the drug, at first slowly, with a bewilder ing sense of Iryiug to recall where he was. Gradually his senses came back to him, and he remembered the inu at Ontro. lie felt somewhat 111, the natural effect of taking into his lungs the fumes of a stupefying drug. He lay on his bed expecting some one to come to him. lie knew that In any Inn—any well regulated inn—when a guest slept too long there would be an investigation. But the hours passed and no one came. Buckford had a feeling as If he had been ill a long time. He knew that oue day had elapsed since he came there, but knew uot how many more. The longer he lay there the better he felt. The strength was returning to his limbs. He did not even foel the pangs of hunger, lie at last got out of bed aud went to the door to call some one. ne found it locked. There was another door on another side of the room. lie opened that. It led into a space now evidently used as a closet, but from which, on the oppo site side, another door led somewhere. This he tried, but could do nothlug save push, as there was neither knob nor latch. While he was in the closet he heard voices. "The fellow is the very devil foi escaping," said a voice. "First he eludes us at Paris, then at Strass burg and now at Ontro. It Is a pity old Robard did not hold him. That 5,000 francs would pay for the trou ble." Buckford's heart beat rapidly. He recogulzed the voice of Vandal. "Has he gone to Trolle as a ped dler?" asked Reber. "This Is a strange game. Why did he sell the gown to that woman?" "Oh, to get money to buy the horse, I suppose. But that was a gay story about his stealing diamonds and 12, 000 francs. Well, I had to say some thing. Three of us would not chase across all Europe for 1.000 francs." Buckford. panting in the closet, won dered what it all meant. Evidently they were under the. Impression that he had gone on toward Trolle. They had also been told that he had sold the woman the gown when he had pre sented it to her. These things, together with his strange sensation of illness, made him suspicious. He stepped quickly back to his room and felt for his purse. It was gone. "Ah!" he said bitterly. "I lmve fallen among thieves again. This ras cal of an innkeeper has robbed me. Now, how shall 1 get out of this scrape with no money and my enemies in the very house?" He crept back to the closet. The three pursuers of the thief who stole so much wealth had been given two connecting rooms. lteDer and Robello occupied one, and Vandal was alone in the other. Their conver sation, carried on while they were pre paring for bed, was necessarily a lit tle loud. Buckford heard it easily. "How far Is Trolle from here?" Ro bello was asking. "When will he ar rive there?" "How old is a goose? It all depends on the horse the innkeeper sold him. If It was a good oue, lie can do it in two days." "Two days! And we are a day be hind him." "Well, we will get the best horses to be had and try to overtake him. I saw some horses in the stable today—not handsome beasts, but strong, and they looked speedy." "The stable! Did you find a stable? Tills inn Is the only stable I saw*." "Well, there is a stable for horses In the rear." The conversation now ceased, and Buckford went back to his room. He was now hi a thrill of excitement. He had lost his sense of Illness. Ills mlud was alert and quick. 11 is eagerness to find a way to escape had overcome the effect of the drug. He had taken off his clothes before retiring and now dressed himself. lie then made an examination of his room. He remembered that the window look ed out toward a large building, for he had seen it at the twilight hour when he had entered. This must be the sta ble spoken of by Vandal, lie next cautiously opened the window, making as little noise as possible. It was a dark ulght, there being no moon and but few stars to be seen. The great peak of the barn rose like a black mountain short distance away, He knew that he was on the ground floor of the lun. There seemed to be the roof of a shed under him. He was about to let himst "^iHdow when k« the lock of his door, and he heard tue voices of Robard and his son. At the same moment he