BEADLE AND OOMPANY, 98 WILLIAM STREET, KEW YOHK. The Western News Co., OMoago, HL titoudlo^M Dime No vein. No. 173-Ucady iflarch 16. THE RED COYOTE OR, 9 Lupah, the Flower of the Prairie. "I am the daughter of the wild Apache race— 'the Flower of the Prairie.'' You have Blalu my husband; the law of the prairie Ib blood for blood, life for life. I give you ten days to live ; at the end of that time, if you are in Sonora, I swear by all the Apache blood within my veins, that a bullet from my riflo shall pierce your heart." / •fr^ 1 ] V- .:■(, \ r-Ssiv DESPARD, THE SPY; OR, THE FALL OF MONTREAL. BY W. J. HAMILTON, Author of the following Dime Novels ■ T ; f, ; ! '-).. . u 80. EAOLE EYE. 89. STAR EYES. 92. THE TWIN SCOUTS. 95. EPIT PETERS. 98. RUTH HARL AND. l()3. BIO FOOT, THE GUIDE. 107. THE PEDDLER SPY. 111. THE SHAWNEE3' FOE. 116. r//J^ SONS OF LIBERTY. m. THE HUNCHBACK. 122. BARDEN, THE RANGER. 12g. 7//^ GULCH MINERS. 137. 77/^ TRAxTOR SPY. . 143. 7'//^ -SW'^JfP SCOUT. 147. ilf^//> 02^ THE MOUNTAIN 1.53. 3f 0//yl H^A' A'^ 7'. 1.57. 77/J? INDIAN A VENOER. 161. 777A' Z^/Ti? RANGERS. 1G4. r//^ GIANT CHIEF. 171. T'^J^ SILENT SLA YER, r> '* NEW YORK: ^ BEADLE AND COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, »8 WILLIAM STREET. ifef^" / ( < : .- ^\ U' ,-.T ■',>. ^14.. . . , ,-< Entered according to Act of Coninrese, in the year 189 , > f BEADLE AND COMPANY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. ■■/: \. ■' ■V ' '. ^. u (No. 172.) V t. 710B00 "7'>jr- . ;•?"?.» » They paused at the summons, and lowering their burden to the pavement, the rattle of steel was heard, while a stern voice demanded : " Who is he would stop us in the pursuit of our business ?" " One who will have an answer," replied the man in the cloak. " I heard a cry. Who is it you are bearing away between you ? By heaven, the cry I heard sounded like the voice of a woman. If it should prove so, then look to your- self, ■'ft-n i'i tb^'^!L./^ £ii rvlttiif.-* ■«»>• ; " Lxcuse me, monsieur. It seems to me, though perhaps I may J)e wrong, in which case you will of course correct me where I err, that you take an unwarrantabl*^ liberty in thus putting yourself in the way of a man engaged in the perform- ance of a vow." " 1 am not the man to interfere without warrant " replied 10 DB8PARD, THB BFT. the gentlcmftn in the cloak. " But, by our Lady of Mercy, you shall show me that this is not a lady you are carrying away. If it be a man, go your ways, in God's name. It is different with a woman. In that case you carry her onward e-!y above my dead body." •• Have your.way then," said the spokesman of the opposing party, in a tone of concentrated passion. " Down with this stubborn knave 1" A rush was made at the single man. It was a day when men put every thing to the arbitration of cold steel, and no people were more forward than the French, to whom fighting was and is a pastime. Yet it is no light thing to meet an at- tack from three swo.dsmen in i,he dark. The gentleman did no such thing. Dodging past them in the darkness, catching their thrusts in his cloak, at tlte risk of an awkward cut r two, he snatched up the prostrate body and dashed out of the dark street into N6tre Dame street again. Here, near tlie comer, a watch-fire gleamed, and three musketeers were on duty. One of them sprung forward and advanced his wea- pon, with the usual challenge : ' • 4;i " A friend, with the cotJntcrsign." ' : - ^ " Advance, friend, and give the countersign.** The gentleman gave the word, and darted up to the Are. " I am pursued, my lads," he said. " Let us give the fel- lows a reception. Here is light enough for our purpose." • 'The men laughed at the coolness' of the speaker, and made ready their weapons as he laid his burden down. Ji>»'» a->^ , At the same moment the pursuers came round the comer. Seeing the watch-fire and the. flgnres of the guard, they felt that discretion was the better part of valor, and turning again, buried themselves in the darkness. The man in the cloak now looked toward the burden he had carried, and l>egan to unwrap the long cloak in which it was swathed. As the last fold came oflT, and the light of the watch-fire fell full upon it, be saw the face of a lady, of all others the bolle and pride of Montreal, Marie D'Arigny. Slie was bound hand and foot, and a gag thmst into her month. With a muttered curse, responded to by the " sacres " and " scelerats " of the guard, tlie gentleman cut the cords and released her. ?. • .*. - if. . •- ; 1 ' , ; , A BTRttB" VliVENTURK. It *' MadeinoiscUo D'Arigny," said he, in the cold, «veu tone he bad used throughout, *' you know thnt I am not dcmonstru- live, and you will believe me when I say that I am glad to be of service to you." " Thanks, Monsieur Despard," replied the lady, iu a low, musical voice. *' You have saved me from an unknown fate, one I tremble to think upon. I shall never forget it, and he whom I love will remember it too." " It is Tor his sake that I care for you," said the man called Despard, for the first time showing a touch of feeling. '' But, this is not the time or place to Hpeak of it. Are you in- jured ?" *' Not in the least, though I wus seized somewhat roughly," replied the lady. " If mademoiselle will excuse me," said the sergeant who was with the guard at the time, '* I must ask her a feT7 ques- tions." ',„:•■.,,• ! f 1 " Certuinly. You only do your duty. I am ready to an- swer," ahe replied. \ . " Thanks. Then, in the first place, how did you find your- self in such a situation ?" " Easily enough. In passing down St. James a little time ago, I was suddenly set upon by three men. I had only time to utter one cry, when I was nearly strangled." " Does mademoiselle infer that there is a man in Montreal ruffianly enough to seize a lady by the throat ?" gasped the iergeant ',M,,i ^ ?.k' uium ^-i^till-^' .m .[ ■ .. , ■■^''' "/ found one," was the reply. i!;^. . .;,:i , " A. Frenchman ; and he knew it was a woman V* " Without doubt. He spoke in a disguised voice, but his French was pure. There is no mistake in it." '• It is a disgrace lo France," said the soldier, drawing him- self up, proudly. " And yet, can such a man disgrace a country like France ? It can not be. If 1 find him, and do not give him my compliments, clothed in steel, may my right hand forget its cunning. Far better is the man known as the Silent Slayer, the Englishman who escaped from prison not long since. If he was an enemy, he was at least a bravo man, and bore a heavenly blade." Maiio D'Arigny blushed. She had a reason for knowing It DE8PARD, THE 8PT. the young prov^incial of wliom be spoke. Despard's grim face relaxed into a smile. ♦' Rut, that is not to the point. Mademoiselle will have the goodness to go on," said the sergeant. .r.-*; »'^ ^'^^ -^ i'» '''' *♦ My hands and feet were tied, and I was lifted from the ground and carried down the street We were soon stopped by Monsieur Despard, who called them to a halt. I faintec then, for I remember nothing up to the time my friend re- moved the cloak from my person." " I can tell you the rest in few words, sergeant. I met them, snatched the lady from them, and ran. The rest you know y4>ur8elf," said Despard. " I will know more yet before tliis time to-morrow night," said the sergeant, •' or my name is not Pierre Soule. They shall find that ruffians can not perform such feats as these un- der the very eyes of the muskeeters of the guard. I, for one, will not endure it. I will see my captain and inform him." " Who is your captain ?" ^. " Captain Jean Lamont." ' .^ -v w ..,•, #::4- " I know him. A worthy soldier, an honorable man. That is the least praise I can give him. I hear he is to be sent to Quebec in a day or two." '^"] ^'^ .u:^f'0;' "So it seems." ,* ftt>qif *f«a ,. ^ ih'h I ,i-f " I shall be sorry lo lose him. We have got so used to seeing his kind face about the barriers, that it does not seem right for him to go." " De Levi needs him. Soldiers must not complain, mon- sieur, especially a soldier of France." " Right, sergeant. But, can you give us a guard lo the residence of Mademoiselle D'Arigny ?" " Certainly. I will go with you myself, if you please." ' • Despard gave Marie his arm, and the two walked away to- ward the cathedral, with the sergeant marching stifily in the rear. It was a short walk to the house, which stood in the midst of noble grounds, and was itself a well-built mansion, for tlie time. " Will you walk in, Monsieur Despard ? I have sometliing to say to you." " With pleasure." " Before you go, Scrgeaat Soule," said the lady, " take this, A DISABLED COMRADE. ^t not as payment for your services, which can not be paid with money, but to drink my health at the Fleur d'* Lis." ** The soldiers of France have always money enough to buy a flagon of wine to empty in honor of a lady of quality," said the soldier. " I can not take money for such a purpose. But, if you care to give it to me for a disabled comrade, who lucks some little luxuries he might have for money, I shall be well pleased." r.-f:!^'! m -^ui f^rt"- Marie added two more broad golden pieces to those already in her hand, and gave him the five. He looked pleased. " Where is your comrade ?" she asked. , , , .., "In the hospital, mademoiselle." " I knew nothing of il.^ "Will you give Rie hi3 name T I will see him to-morrow." ' ; ?* :? t • .,,m J . J... " Fou, mademoiselle ?" .v^»... . t, *' Why not ? I see many sick soldiers. You have not given me his name." ,.:„.* t _ ^^ ,^,| vivW ^i«f'' '^mm^ " It is Jules Danton. If you would see him, it might cheer the boy's heart. He is a young fellow, mademoiselle — a boy to me, but I love him. To a rough old soldier such as I am, mademoiselle, such a love seems necessary. Perhaps you would not think so. Nevef theless, it is true ; and I loye this child." •' T > '^ *^ ■ *» " Then you have my promise : I will see him to-morrow." , r " You have my thanks, mademoiselle. I will never forged It. Gooa-night. -j/jni; vm t»i nm •ni;r'> IfK' .^^ rw As his retiring footsteps were heard, they turned into the house. Marie had a pass-key, with which she entered, and led the way herself to a small parlor, in which a fire was burning cheerily. " This is my sanctum," she said, pointing to a book-case. ** Here, with my guitar, my harp, and my books, I pass my happiest hours." a^t. *;. .^ ft , A few words of explanation seem necessary at this point. Marie had lost a brother not long before, who was killed on an island in Lake Champluin, by a trusted friend, Mariot Dujardin. His crime was then known to Marie, Despard, and Captain Lamont, Wilton, known as the Silent Slayer, the In- dian called the Giant Chief, and an Irish friend of Wilton's. Not one of these dared expose his crime, for the reason that 14 DESPARD, THIt SPY. otliers would be compromised bj ^uch an act, wTiom it was important to sldcld. So it was concluded to let Iiim run bis fall course of crime, and he wa? even now in Montreal, seek- ing in every way to gain the hand of Marie, the prize for which he liad reddened his hand with the blood of her bro- tlieh He hated Wilton because he was beloved by Marie, but the young American had escaped nom his hands. •' You are not always unhappy, as I am," said Despard, answering the last remark of Marie. " You do not sit, as I do, through the sad night, beside a desolate hearth, upon which the aslies lie, cold as the hopes of my sad heart." • ^ " She looked at him in surprise. She bad alwajrs rcgarlded him as a man devoid of feeling, save his hatred of France. For, though he lived among the French, and had been reared by a French family, he was in reality an Englishman, and hated the French with a fervor which was something won- derful. For years he had remained in Montreal, giving the English spies accurate information respectlLg the plans of the French, which information was of great importance to tho former in carrying on tiieir campaigns against the latter. • •• " You speak sadly," she said, noting that his hair was turn- ing gray, althou^ he could not have been more than thirty- five years of age. " I wish I could say something which would make you less so." *' You can do nothing," he answered. " Mine is an abiding sorrow, which will carry me to my grave long before the time allotted to man. 1 feel that I can not endure this nightly agony for many years. It was that which drove me out into the street to-night, for there I can best keep down the tumult which is going on in my heart. It is a terrible thing to sit alone forever, as I must do. A curse upon Prance! I hate the country ; I hate its laws." " Why, what evil has she done you ?" '^'" " ^ " Such a wrong as I can not name," said he. " Such a wrong as turns a heart naturally gay to bitterness. One day I may tell jrou all. But, do not speak of it now. When Wilton Comes, I promise to tell my story, and leave you to judge whether I have any cause to love Prance. When did you last hear from Wilton f * •* Prom Tlcondcrogft." ■ » ,- r; THE TOKEN. ,.j 19 "Had he been in the garrison ?" ^ y.,„^ .; ,v,, ^ ,.^, ., "I fear so." " That young rogue will live to be hung yet," flaid the other, 'With a smile. " He has the most impudent way of going in* to danger of any man I ever saw. Witness liun here, hail- fellow-well-met with Lamont and Dujardin, and the iiq)hew of the Governor, drinking and fencing with them, as perfect a Frenchman as you could wisii to see. I am a good French- man myself, but I take no merit in it, for I was brought up among them. He has picked up all he knows of French by himself." " I have written to him to beware of thrusting himself " ito danger, but he is too venturesome for his own good. He says that he has his duties to perform, and he will do them bravely. I know him well enough to be sure of that. He has a noble heart. '9'--jii ^rA^ti^ -ffi-.t^t, >-.» ^.t :\~.*a A.jliLr..». •»-., ^^ " You are right. Of all men on earth, he is chief of the few that I can love and trust. Ko Frenchman can be niy friend, because I hate the very name of France. Did you know that the English troops are coming down upon the island V" "Is it true?" ** Yes. Wilton has sent me a token whicli only we can read. It was left at a hollow ^ee upon the bank of the river, near the rapid 8.".