hoard the roistering voices of three or four half drunken fellows under his window. He was caught between two forces. To drop from the window at that mo ment was to drop Into their hands. Robard would at once call out, and he would be taken. While he was debating what to do Robard aud his sou entered. "Ah, my friend, you have slept long," said Robard. "We feared you were 111." "Xo, I was only very weary," said Buckford. The younger Robard carried a lamp. By the light of this Buckford saw a knife sticking from the pocket of the elder rascal's coat. 1th a leap like that of a panther, he was on the old man aud tore the knife from the pocket. Iu another in stant its polut had found a soft spot between the robber's ribs. Then, with a blow from his list that sent the younger Robard reeling and the lamp Hying against the wall, Buck ford ran to the window and leaped to the roof of the shed below. From this he jumped dowu to the ground and came plump upou the roistering party of four, who were startled at this sud den alighting of a rare bird among them. "IIo. ho! What's this? A robber! Call Robard! Call Robard! Seize this fellow! Hold him till Robard comes!" "Fools!" cried Buckford as he saw the window of his room lighted with a red glare. "I am a guest of the Inn. My lamp upset, and the house took fire. This was the only escape. Do you see?" Fire, fire! Robard's inn Is on fire!" they shouted, and, sobered by the ter rible catastrophe, they released Buck ford and ran to the front of the build ing to gain an entrance. "Fire, tire!" Buckford could hear the alarm rlnglug from one end of the house to the other. Theu from the window of the room he had left came screams and yells of wild rage and despair. "Murder! Robbery! He has gone! After him, you Frenchmen! The thief They rode Ukc the wind over the hills. you want has just set the house on fire, stabbed Robard and leaped from the window! After him!" Buckford ran as he had never run before. He fouud an easy entrance to the stable. Every employee who slept lu or near the stable had rushed to the inn to fight the fire. He had no time to select a horse. lie took the one near est the door. Without saddle or bridle he led it forth, leaped upon Its back, and as the glare from the burning building sent a gleam of light around bim he dashed away, followed by the hoarse cries of rage and the pistol shots of the enraged Frenchmen »nd Robard's son. It is claimed that dentistry prolongs Ufe. A« lias been said of matrimony, It certainly makes It seem longer.—Louis ville Courier-Journal. Miss Alma—W hen did yon become acquainted with your wife, doctor? Doctor—After the wedding.—HeUer* Welt [CONTINUED, 1 A Profltablg Investment, "1 was troubled for about seven years with my stomach and in bed half my time," says E. Demick, Somerville, Ind. "I spent about SI,000 and never could kret anything to help me until 1 tried Kodnl Dyspersia Cure. have taken a few bottles and am entirely well." You don't live by what you eat,but by what you digest and asBimilate. If your etomach doesn't digest your food you are really starving. Kodol Dyspepsia Cure does the stomach'B work by digest ing the food. You don't have to diet. Eat all you want. Kodol Dyspepsia Curefcures all stomach troubles.-Smith Bros. CB Delaware Couuty, Notice Is hereby given, ilint the undersigned has been duly appointed and qualified un Ad mlntstmtor with wlliannoxed. of the estate of Kordiuaud Duuhuin. lato ot Delaware county Iowa, deceased. All person* Indebted to said estate are reqdestod to make Immediate pay ment, and those having claims nuatnst the game will present theiu, duly authenticated, to tbo uudorstKued for allowance. Dated Mancliestor, Iowa, December, 17, iooi. ABNKK DUNHAM. HKOXSON & CATtK, Attorneys for Estate, 51-3-w Child Worth ALillions. "My child Is worth millions to me," says Mrs. Mary Bird,of Harrisburg,Pa., "yet 1 would have lost her by croup had 1 not purchased a bottle of One Minute Cough Cure." One Minute Cough Cure 16 8ure cure for cough, croup and throat and lung troubles. An absolute ly safe cough cure which acts immed iately, The youngest child can take it with entire safety. The little ones like the taste and remember how often it helped them. Every family should have a bottle of One Minute Cough Cure handy. At this season especially it may be needed suddenly.