-rrN^ ^, «j^ ^?y inav^ ji,/v>fcJTjlt?ai* '^* ;V:^> " A half-breed, in tlie pay of the Eugliaii, who has a cabin on the upper Chftmplain. This is the sign. You can not, of course, solve the riddle." He took three small sticks from his bosom, and spread them out upon the table which stood at his elbow. They were colored red, white, and blue. "I will explain to you," he said, with a smile, "because I know you have been won over to the English side. These sticks mean the different Englifth leaders. The green, the one in advance, signifies the Hangers of Seely and Putnam, to the first ©f wliojm Wilton js attacl>ed. They take the post of lUinger, from choice. The leaders of the English regular troops are growing wiser in their generation, and will admjit that the provincials have good stuff in Ihem.V ii DKfiPARD, TUB CiFT. *♦ They ought, if they are like my ' , ilton. How brave he Is, " said Marie, with a look of pride. " He Is the best swordsman I ever saw in my life, and I have passed it in ». nation who live by the sword. Don't get me to talking about him, or I shall not know when to stop. The boy has bewitched me, I think." " Perhaps that is the trouble with me," said the girl, naivel>. ^ •' N «-> ^- 'f- He smiled, and laid out the next stick, the white. X*^ «n^ ' " This is Haviland ; they expect much of him. The red stick is the best That shows that the whole force of British rt'gulars are at hand, under Lords Rolla and Amherst. These fiticks, when I found them, were placed in such a way as to show me the probable line of march pursued by the Eng- lish." " Why could he not write this in so many words ?" " Do you not see ? A letter, even though no names were used, would put the French on iheir guard, and enable them to lay plans to defeat the English, if the letter fell into theif hands by any chance. Suppose they found these sticks : they are nothing without the clue, which we only hold." " I see that you are right and I wrong. I should make a very poor scout." " Spy, the French call it ; but it makes no difference : if caught, a long rope, a tavern sign for a gallows, a short shrift, and up goes the man who has done more to injure France than half the armies of Britain. Ha ! ha I ha 1" '"*■ * ^-' • > tf^\f * f ». -mfi *j ' »■ r ... CHAPTER II, . . ''^^' A major's wooing. t. The hollow laugh, half insane in its intense bittemesa, startled Marie. She approached him, and kneeling by his side, laid her hand upon his arm. As he felt the touch, a tear stole into his eye, as he saw tl e tender sympathy expressed in that upturned face. « > ^* -u A RAP AT ins DOOR. , 17 " You feel for me," he cried. " Ah, what is it to feel Again :» woman's sympathy and woman's care ! I have lived so long alone, since the blow which made me desolate, that I had almost forgotten what it is to feel that care. I thanks you. Whatever my fate, this will be remembered, even in a dying hour." " You are Wilton's friend,'* she said. " Once before this, you have aided in my escape from the hands of a bad man. I can not thank you enough. But, if a maiden's prayers can avail aught, then you have mine forever." " Then you suspect some one ?" *"' ' • " Certainly. Who is there in Montreal so base that he would dare to seize me in that way, except Mariot Dujardin," she replied. § -» " It would have been better for us all if we had suffered Wilton to finish him that night by the river when they fought. Much sorrow would have been saved. He is an able and de- termined villain, but he has tied our hands. To betray him is to betray a dozen others, good men and true, who do not love France. I fear the subtle knave suspects that, for some re&son, we dare not assail him. He acts like it." •* I met him in the street this morning, and his evil smile made me afraid. He never spoke a word, but he laid his hand upon his heart, and bowed low to me in mockery. He—." At this moment came a rap at the doer. Marie looked up in surprise. Who could have occasion to visit her at that hour? She went to the parlor window, from whence to look out upon the veranda. But one man was there, and him she decided to admit. Making a motion to Despard to go into a small room to the right of the fireplace, she opened the door and admitted the man who stood there — a dark-faced, hand- some fellow, in the uniform, of a major in the Canadian troops. 4 "Mariot Dujardin f she cried, starting back. "What brings you here ?" " My inclinations, my charming mademoiselle. It has been 80 long since I haVe had the pleasure of speaking with you face to face. Excuse me for the intrusion." While speaking, he bud laid his plumed chapeau upon the 1^ JV8FA11D, TI1£ BTT. hall Ublc, and walked mio ih9 iUtle pi^rlojr wUbout waiting lor an invitation. - *• '• Oenilemen, when visiting a lady, usually wait until ihey arc atked to stay before they remove their hats/' said Marie, who hated the major cordially. " Upon my honor, sir, you presume too much." m.. " By no means, my too-charming relative ; ma belle cou- sino, you are wrong. It is no more than fair that a man who has been unavoidably separated from one he loves for a long period, should waive ceremony wiied.ftt Imi Ibey are brought together." - ' *— " I must be excused if I do not see the occasion for Gap- tain Dujardiu's visit," said the girl, " when I hav« forbidden his entrance to the house." Jxiiui^i yanfess, that night, thftt U was you who killed my brother ?" '^ ** Yes ; I grant I did," he said, coolly. : j\'"< . f i ;'-;.-..»» " Then why are you here ? You can not hope that my heart will ever relent toward you. No, Mariot Dujardin ; if I had a dagger in my hand now, I think I should have the i heart to strike you dead. Beware of me!" ;^j. " You are a greater spitfire than ever ; but I <»re not." " Say you so ? Leave me, then. The air you infect with your breath is odious to me. Your hateful face makes me shudder as I think that, with that face, covering to a tiger heart, rou stabbed one to the death who had trusted you as a friend." Alt UNXNTITED GT7BGT. Ii *• Why (lid llio Ibol defy mc ? Why did he say to mo that I should never marry you ? It was his own fault." " You lire speaking of my brother, the man you killetl," she said, her eyes in a blaze of passion. " A fool go with his soul, go where it will," said Dujardin. " Why did he force me to do it ? The blade was in my hand before I knew it Let him alone; he only got his "Leave tkis hoUso, wlilch yoU have made so desolate, an^ never again pollute it with your tivad. I hate 3'ou, as I do any snake that crawls and iiisscs. Do not speak to me again." ** I am not good-natured enough to agree to that. Do ask any thing in reason, Marie, and it shall be granted. Sit down here by me."r »irlr ink" • iii; "1 He had taken a scat upbn a small sofa, and lefl room for her by his side, tr u . oi )sw n < i. . , " Leave the house P irfie criecf. " Bah ! Do not make me think you have so poor an opin- ion of my good sense. I came to talk with you. Stand, if you prefer, but answer my questions. When are we to be married ?" .'♦♦« Fool, as well as villain, never /" *> *ne cares little for them, and you have lavished them liberally on me. At the same time, that is not an answer to my question." " Let this be your answer : When truth and honor are for- gotten on the face of the earth — when the sun will not shine nor the moon give her light — when treason is honorable and muixler a virtuous act — and when there is no longer steel, bullet or cord to end your hateful life, then I will be your wife." '^ ' »< Mri W^^/r7^f^ viii" Strong — smells of sulphur. When — and so forth. I won't go over that string of affected nonsense. Imagine all you have supposed has come to pass, and get ready to be my wife ; for I swear to you that, by fair means or foul — and I am not at all particular which — you shall be mine. Twice I have attempted to get possession of your person. As many times, thanks to the devil, I have IWilcO. On the third trial to DKfiPARD, THB 81' , I shall succeed ; so look to it. I ask you to yield graceftilly, while you can." *' I nerer will yield, Mariot Dujardin," she replied. " I will perish by my own hand before I will be more to you than I nm." -^ .'"^ -"' f »i*iw • " You will be my wife, nevertheless." vioi rfii bib viiV/" ' " I am betrothed -to a man who is as much above you as heaven is above earth — to a man who is a soldier, loyal to his country, to God, and to his love. There is sometliing grand in loving and being loved by such a man. I feel ennobled every hour as I think of him. And then, how small, hr)W pitiful, how mean you look, compared with him I Jbw, the», are the man who insulted me to-night ?' "You were seized by my orders." ^ ^u.^,:,'% „; »r.-.if v. r " You are bold to come here and say this to roe. Why should I not inform against you ?" -f*^ ft #!t>iJj^l !»<«ii J*H " To say the truth, I can not tell. It is sufBcient for me that you dare not do it. Whatever the reason, you do not mean to bring my confessions against me. I imagine that your reasons are, that your witnesses are men who have done a traitorous act which the Governor would punish. I know I am safe." Despard was right when he called him an able and subtle villain. The spy, in his concealment, ground his teeth in a rage. He saw that it was impossible to make any accusation lie against this man. To do it, the only witness would bo Captain Lament, himself, and Marie. But, they had heard the confession while in the act of rescuing Wilton from prison. Despard shrugged his shoulders and kept quiet. " Suppose you are right ; suppose that we have reasons for not bringing you to the felon's dock," added Marie. " At least I can appear against you for this last infamous and criminal act." *♦ Your witness, my dear girl. I confess to you, in confi- dence, that I did attempt to abduct you to-night : that I was on the ground in person, and superintended the work. It was a good plot, and would have succeeded if some son of darkness had not coma in and snatched you from me. I re- peal, I tell you i&coufidenoe that I did it. But, when I come to eourC, I vUl swear that you are wickedly deceived, and that A STARTLING IMTERRUmON. II I ueVer dreamed of such an net. You have no witness ; and 80 " A mistake on your part, Major Dujardin," a calm voice interrupted. Dujurdin turned in a fury, grasping his sword by the hilt, and met the calm, bold eyes of Despard, who stood in the doorway of the little room, looking at him with an air of mild superiority. " Villain I" roared the major, " how came you here ?" , "I came in at the door, nijijr)r. An invited guest, by the way. I see you do not wait tVir snch little formalities as an invitation. Buh 1 What does it matter ? Impudence is better than politeness where sucli men as you find grace." " You had better look to yourself, sir. Who made you a spy upon my actions?" / . "No one. You forced yourself in against the wishes of the lady, and spoke in a key loud enough to be heakd in tlie street. You have this night confessed enougli to hang you. I think you had better leave tlie house." " I do not intend to be bullied by you, sir," said Dujardin, beginning to bluster. ** 1 do not seek to bully you. I give you a small piece of advice; it is for you to judge whether it is good or not. I think it is for your own good to go away now. Not only did I overhear the little confession you made to Mademoiselle D'Arigny even now, but I was the fortunate individual to res- cue her from your hands this evening. I will swear to your voice, though disguised." " You shall repent this act," roared Dujardin. . -ii "Go!" • «i Despard spoke with a voice which was unmistakable, /yt " Did I understand you V" said Dujardin. ,/^ " Go I" repeated Despard. t,/ " You have made an enemy to-night who will not forget you, Despard. I have had my doubts of you for a long time, and now I am sure I am right. Look to it. No man ever wronged Mariot Digardin yet who did not suflPer for it." " You have a ready hand upon a dagger-hilt," said Despard. " Of that I am aware. You heard what I said, and force me lo flay it for the third time : Qo .'" ,. .. DrSPARD, TIfR §P*. ■■> .j« Dajardin left the room slowly, his eyes fVilI of hate. Dtes* pard watclio There was a muttering among the villains assembled about the door. They did net like the posture of affairs. This man showed too determined a front. If he had yielded to their escort, he would have gone out, never more to look upon the light of day. They would have killed him, and left bis body in the street. But, the keen-witted man read them &&- sily, and he knew that they would never call the guard, as such a course must lead to the inquiry as to what tiie major was doing in the street at that late hour. ;.^ " I ask you onoe more to give yourself up ia me," said the iTijor. *' And I once more refuse." " Then I shall be forced to lay my claim before the Qjver- nor and council." " Do so ; I shall be charmed. My worthy major, you have not caught the fox." The baffled villains retreated. Despard opened the door and peered out afler them. There was no mistiULe about it. They yfere gone. TUB TWO f1>^t8in)(liL 8T ')•".. >*■ •■■" •' t »•,-•, ,: ,.., ...f J. .(. ., J i . • ! • ■?..u<. T CHAPTER WILTON. III. ^ " Thb plot thickens " suk! Dcspard, closing and barring the door and dropping upon n sioo\ near the fire. " Tl»at rillain will complicate all from this hour. My curse upon him ! Why should he enter the fight bef(»re his time ?" " Andrew " said the deformed one, who had crouched at the side of the fire, close to the feet of the other, " the work is before us ; shall we not do it ? All the devotion of my life is yours. If by doing it I could be of service to you, how gladly would I lay down this wastfjd being. But, I believe that even I, cramped and deformed though I am, can still be a sad sort of comfort to you.'* '• In more ways than one, my poor Conrad. You stir me up io the work I have to do ; and if sometimes I grow weary on the road, and stop to look at houh>ehold hearths on which the fires are glowing, such a hearth as was to be mine, a look at your face quickly makes me forget all but vengeance." -' ** True lieart and bold ! Blear up and be strong, even for her sake, who has pasted into the valley of the shadow,** said Cotradl " For her sake ! Ah, now you have named her, I am a man again, ready to do a man's work in the cause I have under- taken. I need not fear this man. He ifi a villain, and an acute one. We shall be more than his match, my Conrad." « He shall see." ** How the knaves stared, when you laid their lives open before them 1 They little know Andrew Despard. No wonder they were appalled, for how could you, of all men, get this knowledge by fair means? It is a goodt^lan to keep up the idea of sorcery on your part. It will be a protection to you." " It has been, before now. There are few men harfly enough to lay the weight of a finger on me In anger. They ^ ha, ha ! They think my corses will come home to .- *^ *M« day or another. I lt)eHeve it too. Who of all men S8 DBtlPABD, THE BPT. who have incurred our hatred, did not some day have cause to feel that we have power, such as few men have ? Let them beware of Conrad ! He will make their lives bitter to them." " The work is before us, Conrad. It is a hard labor. The French begin to suspect me, and but that I know the nets of the English are drawing close about this doomed city, I should fear to remain here longer. The Governor's private Secretary looked closely at me, and whispered to the Governor when they passed me yesterday. I begin to fear that some one of those who have been so long in our power are kick- ing over the traces. If the worst comes, Andrew Despard must go, and another take his place." The man at his feet smiled. He alone knew the wonder- ful resources of this spy, and how he had power to change his looks so completely that the very mother who bore him would not have known her son. /^ " The trouble is with you, Conrud. You can not change, and if I go away, you may suffer ins . and abuse. I fear , " I do not They dare not touch me. Go about your •!Work, and trust to me to take care of myself. I can do it. -You have not sufficient confidence in me, Andrew. Hemem- ber that I loved her, too, as such a being can love any one good and beautiful v ho was kind to him. Sometimes, in my sad nights, I think of her as I knew her, with her brown hair dropping about her face. Her voice was soil and low, and when she touched me, 7 felt that even I had something to live for." " Silence, Conrad," gasped Despard. "Is it not enough that I have lost her, but I must be made to feel it every hour by you ? My burden is hard enough to bear, heaven knows, r'Without any thing more being added to it. Ko, Conrad, I am wrong. I see by your face that I have said too much. But, you know how to bear with a heart so wrung as mine has been this many a weary year." " Do I not, Andrew ? Nothing you can say will move me to any'thing but sorrow. We bear this grief together," . " Thank you. But I must go, Conrad. I have work to do to-morrow which Andrew Despard could not appear in. I think he bad better keep quiet for a day or two.'* A LATE VI8ITOR. 80 j^ap — rap — rap 1 Despard paused and listened. The rap- ping was repeated. One rap, then an interval, and two quick raps following, immediately followed by two rasping scratches at the door. " Ha 1 Do you hear that, Conrad ? As I hope to be saved, it is Wilton I" He darted to the door and opened it. A slight young man, dressed in the garb of a French hunter, entered the room, and Despard dropped the bar behind him. •' You here, Wilton ? You will dare more than any man I know. Do ycfu not understand that your life is doubly for- feited now, Bince your escape ?" " I know it, my good Despard. But, what can you ask ? One can not always control liis motions ; and, by the hopes of my life, I would have come to Montreal to-day though Satan himself stood at the gate. Good Conrad, how do you feel tonight ?" *' I am very well," said Conrad. " I hope you are the same." " Never better, Conrad. I should not have come to Mon- treal except I were in good trim. How goes the world with you ? And, Despard, how is Marie ?" It was Wilton, the Yankee lover of Marie D'Arigny, who had entered the city at the peril of his life. On a previous occasion he had been captured by the treachery of Mariot Dujardin, but had escaped. If he fell into the hands of the French now, there was no hope for him. He knew this well, and took his chances, as a brave man might. ' Despard received him warmly. The gallant young Ameri- can had touched his hardening heart. Wilton was literally fearless, and plunged into danger as some men go into a revel. There whs something wonaerfuUy attractive in his bold, open face, as he held Despard by both hands. " Marie," replied Despard. " She is well. I saw her to- night, and again Siiatched her fh)m the clutches of that double-dyed villain, Mariot Dujardin." " Do you tell me that ?" cried the young man. "Then I have to thank you for a new favor, Despard. Upon my soul it vexes me to the heart because I let that villain go alive when I had him down." It DBSPARD, THB APT. " I have often said U. But why are you here ?" " Why ? Can you ask me i\\e question ? I came in part to do n^ •- Despard gave the word. ** The word is correct, gentlemen ; but, doubtless, you htive ^ not heard the late order of the Governor. No man shall "^ traveree the streets after the hour of ten in the evening witli- out a pass from some person in authority." ** That is something nev/, it would seem," said Despard, seeking to gain time. ** The word ought to be eooiigh." " Perhaps. But you must bear it in mind that I am not here to give orders, but to obey them. TiicrefoFe, measieurs, you will consider yourselves detained, and come with me to the officer of the guard." " Who is he ?'» ♦♦ Captain Dfljardin." " The devil," muttered Wilton. " What must we do, An- drew r Despard admonished him to be silent by a touch upon the sliould^. ** My lad,** ho said, addressing the soldier, " we have no: pass, except our names. If you will come nearer, il will A BLOW tJNDEB TBS BAR. Wi fanpact them, when I think yott will allbw us to pan. If not, we are willing to go with you." Of coone nothing was so foreign from tlie intentioiM of the two men as to go into the presence of Dujardin. The soldier Inclined hi» head to hear the name, and Despard bent forward to give it. There was a dull sound, as of an ax fhlllng on a wet log, and the soldier dropped to the earthy stanned by a tremendous blow under tbe ear. Without waiting to see the effect of the blow, Despard seized the band of Wilton, sprung over the fiUlen man, and disappeared from sight. The soldier rose slowly to a sitting postvre a moment after, nibbing, with a thoughtful air, a huge lump which was rising behind' the ktt ear. He made no attempt to rise or malce an* alarm, for be was & prudent person, and saw no reason why he should bring hds: sagacity hito question by betraying the ihct that he had been so orevreaolied. So he rose to his feet, pondering slowly upon the probable force of the blow which laid him in the dost, Meanwhile the two men hurried forward through the street After going several blocks they paused to listen for pursuing feet, but heard none, and settled down inta a wift walk. ^'' A. good blow that, Andrew," snid tlie young American. " By my soul, I had no intention of attending a lev^ held by tiiat excellent person in office^ Mariot Dujardin.'* *^ Not L That soldier must be gathering himself np by this time. How he must have been astonished. I strike a heavy blow." " I should tliinfe so. Where do we go now f * " You wiA to see Marie, I suppose V* /* By fliU means. How C£hi it l)e done?" " Readily enough. Enter here with me.'*^ He opened a small gate next to the residenc-e of Marie D'Arigny, and signed to his companion to enter. " You have made a mistake," the young American said ; ^ this is m>t the house." " No words. I know what I am doing. Pass in," replied^ Despard, almost sternly. Wilton had known him too long to say a word more. He passed in. The house before whieh they stood was a stone buildii^ of mediu.a 8ize> with tasteftil grounds about it; which* 88 .!( DBSPATID, THE BPT. seemed !o be rather neglected just at present To bis nut" prise, Despard went to.llie door, and producing a pass-key from the folds of his coat, opened the door and entered the hall. As they did so a door swung wide on tlie left of the hall, and an old woman came out. She looked surprised, and was about to say something, when Despard checked her by a movement of his hand. . ^^h " Where is your master, Annette ?" he said. J ** He is in the house," she replied, with a smile. i^ ** I will go to him," he said. *' Show this gentleman into the parlor and have a fire lighted. Excuse me for a moment, Wilton." He ran up the stairs which led from the hall to the rooms above. Wilton followed Annette into the parlor, which was plainly bnt neatly furnished. She rung a bell, and a negro appeared, who soon kindled a fire, for all the materials were in the grate. This done, the two servants left him, and he took a seat before the blazing wood, looking dreamily into it As he sat there, he was not aware that he was not alone, but the door had opened noiselessly, and a stranger had come into the room. It was an old man, with hair white as snow, and a beard which dropped upon his breast, and who supported his steps by the aid of a stoi^t cane, the body of which was painted to resemble the rattlesnake, whUe the head and neck was thrown into a coil The rattle, which was of iron, was also quaiiitly carved into the resemblance of a real rattle. The robe, which was thrown loosely over the person, and gathered at the waist by a girdle, was of some soft, white cloth. His feet were shod with sandals, which accounted for the noiseless manner in which he had entered the room. The young man looked up in surprise, and sprung to bis feet But the other made a gesture which disarmed him of all fear. » - " Must I introduce myself?" asked Wilton. " I already know that you are Wilton, better known as the Silent Slayer, a spy of the English." "Then Despard has betra} d me I" said the young man, jocosely. " He has. But need you lose faith in him !P Has he not been true to the £ngli^,h all these years ?" said the old man. HOT-HBADSD. 88 " True as steel. If he has told you who I am it is for some good end. Tell me who you are." " I am one who is, and who is not — a phantom, a shadow — now here, now there. It is easier to trace the course of a comet than mine. It would do you no good if I told you, yet, since you must haye a name to address me by, call me Anselmo." ** Monsieur—" began the young man. " I said not that. Address me in English. I can speak it well, and this French hangs heavy on my tongue. I am no Frenchman. If I loye any man, I love Despard. He wislies you treated kindly, and it shall be done." " More than this. I wish to see Marie D'Arigny." " My fair neighbor. Very well. We will see what can be done. I b<'ve some faith in my ability to bring the maiden here. A good and true maid, I believe." " Let me see the man who dare say otherwise," said Wil- ton, fiercely, " and he shall cross swords with mo." " Tut, tut. You are marvelously hot-headed, my dear sir. Nobody shall challenge the purity of your lady. You shall see her, if it is in my power. But, you must be hungry after your tramp from Chanibly. Let us see if we can do any thingkfor you." He rung a bell and a negro appeared, bearing & tray con- taining venison steaks, some fine wheat bread, and a fiask of wine,. with glasses. These he set before Wilton, on a little table, and immediately withdrew. *' Make no ceremony," said the old man, " and have no fear of Anselmo. He has nothing but kindness for you in his heart." " Thanks," said Wilton. " You shall find that I will pun- ish you( food dreadfully. I am rather sharp-set after my tramp from the Chambly." " Did you see any Indians by the way ?" " I passed within sight of several camp-fires, but I only saw one Indian, whom I know. I stepped into the bushes, to let him pass. It was Wenona, the Giant Chief of St. Regis." " Listen to me, young sir. There is no nobler heart than that which beats in the broad bosom of Wenona, in all this 84 DBtPARD, Tim 8PT. fair lanfl. He has in liitn a lofty courage, a generoira spirit toward a weak enemy, and a hatred of wrong worthy the Knights of the Round Table." " I can well believe it," said Wilton. *• His strong arm rent my prison-bars, and set me at lll)erty, when I was in fear of my life, and should perhaps hare lost it hot for his help. He stood by my side one niglit when we rescued Marie fVom the hands of ruffians who had seized her. He conducted me to the shore of the lake, through ^ .nds of hostile savages. A shout from him would have brought down np-" I never was so happy. Annette came to my window just how and gave me a uote from her master. It had only these words : * Wilton is here. Come to my house. Anselmo.' You see I did not hesitate." '• Who is Ansel mo ?" ** A strange recluse. It is very seldom he is seen about the house. The servants will not speak about him. An- nette, who often comes to sit with ray housekeeper, tells her nothing. But he Is a tr'ierA to me. Who brought you here r " Despard." •• Where is he ?" ' «* I oan not tell. He went up-stalrs and sent Anselmo to me, and I have not seen him since. Anselmo said that he was making preparations for securing an interview with you. "He is a strange man. Wonderfully reticent in his manner, brave as a lion, and full of subtle plots and con- trivances. But for him, I should now be in the hands of Mariot Dujardin." " I shall yet be even with that guilty Tirrclch," said Wilton. " My curse upon him ; can he not let you rest now ? Is It not enough that he laid your brother in the grave and that we have not the power to punish him, but he must intrude upon you, and seek by cYcry despicable means to compass his designs ?" " He is Indeed a villain. I gave lilm that distinction long ago and he may keep It. I have no fear of him when yon are by. I can not always be exposed to him." ^ " Nor can I be with you always, though it is my hope to remain beside you now. until my friends break through the A TALB. W barriers of 3Ioiitreal and make tlio city theirs. In that good time, my sweet one, I slinll make you mine, and place ft out of llio power of Dnjardiu to take you from me. Siiaii tins be •o ?" . 81ie hid her face upon his shoulder with 'a happy blush. A voice said : " God bless you both, my children." They looked up. Anselmo had entered the room, and stood with hands uplifted, as if \i\ benediction. Both bowed their knees before him. He laid a hand upon each young head and repci«ted his blessing. , " My children," he said, ** you have sought to know the story of Despard. ** You would know why l>e, wlio is yet young, is a recluse and hermit, except so far as he must ^t Ta companionship with men to work his designs againsd'^the French, wliom he hates with a deadly and enduring liatml. Your wish sliall l)e granted. I am commissioned to tell itlio tale to you, two of the few upon this earth wliom Despard loves. And why does he love you ? Because you are of the few who trust in him and whom he trusts, and who do not be- tray his confidence. ... .> . ** Before I l)egin the tale sit down by me. Not on the same side. If you do that, I fear you will not give proper atten- tion to the story — a sad one in ray eyes. Perhaps I think 80, because this man Despard and I have slept in the same blanket and under the same roof for many years." The young couple sat down, one on each side of him, and drew up to tlie fire, which shone upon the venerable &ce of the old man. Marie noted what a strong face it was. How clear-cut the outlines, and what a fire yet showed itaelf in his eyes. " Andrew Despard is an Englishman," he began ; " but he was born in France, and reared by French people* This accounts for his control of the French tongue. Wilton's French is only second to liis, as his sword-play is far in ad- vance. Bah ! one, two I and daylight shows through the body of your opponent." " Excuse me," said Wiltod ; " but, how came you to know kny thing about uiy sword-play ?" " Perhaps Despard told me." 171 8 89 VBKPAUDy THK SPT. ** He might, Indeed;' said Wilton ; " pray go on.