—Smith Bros. Resldeuce Properties for Sale. Several tine residoncea in desirable portions of the City ot Manchester for sale cheap. En quire at the office of Manchester Democrat. Children Especially Liable. Burns, bruises and cutB are extreme ly painful and if neglected often result in blood poisoning. Children are es pecially liable to sucb mishap?, because not so careful. Ass remedy DeWitt's Witch HazelSalye is uiieqtialled.Draws out the fire, stops the pain, soon heals the wound. Beware of counterfeits. Sure cure for piles. "DeWitt's Witch llnzel Salve cured my baby of eczema after two physicians gave her up, writeB James Mock, N. WebBter, Ind. "The sores were so bad she soiled two to live dresseB a day."—Smith Bros. Phaeton For Sale. A llrst-cla&s second-hand phaeton In Rood con dition. lor sale at less than half Its original cost. Time given If desired. BRONSON & CAIIK. Don't Live Together. Constipation and health never go to gether. DeWitt's Little Early ltisers promote easy action of the bowels with out distress. "I have been troubled with oostlveness nine years," says J. 0. Ureen.Deftauw.lnd.,"! have tried maty remedies Iftit Little Early Risers give best result!"—Smith .Bros. down In *T-~ m. DONNELLi, Physician and Surg-ec Proprietor of tne Ryan Drug Store. Dealer in Drugs, Stationery, Etc RYAN IOWA Delaware Coity1JSP STATE BARK Manchester, Iowa. CAPITAL $60,000 OFFICERS WM. C. CAWMSY, CIIA8. J. SEEDS. President. Cashier. U. W llUltll. C. W. KEAGY, Vice President. Ass t. Cashier., DIRECTORS 1 F' ARNOLD. V.. (i. KhNVON. It, W ISDWAUl) ]'. SKE \y UIAD. J. ,-iiiEDS. M. h. WILLISTON, It, W. TIKMLL. -i DUNHAM. S!9l C. W. KEAUY. Interest Paid on Time Deposits. Prompt attention Riven to uli business. Pas senger tickets from aud to all parts oi Eur ope direct to Mancbcuter, for sale. Long Time Mortgage Loans Made, Bought and Sold. SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES For tbe storage of valuable papers, etc. for rent. Banking House DEPOSITS I lk"%! Henry Hutchinson Hutchlntui'i Building. Minchetler. Ion. CAPITAL, $70,000 JOSEPH HUTCHINSON, Ouhier. ,, COLLECTIONS FiorapUy SCadl on Time, Interest lowod and otter deposits received, DRAFTS sold on Now York, Chi ana Dubuque also on Great Britain and landftn r.urcppspCities. TICKETS—sold to ana from all Eur l»rtsi via Cunard, or Allon or White Star' ship Uues, Compound Vapor and J' ooo Baths. Baths Most eases a~ by poiaono,.:v retions, wV clog the whee»w of NATURE. Vapor and Shampoo. The name and the symptoms may be different but the cause of disease can us ually be traced to the impenect action oi the millions of pores of the haman body. A bath in accordance with scientific require ments is the best preventative and remedy known. The methods employ ed by me are the scientific ever invented or discovou 'or dispelling disease. Results tell the dtory. GIvo m© atrial. This is the Conant system of baths. A competent lady attendant in charge of the ladios department. Office and bath rooms on Franklin struct, opposite Globe Hotol. 8" S A Q. D. QATCS. Henry Hutchinson Breeder of Thoroughbred ..j Shorthorn Cattle. JOSEPH HUTCHINSON Manchester, Iowa. M. F. I.EKOY Prest. II. A. UltANGEK Cashier 11. A. VON OVEN. Asst. Cashier A. 11. BLAKE, 1st. V. President II.<p></p>First C. HAKBEKI.E, 2nd.<p></p>National 1 Notice of Appointment of Administra tor With the Will Annexed. STATE OK IOWA, V. President, BANK, MANCHESTER. IOWA. CAPITAL. $50,000 General I Banking Business Transaoted. Interest Paid on Time Deposits. SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES FOK RENT. T-1T-IL.1' L. il-.TVI-TB C3 R. B. Robinson, 1 M. F. LeRoy, E. M. Carr, M. Beehler, H. A. Granger. A. H. Blake, II. A. von Oven, H. 0. Haeberle L. L. Hoyt, COSSiESrOlTSElTTS. First National 13ank. Dubuque, Iowa. Central National Bank New York City. Commercial National Bank. Chloaeo. Iila When you want Fine Furnitui AT Fair Price GO TO W er kmeister's AT Earlville. Undertaking Solicite F. WERKMEIF