*' " Firil rifle and close that shutter, Wilton." The young man rose to obey, threw open the window and put out his arm to draw in the shutter. As he did so hit eyes encountered those of a man who was lounging down the street In the early morning. The man gave a start of surprise and quickened his pace. ' Wilton closed the shutter and re- lumed thoughtfully to the fire. He did not half like the man- ner of the fellow. Besides, there was something In his face which seemed familiar. But, if mischief hud been done, he could not hel( It, and bo sat down again to listen to the story. " I told yon that Andrew Dcspard was born in France. The people with whom he lived and by whom he was edu- cated, loved him. His parents were persons of distinction^ exiled from their native country for some political offense, but who had taken much wealth with them to France. The old man with whom he lived, Sim(m St. Onge, was a friend of hia father. The older Dcspard died two years after he came to France and left his wife and child to the care of his old friend. The lady, who had loved her husband dearly, soon fi>llowed him to tlia gravo, and Andrew was left in tlie chateau de St. OngS. ** Ho was a generous youth in those days. His worst enemies would not have denied liim that As he grew up, he became a proficient in the sword-exercise and in every manly art. Few of the youth of Normandy cared to cross weapons with him. Ho went to college, where he distinguished him- self 80 much, that old St. Onge loved him more and more. It wa^ during his vacation that he met his fate. He loved the daughter of a neighboring gentleman. I do not Intend to fol- low the whole course of th«*t love affair. She was beautiful. Ho loved her as only such natures Can love, and she returned his passion. Tl»ey were very happy. The lime of his vaca- tion passed in idle dalliance, in walks and talks under the sheltering groves of Kormandy until he must return to Heidelberg. His term passed and he came back. A ser- pent bad crq)t into the bosom of the St. Onge family. Ho found vague tales to his discredit were being sown broadcast through the section. He traced them to a yoang maa of his ▲ TOAirr AKT> A BLOW. It ^WD ag«, who had couie up to Paris, In a dctnchnient of re- gular troops — an ensign, Just (tvn^ school. His name was Marlot DujanUn." " Mariot !" cried Marie, in a tono of ttnbonisliment. ** The dame. lie was no less a yillaiu at that time than at the present, and these tales he set in circulation — of duels fought at colkgT, of young men killed, of wild orgies in the streets and In the beer-shops, of uwkwunl love-uifuirs and tliu like — had been ably concocted. Ills insldlmiH storici; had found their way to tlie ears of Terese D'Arcy. Bhe hud h gentle, confiding nature ; she had to believe the upptirently i'Well-autlienticatcd reports, and they cut her to the henrt. He saw her droop like a crushed flower. It was for her love that the scoundrel invented these filsehoode. The uffuir came to a head soon. J " It was at a supper, given by the officers of the garrison, at which Andrew was present. After the wine came on, Du- , jardin entered, flushed and excited. He evidently had been Viirinklng deeply, yet his first act was to fill a goblet to the brim 'and drink it to the very dregs. The toasts went round, and at last they came to him." t The eyes of the old man were flashing with a brilliancy which was startling. "Were you present?" asked Wilton. " I was," replied Ansel mo, with an odd kind of smile. " They called on Dujardin for a toast. Bear in mind that Terese had avoided Andrew fur several days, and that he was half-mad with passion. Dujardin rose, and lifllng his brim- ming glass above his head, cried out, ' Attention !' Every one looked at him. * I am about to propose the health of the Flower of Normandy, gentlemen, and I ask you to do her justice in your glasses — my betrothed, Terese D'Arcy P " He needed no more than that. In an instant young Des- pard had leaped across the table and had him by the throat with one hand, while he struck him in the face with the other. *Liar! Iftchel' cried he; ' I will cram the falsehood down your vile throat !' '^ ** The affair marched rapidly after that. Their friends drag- ged them asunder. Neither would hear of any thing else, so the table was cleared away, the seconds chosen and a circta ^ DBSPABD, THB tPT. forme(|. In the center, stripped to the shirj And in silk stock- ings, stood llie two young men. The seconds gave llie word, und they closed. My lieart warms now at tlie thought. " It was an even match for a while, for Despard was angry, and he got a wound in the arm first. That cooled him, and 1/e fought more warily. . In ten minutes the ensign lay upon his back on that ensanguined floor, with a deep wound in liisi breast. * " Of course the villahi made use of that. He claimed to have been set upon when in drink and forced into a combat. Despard could not deny it, and he fpund his reputation grow- ing worse and worse. More and more tales to his discredit ^ot i^bout, even while the fellow was in bed from the el&ct of bis wound. l/Vnen he was up and arouud again they gr^w worse. f " ' - ** At last a murder was committed. A young man who had been loudest in talking against Andrew, and who was thought to be a tool of Dujardin, was found deiid upon the highway, with a sword-thrust through the heart. Close to the body lay a handsomely-mounted pistol, with the name of Andrew Despard engraved upon the silver plate on the butt. " They tried him for the murder, which was done upon ihe verge of the D'Arcy eetate. He could not deny that he was in the woods at the time, for he was there, trying to get a chance to speak with Terese. While there, hq heiard a ay for help, and ran out ; but he could see no one. The pistol* was his. He had lost it from his holster the day before. ** He was sente^nced to be l)eheaded for that crime which he never did. They remanded him to prison to await his execu- tion.' He escaped and took ship for this country. Terese went mad, they said, and died. At least, he never saw her face again." V And who is the deformed man they call Conrad ?'* f' A servant of Terese, one who loved Jier as a faithful dog loves his master or uiistress, and who followed him over the sea to share his fortunes, and be revenged on Mariot Dujardin." " I am sorry to hear this tale," said Marie, softly. " It makes me sad. Tet lie is wrong to hate all France fi^ H Tbis icouiUry wboae Uws coDdemuod blm, uuju»tijr» isttt* dered Terese D'Arcy." V Is Dfispard his real vame?" f " Ko. When you can bring tbat dcttd voiniui to life,lihfli» shall you k»jow bis true name." At this momeat cams a heavy blow upon the door. li ... J. i '« i ■.. CHAPTER V. All started tc/ their feet in surprise. Wlltoo's AfbI act was to' draw the asvord which had stood him in good stead la many a fray, and would uot fiUl him co^. Anselmo's |»Ul eye flawed fire, and he ran to Ihe door, upon wiiich h^M^^y blows were falling. It was evident that the assailants, whoever they might be, did not propose to giv^ them much time. " Who attacks my house ?'* cried the old m^n, angrily* " I will impeacli the justice of tliis province if I do not get full reparation for tliis insult." ^* Op«^ii the doQE, then, you old cnEmudgsc->2,^' hqwJed a fierce voice. " By the life of my body, 1 think yqu no bctlsEr than a sorcerer. And when you daie to give shelter to an English spy Isuneath your roo^ you lose all right to protec- tion.H ft An English spy P' '^. i *^ Yns. We know thi^i you conceal here the young Anie!^ can, known as the Silent Slayer. We want him. if yoa do not open the dooc, we have axes and will force it in.*^ \\ If there is no sudi man here ?V " You lie, old man," cried a slirill voice. '* | saw hij|^ ait the window.'* *^ Suppose there are none but women in the house t ^f neighi)Qr, Mademoiselle JyAxlffay^ is kere, as|4 my 8ervant«,H replied Anselmo. V. It makes no diff(3scacfi»" sepUed the &rsl spcBl^es, who was §1 •* XnCSFABD, THB IPT. 4. D(]|Jardiii. " We will make the search. My sergeant, Lang- lier, swears he saw this fellow at the window." While they were parleying, Anselnio had pulled a bell and Annette came hurr}'ing in. ** Take Monsieur Wilton to the place you know of," he said. " Leave him there and return to your room. When all is safe, ring the bell." All this was done in a moment, but Captain Dujardin wns getting impatient nevertheless. " Open the door, I charge you. Once before this night I dared not break in because I had no warrant. I have one now. Axes T* At this time a bell rung in another part of t)ie house. Anselmo gave a gesture of pleasure. ** If you have a war- rant, monsieur, far be it from me, a loyal subject of France, to refuse to open my doors at any hour. Enter." ^oi He threw open the door with his own hands, and a dozen i&tisketeers of the guard poured into the little hall. ' At the sight of Anselmo, standing before them in his white robe, they felt a sudden thrill of awe, and would have fallen back, .Had not theL* leader spoken. " What is your name ?" " Anselmo Girard." I ** " Your occupation f » *< A student." " Are you loyal tc France f * ** My heart has been proved ia thftt long ilga Has. yours, Mariot Dujardin r " Yott know roe, then V* " There are few things I can not tell you in your past life, if you would have me do it, Mariot. I would take you back to the sheltering groves of Normandy. I would speak to yon in the voice of a woman, long since in the silent grave, whom men called Terese D'Arcy." " Off!" cried Dujardin, clutching at his throat as if in a fit. " Are you man or demon ? What do you know of those iorgdtten days ?" ■ " I know enough and more than enough, Mariot. I could speak of a duel by the mess-table, of the murder on the road, "near the great grove on ike D'Aroy estate. I can say more, If you like." to ''Bilcnce, mpdiiiaD. The air is fiill of soreery to-nJghU TBB MAJOB ASD HIB PACK. |§ Twice already I liaTe been reminded of those who are in their graves, and of events whicli before now have been .covered by Ihe dust of years. Who are you f ' " Seek not to Iiuow;" " But I will know, old dotard," cried Dujnrdin, grasping him suddenly by the throat. *' I will understand how it it you know of events which by right are secret from you." Anselmo shook him off with a quick movement, as if he had been a child, and darting to n bracket in the hall, took down a sword which liung there, and threw himself upon his guard, with the ease and skill of a practiced swordsman. •* Come on," he cried. " You have laid your hand upon my throat. I will teach you that I have not forgotten how to meet an insult, old as I am." But Dujardin's mood had changed. He stood in an attitudo of deep abstraction, gnawing bis lips and tapping his sword- hilt nervously. " Come on," repeated the old man, " unless you are a coward." " Peace, old man," said the captain. "If I chose to notice your talk it would not be well for you." * I fear you not," replied Anselmo. ** Doubtless. Men, to your duty. Search every nook and cianny in this old rookery. Have you placed guards outside, sergeant?" '♦ Yes, sir," said Lauglier, saluting. 1 " Veiy good. Then forward at once. Leave no place un» searched. If he has escaped, I would give my commisi^oii to bring him back. Yon are sure you Saw him ?" " Certain, Monsieur le Capitaine." " How did you know him ?" *' I fought him once. But, I could do nothing with him. He bears a gallant sword, and I could almost forgive his con- quest of me, for having crossed swords with such a man." "I met him too, and I bear him no good will," said Dt\}an!in. " Do your duty ; and bark you, Langiier. He may resist. If he does, remerabes that I shall be quite as well pleased to receive his dead as his living body." " I understand," said Langiier. " It shall go hard if yoa do not receive him dead. Ten Louis ?" ** Tou ahall have them." u 41 ./ ncanJiD, tbb ite. . The meh by this time bad gone forward and were searcliing tbe lioose in every direction. Ansehno, istiU liolding his Bword, Iiad folIdWed tliem. Langlicr left the major stnnding in tlie ball and followed the men. Diijardin, without loolcing St Anselmo, turned info tbe little Iparlor. As be saw Marie »tanc!hig there be came forward, with extended bands. *• My dear 'girt, I am glad to raieet you," be said. '** I bope the time may neVer come wbeii I can say the 9knHi of yoQ, Mariot Dujurdin." •••Still cruel ? I had hoped that you would dbange." . " When .y6q clrange your nature," she said. " You come Irene in putsurt of one I love best of any one bn earth, and ydu expect me to look updnlyOu lilndly.'* " Then he is here ?" be cried, e*agerly. " Else, how did ytra kiiotir o€ whom i am your roming, since I have been ptanding here all the time." • ** Tlieft you haVe lieard *sn that gray-bcaded fool said to 'rife," he stammered. ** No fool, it seems to me. Hie gave yoti a good, history of feat imst mfe." -^ , 'MMy M&; mintr " Yes : your Noi.nandy experiences. It seems to me that I rememb':r something of this. It wais when we were In Paris. My bfotlKf was thfere, yon rfememl)er. When I think of him, it seeins to me it would be ho crime to drive a dagger into your heart. If I remember rigbtly, fit. Julian was very biird upon you for your work ih Normandy." *' Be silent ; I will hear no more." ** I fiever thougiit you so old. That wa« feh years a^o. lyen yeam 1 Quite an age, it seems to me. You must bi ver}' old." "66ine onfe has belieil ^le. Hark 1" There was ^rent confusion in the upper Toorhs, Dujardfe ftwng <^n Ibe doof and hastened up thfe stairs. The noise came from a room to tlie 4eft, the door of which was open. B^ da*t0d in. A Hiig df Isoldters bad formed abotrt the ivalls of the rodm, and tberfe> iJghling 'desperately, %r«jbd Lf^igliei" and Anaelma Tbe old man, in his wiiite tnbe, with oni ibot A OAMX. OiLD- ULAnm ^ slightly adiwnoedi met bi» assailantls fierce riisheft^witba< calm smile of deiiBiou., and parried hia.best tlirusta wjlii jm enfitt and grace wli loll astouished LaQglierf wlio.waa. himself ao adept in the use of the weapon. Just as Di^ardin entered, the old man made a disengage- ment, and ran his adveraary. through the. shoulder. He drop- ped his sword nvith a groan. Two or> three of tlie otlien marted, forward with dr&WA blades^ wlien the voice of the mi^or recalled them. " What is this ? Answer me, Deachappolles^ answer mc» Langlier. I sent you la search for an Engjiah spy., and' I: fijpd you engaged in a personal combat with an 0I4 umo, who, I thahk lieaven> has. worsted you." "He mny be old" growled Laoglier, "< Bo. that aa.itmay, yott could; not stand before his blade." " Nonseosit; that ia not an answer to my queetion* Vfbf i.o I find you squal)bling here ?'* "I said something. to an old woman who waaiii*Uia^room, »p4 he.i"eaeated iL" " He insulted a faithful servant," said Anselmoi *^ aadif'ywi ba(l not/ come I would have carved* him like a capoia« L hate aycb. raecals a$ he is^ who pimp, for some greate^hBflV«. Hi is the man to do murder for hire. You have chosen a«.flM imtrumenty Oaptain Dii^ardia." " Jlf^r^h6r^ag^nft«l tb»,gisat^pofctlion^oC the W ZKESPAIID, THB SFT. " Where have you secreted this spy f demanded Dujnrdin, ta they came again to the first floor. " I desire to know." '* If yonder villaiu has lied to you, how am I to blame V* said Anselmo. . " He has not lied." " Then find the man you want. As for me, I know noth> ing about him. If I knew I would not tell you." ' *' I believe that is false. ' Langlier is not a man to be mis* taken. He says that the man who closed the blind was not \ three feet away, and he had a full view of his face. Upon - my honor I think you are deceiving me." : " Think as you chooBe. I have said all I purpose to say. If you believe me, well. If not, it is not my fault, I am sure. J. will go into the parlor to attend to my guest." Dujardin followed him in. As he did so, his eye fell upon the little table whereon the wine was still standing. He snatched the bottle quickly and looked at the brand. " Maden^oiselle must be a hard drinker if slie helped you ^ to punish this bottle," he said. " Who was your companion OTer your wine ?" " A neighbor, who has been gone an hour. The wine has not been removed. I will call the servant and have it taken away." " Excuse me if I taste your vintage first," said Dt^ardin, seating himself at the table and pouring out a glass of the wine. " Let me fill for ydu, ma belle cousine. Will you give me a sentunent f" *• If you like." f He handed the glass to her with a bow and a smile. Shi took it, and raising it high above her head, gave the toast ; "Captain Dujardin;; (for, as I told you, I will never givi you the title earned by your treachery)— -may he sodn get hit deserts." " I need not ask ^ou what my deserto may be," he said, •millDg. ' " I win ttU you, gratia. A halter, sir : a haltw." Dt^lardia daal^ hlk gliiM ojipn the floor^ and MM; It hi well for pM that tt is bright dayl^ht, mademoltella; ^I WMdd takp jTon ^Imm yon would Mfidi iM cb^Bji^ again, oxoept at my command." ^ UNDBB flVRYKILLANCB. 47 " I do not fear you, by dny or by night," she answered, firmly. *• As for you, ray worthy sir, you, who know so much of my nflfttirs, I will yet find a day to look into yours. For the present I leave you ; but, be it understood, I do not leave you without a guard. Three of my men will remain in the house, and if your worthy friend the spy returns, he does so at hit peril." ' " I will not have your fellows in my house." " I do not see how you will help yourself. As for my men, treat them well and you will be treated in like manner." '* You are considerate. I will see the Governor to-day, and understand if I am to be overrun by his soldiery, because some fool chooses to think he saw a man in my window." " You are at liberty to go to the Governor if you like* The guard you shall have." " They will not stay here long. You shall see whether I have friends." " I care not I bid you good-day, mademoiselle. The time is not far distant when I shall humble your pride as low in the dust as you would have mine. See to it I The hour will come speedily." He went away, leaving the man called Deschappelles und two others in tlie house. Ansclmo gave them a room, but they paraded the house where they chose, at unseasonable hours. Anselmo was ill at ease. Whatever he had done witli Wiliun, he was in the house, and there was no way to get him out till the soldiers were removed. *• What shall we do ?" said Marie. " Where is he ?" * Safe enough for the present," said Anselmo ; " but so safe that there he must remain until these soldiers are gone ; and he is so headstrong that I fear he will try to break out if kept there long." •' Have you a key to the place where he is ?" she asked. " It needs no key." ** Show me the place. I will engage that he will stay there if I hold the clue." . i" You would starve him sooner than let%im out. Toil' can not know the place. I will attend to him and. do mf^ beaU" li dmI*aiu>, trb spy. ** Am I not to see bim again ?" " I can not tell. If there is danger in it, you will see bim no more until the affair is over. A woman ? Bah I A wo- man cetnplicates every thing. I think you would do us well to return to your house and stay there. Let us work this matter out in our own way." She looked at him in surprlge. Tliere was a change in him from what he had been when Wilton first saw him. He was bold and defiant in' his attitude, and he made no uso of bis imposing costume. Site began to doubt him, add to wonder who lie was. The knowledge he had of the past k'istory of Dujardin puzzled hei*. It reminded her of a fam- Hy story, wliicii had been allowed to die away, in which Du- Jardin liad been implicated in some way not complimentary to him. *' I can no go until I know he \i safe," sbe said. " 1 wlii let you know." " Let me stay here." ** Impo^ible. Tliey will suspect Th^ hounds miy be ■pying about us now," he said. " Then I must see him before I go." " You had better not." " I must !" Anaelmo closed the parlor doOr and drew the bolt This done, he approached tiie fireplace, and touching a concealed spring in the wall, slid back a small panel aad showed a dark opening. Putting in bis head, he called in a low tone, and withdrew. In a moment the face of Wilton appeared in the opening'. " Hist," said AnselUio. " Be cautious now. Qo dose to bim: and whisper, mademoiselle." Bm withdrew to a smtlU room which opened into tlie par> lor. The moment he was gone, hands and lips met, and they forgot eyery thing except that they Were lovers. A half hour passed and Anselmo returned. He pushed Wilton back and (dosed the panel, ordering him to perfect silence. *' As for you. mademoiselle, your mission Is ended here. Go back- to yuse, and let events shape themsdreis as IM THB BAKftACKfl. 40 CHAPTEH V. ▲ DANOBROUS GAME. Thb soUUlt wko fmd been left in charge by Major Dajar> cfin was a keen and active villain, a fit instrument of Iiis leader, wL was Iiimself suited to command such men. Des- chuppelles believed that Wilton was concealed fomewhere on . the premises, and that his promotion was certain if he could succeed in cnptuiing him. Few of tlie English scouts had dared to penetrate to the center of the cfty, but this young man, with an audacity truly wonderful, had succeeded in making himself acquainted with the secret places of the town, and in securing for himself un active and efficient aid, in the person of Andrew Despard. Notwithstanding he had been for years working against the interests of France in Montreal, the finger of suspicion never Iiad been pointed at Despard. There were many in the city Mrho knew that he was about at unseemly hours, and in places where h6 had no right to be, but these were persons over whom he had acqtiired some power, which tied their tougUcs com- pletely. Soon after Marie lefl the house, the old niaii aW lefl it, and ordered his servant to get his horse. It was now nearly noon, and the streets were fhll. Deschappelles made no objection to his departure ; indeed, his absence was necessary to a little plan the soldier had marked out for himself. Anselmo rode at ft round pace through the streets, and entered the quarter where Despard lived. In a short time he drew rein at the house. A sharp-looking boy came out of a small tenement across the streeit and led the horse away. Tlie old man, afteii looking cautiously about him, rapf^eil at the door. It was opened at once, and he entered. Shortly after, Andrew Des- pard came out, and walked quickly away. He did not i^^use until be reached the barracks, which were aitnated not far from thie house of Anselmd. He inquired for Major Dnjardin, and his inq^iiiy Was anigwered by the ftppcarance of a smart-took* M TiKMPAJiP, inn BTT. iiig YHlet, who secmeil a Utile Uiscom posed upon Bccing who the visitor was. " Ah, Monsieur Despard ?" he said. ** Tlie Mine, Claude. I hope I see yon in good health. I aslicd for your master, however." *' You can not see liim Just now ; be is engaged." " No matter ; I wiali to see hire." " It is impossible," persisted the servant ** Nptliiug is impoesiblc, my 4ear sir. I beg you will nol make that wcalc-icnccd statement again. Par example : yon would not thiuk I knew any thing of your private history." ** Nothing but good, I should hope, monsieur " said the vulet^ with a sanctimonious nir. ** That is as it may appear. Different men look at such Af- fairs in different lights. There is nobody about who can hear us?" •* Why do you ask r » '* Because I am about to make n statement whk:h it would be better, perhaps, to keep from other ears than yours. My advice is, have no listeners ; but that it us you please." " There is no one near. Wliat do yoti mean ?" '* On the night of the 4th of January you took a walk quite late. On the corner of Ndtre Dame street, above the Fleur de Lis, you met a gentleman of the Hebrew persuasion, and wen& with him. You had a bundle under your arm. The Hebrew gentleman took you to a low shop. You unrolled the bundle and took from it the following articles." He drew a paper from his pocket and read. '* One field glass, worth about two Louis — ** " Mon Ditu /" cried Claude. *' Two swords, one with a silver hilt, worth four Louis," h^ went on. ** Thi$mani$ifiedcvUr " A brace of dueling pistols, elegantly mounted, with tlio name of the owner on the hilt, worth at least four Louis d'or." " JRia torctry and miMng eUe" moaned Claude, in despair. ** A handsome dagger, a Malay creese, a pair of blankets, a piece of handsome ailk for a cloak pattern, and a quantity of miflollaneons property, worth in the aggregate twenty Louis. AM H02IK8T TALIT. (i All tills property yoa sold to your Hebrew ftUmd for six Louia The sword? and field glass brought two more." ** Ah, holy saints 1 I am undone forever 1 I am ruined, stock and block. You have come to impart this to my master ?" " That depends upon youi-self," said Despard. " If you are of service to me, and " And that t" " The question of remuneration." ** Business-like and to the point I like that I have no doubt we shall get on famously together. You shall be well paid if you leave it to me. Ajiother man might not pnf yon at all, having the power over you which I possess, but I like every thing to work harmoniously^' said Despard. " Thanks ; monsieur will find me ready and willing," said Claude, eagerly. " I shall expect it Do n<^ take the trouble to recognize me when we meet at any time, unless I requite it You see the necessity (^ that, I believe." -'' *^ It ahaU be at monsieur wishsM." *^TheB, for the first proof of your obedience, I Wiflh to ••• your master." -^ ^ I wQl take in yournftme." m l^VMFARp, TR9. sn. Qcppftrd tpol( ^ ciit^from l^it pocket and wrote Uieee wonts upon it : *' Doctor Deepfird wUhes to tee and converse with Mnjor DtiJarUiu. It will be fyr the interest of the major to mm Clttudfj disappeared with the card. lie was back directly, and invited, Despurd in. pi^urdin was seated near a small table, and had been writing. . '* Qood-day to you, Monsieur Despard. you are welcome. Be seated, Cluude, we do not need you." Claude withdrew, and Dujardin turned his eyes on the face f f the visitor, who met him by a keen, bold gluncc. ^ach seemed to read thu other's purpose in his eyes. But the lap^e of years had 80 changed Pespurd from the beardless stripling who had li&ugbt with Bi^ardin for the woman both loved, tl^at the villain failed to recognize him. ** You escaped me last night,"' sakl Di\Jardin. '*Itwas a lucky thing for you. As I hope to b« saved—" ** Pp yo^ reallif hope that ?" said Despard. " B^ carefql, sir. I^did ;iot thjnk you would, have Imdt th«f harfUl)ood> tq seek me out, after wiif^t. passed last night." . '*It seems to mie tlmt the game is in my lioodp, siv.' 3nt» I do not come to quarrel vyith yovi, A iViei^d of mine hat been to me with a complaint that a guard has been pUo^d in his house, without reason, by your orderp." [ ' ** yon mean the ql4 student, called AnM°>o?",a9ked.Du- JaFdi%.: ; "y^*V *t I^V^ ^lO'^i Xj V}^9f^^ ^ g^wd there^ and tl^ere. |t. shaU remain vmtil I^ain cfitif^i^d that the ^pglysh spy. i|. i^pt q^> cealed^io tb^ l^ou^e^'V T ' ** You are wrong, monsieur. It will not be well, f^r you JO the guard. remo^Otf." "Ppyottthreateiimeri _ ^i n^d-fi " If you do not remove the guards l^M go i9 thp G|^?(eim>ri. and lay bare before hi«B^|jispj/iM4«!^*iW*9U«rag.e^W^^ " You would not dare do that." • . ., fr the present, yes," replied Despard, "You shall have what you ask; but do not, think I yield through fear of any thing you can do t.o me. If I be- lieved that Wilton was still hidden in the house, you might G^jne ifrto piecea l^fore I.wouid.giTe.an order, withdrawing tfeftgnwrd." >' r ' ¥ itjnt^n no d j ffijg yn p t ^wJhat^nt laotixft ln,.soJ9nsJi^eii ^BAhfiWd^. That iBi]l:l«i,eoougU.rar me.. Y90 tbtoJi/QCt love the girl. Bah I you are foolish. You never loved iimi tLdng so good and puff i^lC|i|^e jMrigojk. -hU6itidMnglAn<» 54 DRSPAAD, TRB SPT. sliull know the blUs of woinaa^s love. But, such a creftturs as this wamuM my heart even now." ** Tou say I do not love her ; the man who says that knows nothhig of my heart." *♦ Did you love Terese D'Arcy?" " Not exactly. It pleased me to break the romantic charm which bound her to that puling fool whom I hate, even now ; but that he escaped his head must have fallen ; I hope he is doad." ** Do you know where iie Is?" asked Despard, his eyes gleam* iiig strangely. ' " I never heard of him again. Where he went, no eno knows. Perhaps he joined the stream of adventurers who came to this country. Certain it is, he never again set foot in Normandy. I think he is tinder the sod or the sea. Wherever he lies, the (lend %ia with his soul and hare it in care." " Then Terese escaped you T ** She was a fool." In an instant, with a mighty bound, Despard was upon the villain and had him by the thfoat. The obuntenance of the spy was distorted by passion, and his dark eyes flamed like newly-kindled fires. Then his fate was sealed, if the sudden fit of choler had not left Despard, as quickly as it came. He had bent tlUe major backward over the chair on which he had been sitting, and the knife was lifted in air, but he paused. Whatever* it might have been that stayed his hand, it is eubtfgh that be did not strike. 1 " " Unsay that word, or you die V ' ' ** Yes; don't strike me. I had no right to talk of her in that way," stammered Dujardin, pale with fear. *• Ray she was good and pure." ? * ** The angnls are not more so." Despard i^leased him and lie rose to his feet The faee of the spy was deadly pale. His fingers clenched UnaA no-' dedidied tliemstlvea as if he lofifg^d agalti fO rvaltt at the ttir^at of the wretch whom he so' hated. Bat ^e f^'StrAiaed hiimsein ^«?rifta«fe It TehNMft po yoa know r ^'1^ dtt •et'telK 8b» weui mad, tinf tstj^. i ^enM wnt THK OllOEB. help it. She fled. Thoy fouDd her mantle by the river-side, and a body was taken from the stream some miles below, and buried in the family tomb. You would not have dared to look upon her face, as she was there. I saw it, and, oh, mon Dieu I it was hordble." ** And you brought her to this ! The good and innocent shall be avenged ! But, no ; your time is not yet Write the order dismissing the guard." "Will you take it?" " Yes ; I will give them their cong6." " It is better so. I am satisfied that tliey will do no good there." Ue sat di>wu and wrote : " On the receipt of this, f^ergeani Deschappelles will return with his command to the barracks^ where they will be put upon duty. It is not thought expedi- ent to retain them iu their present position. '* Signed, Dujabdin, Major of Musketeers." Despard took the paper and folded it up. While doing so, he kept his eyes on the face of Digardin. He was evidently revolving some plot in his teeming brain. " I can not tell where I have seen yon, Monsieur Despard," he said. " It will come to me iu time." ** I will tell you myself in a few days, if you care to know." ^ " I shall be charmed." " I doubt it Let me bid you good-day." Claude was in the way as he passed out A close observer might have seen something pa^ from hand to hand. How« ever that might be, Claude was very drunk at the Flour de Lis that night, and boasted that he had a way of getting plenty more gold pieces when these were gone. But no one could find out where his mine of wealth was. DeE^rd,"* after leaving the barracks, went at once to An- sdmo's. As he neared the door he became consdous of » great confusioU: in the house. Throwing open the door, he broke in. The noise was from the upper part of the building. Drawing his sword, he leaped up the stadrs. Ttie sight whiclv greeted him was one to rouse the tiger in any vtmu. Deschappelles had seized the old servant Annette and attached thumb-screws on each hand, to which one of tfK DK8F3UU>, THE fPT. Ills fellows gave a turn at every nod of the ^ooandrers bead. Just as Despard entered he was crying : . . .- ** Once for all I ask you, where is the spy hidden ? If you finswer, well. If she refuses, twist her thumbs off, boysl" There was no sign' of yielding on that firm old face. De^pard was at the door. A lightning like bound, the flash of a steel blade, and the ringleader lay weltering in his gore, while Despard, standing with one foot upon hia chest, cried : "Who comet next?" No one stirred. There was no man among them hardy enough to fitce the deadly blade he wielded. There was something iii his fierce face that awed them. Botjii meil shrunk back, and uiuttlbred something about obeying or- ders. ** Take off those thuiAb-screws, then." They obeyed without a word. The scarf which was bound over hier mouth, to muflte her cries, was removed, and the woman, moaning with pain, dropped at his feet. ** Now let. me hekr what this outi'a^e meatus, Caspar," said the avenger, pointing his nuking blade, at one of the memi '* Do not dare to hesitate. I will dut you down if you do not speak." . ^ '* It was Deschnppelles, monsieur," replied the man. " He said that this spy, Wiltod, was somewhere in the bouse, and that we could g^t it out of the woman if the ok! man went away. He left to complain to the Governor of our being here, and Deschappelles took, the opportunity. It was not my fkult if I obeyed orders. He waa my superior." ** No mtth would take audi an order. However, he has been punished. Take him n^ and away with him. . There arar your orders. They come from Major Dujardin, aind ou^t to be genuine. No Words; leave the house." . ** Take your foot off the sergeant, mbnsieur ; he may have life in him." „ " I hope so. I should not like to killihe liound, scoundrel tboogfa he is. Let me look at him. Bah 1 he is not badly hail Take him to the hospital In thrfs^ weekk he will be ible to do the dirty w^ock of some other maft. He will THB 6ILEKT 8TRKST. 07 never do any more for Mariot Di^ardin ; let liim be sure of that." The men took the ^rounded wretoh in their arms and car- ried him away. Despard sprung forward, lifted the poor old woman in his arms, and carried her to a couch on one side of the apartment. She revived in a moment, and lifting her swollen and discolored hands, burst iato tears. " Faithful creature," said Despard, "how you have suffered. Why was It done ?" " They might have cut me into pieces and I would never l|ave told them where the young American was concealed. You came in time." ^.•«. You shell have your revenge ^r this, Annette. . I have cleared the house of the villains. Now I must see Wilton." CHAPTBR VI. . A. NitfaVs woKK. Tms night came, and such a ni|)^hr as spies love, in which to do tliehr work. As the darkness fell, Despard and Wilton stole out of the house together f^'om the door in the rear, slipped over the wall, and stood in the next street That nVg^t they had determined upon a perilous act. Private ad- vices had Warned them that the Governor and his Secretary thait night left the castle for the outer lines, and that the Secretary bore upon his person papers which, gave a list of the entire force of the French, under the Secretary's own hand. To possess these papers at ffll hazards, was the pur- ine of the two: m^. Thefee in their hands, notliing need delay the advance of the English forces, now near at hana. "" Onward tiirongli lite Mlent street, they moved, the darttiess ^llin^ upon jthem Hke a mantle. No one knew better thanf Despard how to elude the guards, for in bis walk that morn- ing he had passed over the very ground they were nQW tra- versing, and had noted the disposition of the men; Mw had 58 DEaPAI^, THS BPT. taken pains to instruet Wilton on these points, and the young' man Icnew the course before tliem. They passed under the wall of a gloomy bnllding at which Wilton looked with considerable interest •* You are looking at your late residence," said Despard, laughing very low. "How did you like it?" (Wilton, as stated, had been a prisoner on his previous tisit to Mon- treal.) " Not at all. It is not noted for the comfort it allbws to gnests, and their rooms are rather narrow, and the beds hard. It would have been the less endarable, but that the presence of an angel lightened it." ** Being a lover, you of course can mean no other angel than Marie D'Arigny." " She visited me in the gloomy old place, when I was al- most ready to despair. I do not care to describe my sensa- tions when the door opened for her entrance. We had not understood each other until then. Indeed, except for the fact that I was in prison, and condemned to die, I might never have spoken. Bat I could not help it then." The building they were passing was the strong prison of the post, in which Wilton had been confined, until saved by the hands of Despard, Marie, and other fViends. " You would not like to go in and see your old room, I suppose?" " Not at all. Come on." They relapsed into silence and walk jd on, side by side. Though taking pains to avoid the guards, they did not suc- ceed. Turning the corner of a street they came suddenly upon a watch-fire. Before they could retreat they were chal- lenged. « What shall we do ?" ' " Impudence to our rescue. Come on. I have a pass for myself and for you." "Ha! How did you get it T " The Governor himself gave it to roe upon my repres^t- ing that I was a sort of doctor, practicing upon the pooreff class gratik I do so, by the way." ** Bnt my name." " Yott shall see." A FACR AND A TOIOL 09 The sergeant in charge of the guard came forward. ** Tour names and stutions, messieurs. Speak quickly." Looking closely at the man, Despard saw that it was the same sergeant who had escorted himself and Marie to her residence, after he had snatched her from the hands of Du- jardin and his vile assistants. This simplified matters im- mensely. ** All, good-evening, sergeant. I have not had an oppor- tunity of thanking you for your good service to myself and the lady in my charge. Estephe, this is the sergeant who aided me in saving Marie D'Arigny." " So it is yourself, Monsieur Despard. I give you good- evening. But you must have a pass." " Certainly. Here it is." The sergeant took tiie paper and read it by the tireligbt. ** The pass. is good," siiid the sergeant. " Pass on P' They left the watch-fire behind them before Wilton spoke. •* I do not hnderstand Iiow he passed me so readily." " It is simple e«iough. The pa«3s is for B^)Ctor Despard and his assistant, Estephe Yamy. Your name, for the present, is Estephe Yarny. Do you understand ?" Wilton laughed. " I change my name so often while in Montreal, that, upott my word, I hardly know sometimes what 1 am called. But have your way. Ha ! Who is that T* Though it was dark, they could make out the fi^gurcTof some person passing by, walking in the center of the street Just then a light flashed from the window of a house neaf at hand, and lighted up the figure. They could see that it was « woman. Despard caught a glimpse of a part of the lace only ; the rest was mufiled in a heavy cloak. ^ " Stop," said he. " For God's sake, let me see your face." " Away," said a clear, rich voice. *' s you are a man, touch me not. I call on you, sir, as a g\;atlemain, to sei^ that your friend does not put his hand upon me;" ■ii ff It is a voice firom the gtave,*' iUt«red' D«spai4. ** My dMr^ac^ a^ noiftaf^ h$mn txaa nfli Tbttt it litU« ta fear Itoia ft brokeA maa; wGo, liaviog lost all whteh Bilid« life tSe«t to him, luus lived for Wf ij^jjttX but to be refeHgwl ott tlMAN wlMS'iiire wroBftd tiOL Wnu me not, lady***: -'t > ■ "* I do not fbar y&A^ I \»m ffm y^^llXi ffmi ax«lhrt)M& 6a DC8rAsn> van. tn- ihey. call. Andrew Despard, But ttuu ii. not. jfmt troo name." i ** Who are youf he crled^ starting forward impulsirely. She waved him back. *' It is uot for you to know tliia, Andrew I^espard. It- if enough that I am near yon, and that. I, at least, will ne.Yf(r reprouch you for wliat you have done." :"' "You speak in the voice of one who. i« gone" said Despard, in broken tones. " I could almost be mnd eooggjii to think she lived yet, but that my faithful old seryunt swiojre to me that she is dead." < "Let me pass," said the woman* h^ deep . agitation. "I must not be stopped." " Shall I see you again ?" *M know not. Yeti, I^et; me go qojk^ Btttstigr. Ton go tonighi upon a dangejrpui missiou/* *i,flQW.kn0w you that?** » " Ask nie nt> questions. It jt enough for yoJH tP ka thatl Be careftU to-night I wilino^Bty, give..up your dii- sigK That would be asking, too mi\Qh. S^t* do ngt. expose youwelf. unneeeasurily" ** J : will not," said Despard« *' You h«yfi my pcomisfi."' "Thanks; good^niglit then " As.she. move^iaway,. they,.saw.8Qnio> one, joia her^;aad4his two hurried down. the.. street together. Wilton had; beep somewikatstactled ak the. meeting with this. womat^^ and her knowledge of his ^companion. " I>Q yoi^^Juow. hex I" he . asl^ifid* "I could not SM bei; fa(^">8Md B^spud^a^hnPAtAiigcil]^. *fJWity iflMili^vi^A>.ociai»aV.itil^ Til8e..v^ce^S6fiins|lrfoiiliHar. ^jt^itiitlMMN^ItiUilnlbdK) .mittOfe. of ^ "VmtmJfi^T^^' Itetli «0t iiidtfstilpdvlt^ ai8i;i^dAB4i Yit^ii. hawupiMNl slnai %B»3i§tiw9b«ftl4eJNaife;c|Qi^!(bover her.Tttmotifiil iieiM9.< Bmir down Baie^^mii^^u' Hiifl^ thgakidM|p>tliaisi!it)i»rio^^ tiithiilr>i. • 1weAti8%Q|ii9|i«4ajtlrorib^ ;^-i ;urr ;/. i - '"X DABTNO DKEXX 01 i "A efihnlfo came over tho l&ce of the spy atid be was ftgnlh the liartty, keen, determined man. He led the way nt a quick pace, until they readied a point in tlie long street whence a dark and narrow alley opened npon the main road. In this alley they took their stand and waited. Both were closely masked, and stood leaning on their drawn swords, waiting for their prey. They had not loiig to Wait Scarcely ten minutes h&d passed when tWo men cutne down the street togetlier, picking Uieir way cautiously over the stony plith. " Let me hear them speak," said tlie spy. •* Then I ciin tell whether they ai'e our men or not." " Peste !" cried one of the new-comers, "If I could have my way there would he no such night-Journeys as these. A curse upon these Euglisht Theytnake our HveB a burden. I pray tlie day may come quickly wheii they shall either be driven ou»t of thji country, or we. , One dr the other 'mui}t limppen in the eiid." '* etrtainement," said his dompiinion, with the Frencli gri- nface and flflirug. "It will come too Soon." "Our men," whispered Despard. ** Take the Secretary ; t will attend to the Governor." There is little time lost when a daring deed is to be done by such men. The French guards were not five squ%re^ away. 0espard threw himself upon the Governor, and flung a heavy scarf over his hend, muffling lum so completely tliat on otrtciy was next Yo impossible. Wilton was not so fortu- rtate with the Secretary. Tliat worthy, a muscular though slightly-built man, eluded the first rush, and actually got his sWord portly out of its sheath. There was i!io help for it, and Wilton knocked him down instantly. " Away with them," whispeidd Despard. " There is no time to lose." Tlie prisoners wfere gagged and blindfolded. De&pard whistled in a low key. Four men emerged from several hld.- ing-ptaces aAd (Jaine fdiVard. They evid*mtly undcfiftood their bnsfhesir, tor, wititocH; question, they sepamted-^tWd of them taking v^ the Qovernor, and'the.Mhers the Secretary, nM hlnried 'd6Vvn the alley. When the Gov«mqr*4 eyfed next saw the light he was sitting in a chair, bound tightly, vit-d-i^ with 6i DBSFAKD, TBM 0FT. his able friend, the Secretary. Tlie nwm in which thf y sat wni a low-ro<>fud, rude phice, evhlently the dwelling of one of the lower order. Two more utterly confounded men tlian tliese probably could not have been found in the colony of Canada. " Whnt does this mean ?" said the Governor. ** Parblcu 1 I should say some ouc of his mnjesty's subjects proposed to give us lodgings for the night, gratis." " Is this a time to Jest, D'Aumale ? I am astonished." " So am I, your excellenc)'," said the incorrigible Secretary, " deeply surprised. I am also grieved that you have men in the colony so base that they do not respect the person of the Governor, nor of that worthy man, the Governor's Secretary. Our surprise, however, can not aid us iu the least. Then there is nothing for ii* but to follow the phraseology of our excellent Mends the English, and ' grin and bear iL' Ahat here is our captor." The door opened, and Despard, still masked, appeared upon* the threshold. In one hand iie held a pistol, the long, bright barrel of which glittered in the rays of the lamp he enrried. He spoke to them in English, the better to conceal his iden- tity. *i Gocid-night to you, sir. My friend, the Secretary, Fm rigl|t glad to see yer." " I can not speak well your execrable language," said the Secretary, in French. s. " Speak it as well as you kin, then. Tou canH expect att- Englishman to understand your cursed lingo. You've got papers we want. I've come to find them." ** If yon would release my hands I would save you that trouble," said the Governor. " So would I, vraiment. Let me speak wiz Monsieur An- glais. Be composed. Release my hands, ven I vill give you une, deiix, trois papier ; ze whole plan of ze campaign," said the Secretaiy. " D'Aumale, will you turn traitor f cried the Governor. " Pardon nez^moi. Monsieur le Governor," said the Secretary. **It is useless tn resist. Zls gentlehomme vill release my hands, and I rill proceed to give him zo papier. Qui ; vrai* msiit** / ▲ raniR REFUBKD. M ., ** Oh, shut up, Frenchy," taid Dospard, adopting^ to a ritcety the rough pb rases and rude ways of an English forester. " We ain't go'n' to listen to no nonbense ; we ain't goin* to take none from you : now n^ind that. You ain't goia' to git your liands free, neither ; so just you hold still." % " Peace,D'Aumate," said the Governor. " This is only one of these rough Englishmen, who think there is a merit in rudeness. Perhaps I can do something with him. Attend to me, monsieur. Do you know who I am?" " I rather think I you looH at 'em." liy^ill^ fan )n9 eye ba.st|ly pyer the papers. '^ Just the thing," be said. " IV« aU riglit ; nothing more to be done." • ■ !! l^bftteyej; ipfiy happen, naopsjeMr,'.' taid ibe €lovenior» " you can not deceive me. I know your voice and figure/' a " And whom do yon tbinH me ?V *t YoH aff tbe man know^ as tbe &ilf:nt {^layer. Ton are the man who was taken at the castle and escaped from pripou." , mm! V ^a I ^f^ 1" aald lyiltpn, unmasking. **. My dear Governor, bow are yoi) ? I baye ];io^ bad tbe pleaauce of seeing your fiice fof some tinfe." " I was right, then. Beware, young sir I Hardihood may ^ top (a^, Yoi) will ye( be laid by. the beels.'! " i may be, my dear sir. It will happen in spite of all we .C(\n ^o, perhaps. At present yp^ (ure ii!> my bands;. What is to binder ipe from trilling y^u t!! ' "» I? l^otmngi; I am m your power. Po witb me as you will," said the Governor, sullenly. iO " It may be forced opoi) me. Jf*—?* Wba^ he mean( \q |ay wa^ lQ9t in a terrible ccnsb, a» tbe door w|s betitf ii. m*^ Pespard Beia;ed the Governor l^ tbe arm, and held a pistol to his bead. 'VriUon: grasped tbe Secretary in .tb|^ ^m^ Q^&i>per, and no( a moment too soon, for over the threshold poured a dozen of tbe guards, bolding their bajEonets at tl^e charge. Behind tbem the ^vage face, of J^ariot Du* jardin could be seen. Tbe soldiers halted as they saw tto attitude of tbe. two sp^t o not put It to the te#t,*' cried Wflton, cocking his pistol. Despard did the same. There Is nothing pleasant In tlie click of a pistol-lock, when the muzzle is not three inches from your head. The Governor found it bo. " Wait a moment, Major Dujardln. Let us treat with tliese men. They are evidently desperadoes,** said the Governor, in sfjme trepidation. " Tliey are indeed, your excellency " ** We are In a position to dictate terms," said Wilton ; ^' my L, friend will give them to you." " It's Just yer," said Despard, still keeping the dialect of a frontier man. ** They've got to git out of tliis, and give us a Akir start All we ask of this Frencher is to take out his men and form 'cm in line at the end of the street. Then we will do as we chooee." " Confusion I We will not agree," cried the Gover- nor. "Very good. You will at once perceive that tins is our only chance. If we are taken, we hang. That is under- \ stood. 60, if you are tired of lifo, orcler yer men to come on." " You surely would not murder usf "We've got our lives to save. Don't git it into your head that we won't pull triggers, because we toiiU. I reckon you had better order these chaps out." " Major Dujardin," said the Governor, ♦• form your men at the end of the street." The guards trooped out. Despard called the major tack. iii' "flay, hadnt you better call away the men at the win- dows?" " Men at the windows I Who said I had men there V* ** It doD*i matter in the least ; only wo wint 'em awaj " uld the spy. i,..,„ ,, ** It shall be done. I don't know you, my man, but you am a sharp one.*' ** I counted your men before they went out, you know. You ken go." Dujardin strode away. The moment he was gt>. . Despard leaped to the window, and threw it open. The night was dark as night could well be, but ho could hear men moving in the rear of the honse. A silent signol to Wilton was all he needed. With a pistol in one hand, and u sword in the other, Despard led the way through iUe front door. No one had expected him there, and, though one or two of the guard were loitering about, they were powerless to atop the two men, who rushed by them like the wind. The guard entered the bouse, and released the Qovemor and Secretary. Woe to Wilton if they caaght him now 1 ^l^k CHAPTER VII. A PACE IN THB WALL. . .i TnB versatile valet of Mariot Dujardin was not in the least annoyed by finding himself in the power of DeSpard, when he knew that it would pay him. Betraying his master waa nothing new^ to him, and he set about it with a zest. He had followed the major on the night when the Qovemor and Secretary were seized, and from "^ a nook in the wall hud managed to watch the proceedings without being seen. Wlien the two men escaped he was about to follow, but second thought told him that this course was useless, as they would doubtless take him for a pursuer and avoid him. He did tlu» next best thing ; he crept near and listened to the conversa- tion between the Governor and Dujardin, ** How came you to arrive so opportunely, Mariot ?'* asked the Qovemor, " I had set one of my men to watch the house of the old 0§ VBBPKIXbf TR& KPT. 8t(id«$tit, An'sclmo. Re 8aw two men leave the honse by the rear entrance and followed them. After seeing them posted in UTi alley, evidently waiting for some ohe, he ran to the barrier and gave the alarm." " Ha ! They came from the house of the student ?" said the Governor. '* '* Yes, your excellency." . * " Strange. He 6eemk a istlirple, kind Old than. tVliat Should lilts Wilton do at his house ?" " I can not tell. ITe Was there lasl flight, 1 ata b^rtain,'* replied Dujardin. ^ •'Whysof' , " Ohe of my men saw liim in the window and reportedliim. I went to take him, but lie was nowhere to be foiind. Doul)t- teSs he wriS concealed 'sOrafewliere at the time." ** Are yoti sure yohr ihan knew lilm t** > ^' 4«.** Certainly, tie had put out his he&d lo 8i6sh a SliutteV, when Langlier passed upon the walk, so close that their faces almost touched. I repeat, it was the very man. No one knows him better than Ltragtter." " That same rogue deserves a halter himself," said tlie Gov- ernor. " You remember that lie attacked Lamont and this same Wilton in the wood above the Ohamtily. I should have hung him for that, but for you, Mariot. I wonder you keep the fellow about you." ** He is useful to me," said Dr^ardfn. " 1 granl you he ft a viTTain. Whalt sfiaH w^e do m regard to thT6 old toah ?" " He must he talten. 'fiek y6iiV rii'^ xHihir'k ^^ekiit^ bring him to head quarters." Diijardin turned to execute the order. CHaude had herird fell Ire required, and ran away lik* the wintf, tkkin^ the direction of ihc hoiis'e of Anselmo. As he raii, he stnmbled bver some one who wAs1n the path, a kuntfed, shriveled tiigiire, ^ho cursed him in good French for the act. , ' "Bewhre wliat you do!" he cried. " No man ever did '^i wronj^ to Conrad Diim6'nt who did not at so^^e time re- pent it." " Are you Conrad, the sorcerer ?" asked Claude, rtiftig. " I ktist Isp^k to f6u. Do yob know Det/j^ahl V* A PAID AQKWr. 61: ' I have heard of him." Noosense. He is a friend nf yuura. I am one of hii agents. He must have told you before thi*.' ♦• Your name ?" " Claude Tollisson." ^ " The valet of Muriot Dujardin r •' Out, monsieur," said the valet. . x, " Very good. You are on the list of our paid agents. What have you to impart ? Speak, and let your words be tw the pouit." " They shall be. A guard has been sent to seize the man known as Auselmo, the student. If you have any interest in him, give him warning. Ilave I done well to tell . you?" " Excellent. You could not have done better. Away with you, and watch your master like a lynx. I will engage that Anselmo shall not be taken." The moment Claude turned away, the deformed one started on a run, showing an agility which no one would have believed possible in a mai^ of his form. Away through the dark streets, through alleys where the water stood in st^naut pools, he never slackened his headlong speed until he saw be- fore him tlie house of Anselmo. Annette came to tlie door in answer to his rap and he passed in. When tlie guard came to capture Anselmo, he was not to be found. The old servant could not tell where he had gone, or at what hour he woijild return. There was nothing for it but to wait, so they ordered the servant up stairs, aiKl took pos- session of the lower pait c^ the house. It was not yet day, and the room in which the soldiers sat 'ooked gloomy enough under the waning light of the single taper the servant gave them. The soldiers, stout-hearted fel- lows enough, in their way, could endure most things in cam-, paigning, but the gloomy old house struck a chill into their very mairow. "They say the old place is haunted," said one. "Ghosts flit to and fro in the night. Kaspar says he saw the devil sit- ting on the ridge-pole one night, grinning at the moon." " It might well be true," said another. " A curse upon the old crib. You know me^ Piene, don't you ? Parbl^ll I 171 8 70 DBflPAKD, TBK 8l*T. • I am not a man to be easily frightened, but I am not in lore wiith thfkt okl rack-a-bones of a boitjse. They say the iAd man is a pestilent astrologer." *' Can he read the fates ?" " Tliey say so. If lie could, he would be no worse than this Conrad Dnmont, who lives in the little white house at the barrier. You should l^ave heard him talk to some of the lads the other night. If any of them had been so unfortmiate as to have cut a throat or lifted a watch in bis time, who should know it but Conrad, and jeer at them on account of this little incident ? Upon my word it was awful. I was the only honest man in the party, and yet he gave me a be> nefit too." - ^' " I have seen him," said Pierre. '* A distorted lump. A cold-blooded, vindictive, cruel-hearted ape," '^ Ha I ha ! ha 1" shrieked a voice near them. " Hark to the devils. Speak well of your betters." Every man sprung to his feet and grasped his gun. But, no enemy was in sight. The sergeant darted to the door and flung it open. As he did so, a perfect yell of savRge laughter filled the room. Yet the halls were empty, and there was only one other door opening into the room. One of the men poshed it open with his fiiot and showed a small bedroom. J He poised his bayonet to thrust at the person who had broken in on their discourse, and darted into the little room, fully persuaded that he had trapi^ed the fellow at last. But, to his surprise, the room was empty, and a shrill voice seemed to >/- rt»g in his very ears. \ *' Conrivd Dumont ! A distorted lump I Ha I ha I hai^^ Who could help laughing when he sees a lot of villains such , as these tramping to and fro upon forbidden ground ? The ' devils laugh. The owls hoot. The white owl, sitting in his tree by the doorj cries out, tu-whoo I" A paleness settled upon the faces of the soldiers as they * looked from one to another. What could this mean ? No one was in sight, and yet the cries seemed to fill the very room. " * Hell is empty, and all the devils are here,' " quoted the sergeant, who was a literary character. " Up stairs with yon, J«ioa and Dantoo. We will see if the soldierfc of the guard A PRMOMIAC BCRBUCO. 71 are tbe mea to be insulted by clap-trap and aati'ology. It shall not be. Up w'ilii you. Search every room through ami through. Leave not u nouk or corner unexplored, no mutter where. Kill any thing that comes in your way." The two soldiers sprung up the stairs with fixed bayonetfl, and burst into the rooms above. They found no one hut Annette, who stood on the luudlng, tryin;; to liud out the cause of the tumult below. ** For heaven's sake, gentlemen, remumlier that I am alone here, and rely upon your generosity. You ahull have all you require, only do not be too loud." " Out of the way, old lady," replied one of the guard. *^ No harm is intended you, but we must find who it is that dares to shout in derision at the soldiei's of the guard." " Have you heard the shouts f Ah, woe is me, the sad times have come again to the house of my master I Sorrow we have had, and now it is here again," said Annette. " What do you mean?" cried the leading soldier. She answered by a look of tgrror. ** Yon do not, can not know the secrets of the house. Did it socm a gibing, bitter spirit ; a mocking, cruel ghost ?" • " We heard some vile wretch jeering at us," replied die soldier, "and we will not endure it. Stand aside, for we will search for it" " Go on, if ye will," said Annette. " If ye come to harm, lay not the blaqie on my guiltless head." They pushed open the door of the room directly over the place where they had been sitting when the first alarm sounded, and entered. It was a square, plastered apartment, without furniture of any kind. The bai-e white walls had a dreary and uninviting look. As they gazed about them the same elfish laugh which had astonished them before sounded in their ears, and they saw, in the gloom at the back of tlie room, a face hideous in every lineament, looking out of the solid wall. Even as they saw it, a screech like a panther's seemed to shake the room. The man bearing the torch dropped it, while his companion stood there powerless to raise his rifie. Annette darted in and picked up the flamini^ 7S DSSFAXD, THB IPt. ** Are jou satisfied ?** she cried. " Oome away, before a worse tiling liappea lo you. I warn you." " Did you see it, Danton ?" gasped one. ** Dieu de bat- taillcs ! Did you ever see the Mice ? Ugli ! I am in a veiy Jelly from fear. I own it. If tlie rest saw wliat we have seen, tiiey would leave this accursed house." " Yah-h-h-h-ah !" A prolonged yell broke in upon the speaker, and they saw the same distorted, flend*like face which they had seen before. The man called Jason lifted his musket with a shaking hand, and pulled the trigger. When the smoke cleared away, Danton snatched the torch from the hand of Annette, and darted forward. He knew that his companion was a deadly shot, and hoped that the thing who had so terrified them had got its deserts. Reaching the spot; he saw nothing but the round hole in the paneled wall, where the bullet had pierced it. By this time the others were in the room, looking with astonishment at the face of Danton, who was deadly pale. '• Say what you will, lads," quoth he. *' I never believed in ghosts. But, when I see them with my own eyes, I can not doubt the evidence of my senses.- Jason will swear, and so will I, that he fired at a face looking out^of the wall al this very spot This good woman can tell you the same." ** Liars, thieves, scum of the world," cried the same shrill voice. " Fire at me ; fire at a cloud. I'm a devil I Yah-h-h-ahl" " Qod help us, what necromancy to thisf" cried the sergeant. ^- We have follcn upon a strange thing. I never saw the like ia all my life. By the soul of my body, it is wonderful. However, here we are and here we stay until the man they call Auselmo sees fit to return. Jasou and Danton, you will remain in this room. Have your arms ready for use. Pierre and Cartier, take the room below. As for myself, I shall re- main at the door." They took their posts without demiT. "Whatever her faults as a nation, as a military one France is superb. Her soldiers are the very essence of obedience. These men were terrified, it \^ true ; but, they took their places firmly, and waited for event* to shape themselves as they would. The sergeant was a bold man. He had fought the balU* TBX BXBt>8 CAQSflU 1V of his country in many lands and had growiv gtHy in the ser- yice. A lieutenancy had been promised an, but he had refused it, on the ground tliat his education was not sufficient for llie purpose. lie carried a liltle table into the liall l)efore llie door, drew his sword and laid It before him together with his pistols, cocked and laid with tlie butts toward Ids luihd, ready to grasp at a moment's notice. Annette had brought him a flask of Burgundy, and he sat there, trifling with his glass, and trying to study out the riddle of the old house. •• Queer," muttered the sergeant. ** I don't undewtand this at all." ' [ " Perhaps an hour had passed. It ^as nearly daylight, btrt fn that portion of the niglit wlien objects seem to K)om up through a mist. At that hour the sergeant received a shock. Tlie door of the room in which his men were posted waa closed. He was in a half-doze, when a brawny hand was suddenly clapped npon his mouth and he was thrown upon the floor. Looking up, he saw the point of A knife at h\i throat, and like an old campaigner gave up with a good grace. His captor was Wilton, who, now that he had been recognized, kept his face uncovered. Behind him stood Despard, still masked. Leaving the sergeant in charge of Despard, Wilton stepped lightly to the door and locked th^ two soldiers in. He had already taken the precaution to ifasten the blinds on the outsixle. This done he went up tl>e stairs and locked the other two, while Despard iRtoodf laughing. " Now that the birrte are safely caged," said WiltOn, "let us to business. Call Annette." She came down quickly, looking pleased at wefng the sergeant extended on his back, held in abeyance by the knfftr of Despard, who frowned at him ominously l^'hc^ he attempted to rise. ** How came these fellow* here ?" he demanded. * " Tliey came to take my master prisoner. Two men vrere seen to leave the house last night and were followed." ** Ah-ha. So that was the way of it ? Our frienits keep a good watch over tis. Thanks to a gopd friend, they did not take us happing. Hd^ h^ve tliese men treated ybu V* ' • •• Tkey are not ^e the gang Dttjardiu tent before,** ttti 94 0HPABD, THB 8FT. Annette. " They used me as 'well as was consistent with duty." *• I am glad to hear it. These are soldiers. I myself have been in the service of France. Rise, sir. I am sorry we were compelled to throw you down rather roughly." " It is the fortune of war," said the sergeant. " We can not help ourselves." " We must bind you to the chair," said Wilton. He was tied hand and foot Soon, the men locked in the rooms began to realize that they were in trouble, and com< menced to kick at the doors. Without paying any attention to tliem.Despard left the room, and was heard walking al)out in tl)e rotmis above. He shortly appeared, with a packago in his hand. " You must abandon the i^est, then," said Wilton. " Will Anselmo return ?»» - " I fear that you will never see liis face again," said the other, with a peculiar smile. "^ They passed out of the house, and to Wilton's surprise were followed by Annette, who only went as far as the gate of the D'Arigny mansion. As they halted a moment to bid her good-by, a man came up to them. It was Conrad. His face was absolutely distorted by elfish laughter and he chuckled as he stood before them. " Conrad, you should not be out on such a night as this " said Despard. . ;- " Who but I ? If you had seen what I srtw this nighty ^ you would laugh as I do. They thought the devil was after them, sure." " You have been frightening the soldiers," said Despard ; •' I t see that" " Out of their five senses," replied Conrad, with another chuckle. " To sec them standing there, the color of bleached cloth, and not laugh, was impossible. Annette aided me. Qood-night, Annette." The woman went to the door in the rear of the house, which had evidently been left open for hei^ and entered. The others passed on. Next day Annette was arrested by order of the Governor, and brought to the castle for examination. lEothing of interest could be elicited. Of .her master she THB MTBTKRIOtrS BOI78B. 1ft conld not or would not tell any thing. Where he had gone, 'Whence he had come, when he would return, all was in the dark. She knew nothing of the men who had come into the house. They were strangerB to her, she avowed. She denied all the statements of the sergeant, in toto ; said that tlie Bur* gundy she had set before him was very strong, and she should not be surprised if that had something to do with his strange powers of invention. She was at last released and allowed to return ; but she went back to Marie, not to Anselmo'a house. Wi CHAPTER VIII. ^,^ DUJARDjrN'S VISIONS. Mariot Dxjjardin, on the night following the trial of the old servant, went out alone. That is, he supposed so, when, in reality his trusty seiTunl was close at his heels, watching every step h« took, slinking around the corners of dark streets, stopping when he stopped, and again going forward when he pursued his way. He stopped at last before a house which sibod by itself, gloomy and dark ; he rapped at the door, and it swung open, apparently without human agency, for no ser- vant appeared. There was sometlunp; in the mysterious and silent manner in which the door opened and swallowed up the major, which awed the servant, and he halted in the street and looked rather nervously at the mysterious door. As he stood there, a voice sounded in his ear ; at the same moment a firna hand fell upon his shoulder. " You watch Dujardin," said the voice. * Astonished by the assertion, Claude could only stammer, without making any connected reply. " Do not deny it. Enter here, I give you leave ; for I lake It you are no friend of Dujardin." « - ' ♦* Enter where ?" ^ " At yonder door." " I do not know the occupants of the house.** " You need not, sir. Pass on unquestioned. Within yon- der hoHse you will be safe, so long m ^hmi follow and watcit no one but your mwtpr. Pnuae not, turn not to tlic right hnnd nor to tUe le^ follow no uue eke, aud It iliull be well with yon." Claude entered the mysterious door. As his hnnd touched it, be SAW tlie heavy oak swing bnck upon its hingt^ to ndmit Jiiin, and then close ns noiselessly m b(>fore. The hull in which he etood was very dark, and to his surprise and terror « cold, chiminy liand was laid upon liis wriat and drew him forward. He begiiu to wish' iie Itad not been so ofiBcious in fol- lowing his master. '*" " What do you want ?" he muttered. " Bi^cak not," said a low but lerrtbly savage voice. " You** life is in peril. Hear me. Within this house, I charge you, as you value life and happiness, spe«ik not, but obey." Claude was trembling like an aspen leaf; but there was no retreat for liim now. He had nothing to do but to follow his Jeader, whoever it might be. He was led through long pas- Bilges of the dark house, fearing each moment to receive a dagger in his heart, until he camc*suddenly to a place where a light streamed through an opening in the wall. " Look," said his conductor. " Your master is here. Watch him through this opening." .. Satisfied that he was not to be ii\jured, Claude set aboA his duty with new zest. He looked through the opening. Diyardin was pacing up and down the narrow room, ap- parently waiting for some one, and at the same time undecided wl^at course te take. His face looked gloomy under the lamps. He had been luisuocessful in all diis attempts lately. 8ome one had met and foiled him at every turn. A hidden influence, whose he could not divine, hud been at work. That day he had received a note, couched in these words : ** If Mariot Dujardin would know why he has been so l^nfortmiste of late, let liim come to the Rue Burtcjlemy, near the r^vei*. The house will be shown him when he reaches the street." Tossed about by doubts and fears, Dujardin followed even these vague directions, and had been admitted. . The rooai in which he sat was a beautiful oB«-^a very luracla of taate. The carpets ware sp soft tUat iUe (eei funk f A rit-TCWR OALURt. W toto them at every step. Sofus, ottomans and the like, corered With rich Tclvet, were rfcnltered about the great room, and pic- tures of raru beauty covered tlie walls. But he w«» in nd mood to notice the beauty of the room, A look of annoy* ance passed over his face as some moments went by, and no one appeared. All at once Glande became conscious that some one else beside the major was in the room — a woman, in a flow* in^ robe of white, her face concealed by a thick lace mask. ** You have come at our biddinjr, Mariot DujaitHn,'* said a voice like a flute, bo sweet and clear was it. " I have prona* ised yf)u tlie reason of your late trouble; you shall see rft4 keep my word. Ton are satisfied that some influence hsA been working against you, lately ?" •♦Who are you?'* said Dujardin. "Let me tee jovt face." " Dog 1" cried the woman, fiercely; " dare so mncll as to lay a finger upon my robe, and you die. Beware T " Oh, as to that, you can not frighten me, my lady. How- ever, as you choose to remain incog., it shall be as yoa sa][. To your work ; do as you have promised." "Keep your «^'es upon yonder wall,".said the woman. He obeyed hei*. In a moment a strange wliiteness appeared upon the wall, and then light and shade began to sirow them* selves ; directly after, a picture appeared. It represented a grove in summer. A youth and maiden were walking down a sunny path, hand in hand, while another young man, half- hidden by the bushes, was peeping out at them with an angrj^ eye. Dujardin started and turrred pale, for in the couHenane^ of the skulking man he recognixed himself, and in the others*, two of his victims. "* - ■ ♦* You know then>, I see," said the ladj. " Tifis is the fl)nl pfclure of your life ; let it fadfe." As she spoke a shadow began to fall upon the pieturoi ■^fieh moment it grew less distinct, and in a moment mart B. 'ng was ieeft but the bare while waH. " This is jugglery," anid Dujardin. " I did iioi come heri 'td'ifee ft; aAi$ 1 WIH i»ot remaitij €M> yow owi* way ; I teavo tfaie botts^ tirf» oioihaBit?*' 18 mMPxxD, TBK unr. j ** Remnln T said a deep voice. He turned, and saw a man of tremendous stature, hold- ing in Uis hand a heavy club, which he swung high above his head. " Uave I been decoyed here to be murdered ?*' shrieked Du- Jardin. , " No, villain. Wc are not of your kind. Look to it that you remain until we have done with you." '* You may retire now, Gabriel," said the lady. " He will stay to see the other pictures of his life." J The shadows nguin began to fall upon the wall, and showed another scene. A duel in a crowded room ; a group of young men, most of them in the uniform of the French service, formed in a circle, and in the midst the combatants. One of them was down, and the other was standing over him, wiping his bloody sword. Tlic face of the man upon his back was that of Di\Jardin. , j>j ** You see this ?" said the woman, in a thrilling voice. " Yes," said he, in a half-whisper. tj . " It is well. Let the picture pass, and another come." Again the shadows came upon the picture, and it was gone. They came quickly now. As the third fdl upon the wall, Du> Jardin uttered a yell of absolute terror, and covered his eyes. A man waa l)ending over another, who lay dead upon the rpad. The face of the dcud man was half-concealed from sight ; but that of the murderer was in plain view ; it was tliat of Du- jardin 1* . ** Fiend, devil in woman's form," he cried. •' Who are you, and how dare you rake from the depths of the past the story pf old days, and bring it up like this ? It is a foul lie. Who has dared to make me their sport in this way ?' " Peace, fool ! you know not what you say. I have shown you a true picture of your life in France. You can not deny it with truth. I could show you more. I could bring you pictures from a long life of guilt. I could show you burning cabins, and old men and women thrown on the blazing rafters. I could show you brave young D'Arigny, murdered ^y your hands." ^^ ** Now, by my patron saint, who could stand idly and bear •uch insults as these, does not deserre the name of maii. HAOIC ASD 1IABTKL8. 79 I Where Is my sword t Give me bnt thnt, and then bring in your rufflnn brawlers, one at a time, and I will face Uiem." ^' •♦ The redeeming qimllty in your bad ITre.'Tifariot Dujardin, is a certain kind of bravery. You do not fear death, bnt only because you believe death to be annihilation. Your sword shall be relumed to you soon, wlien you have leave to depart. At present, I have something more to show you." " I will see no more." ' }* " You must ; you spend a part of the night \n this honse. You shall be safe. I promise that. But if yoa see sights which make your false heart qunke, as you ihaU see tliem, it will be because you ar^ guilty of innocent blood. Yonder is a room. Pass In, and spend the hour in sleep, If you can." " I will not." ^^ " Beware, I tell you.* If you refuse, I will have you seized and chained to the bed. Take care you do not force me to do this, or you may have cause to repent it." [ " What right have you to detain me ?" " The right of tlie stronger ; you are in my power," she said. '* I'll not endure it" " Go, then. I do not oppose you. Leave the house.** He turned to go away ; but, to his surprise, no door was to be seen. Except on the side upon which the pictures had been shown, which was white, the room was paneled in oak. But, in the hundred panels, wlio could tell where the door stood? " At least I have you here," lie cried, seizing her suddenly. •* Your body shall be my ransom." *• Gabriel, appear !" she cried. As she said this, Dujardin received a terrilHe blow, wliich felled him to the earth, senseless. When he rose to liis feet, lie found the blood trickling from a wound in his ft)rehead. He was alone in tlie room ; no, not alone, for ghostly foi'ms seemed to flit' about him on every hrfnd, and, even as lie looked, tlie wall of the room ligiitened suddenly, and be saw another picture "^ ^40 DMaputD, THB arr. It represented Ibe bank of a river, in a place wliero reeds tnd ferns grew. Id the clistnnce roeo the towers of some great city. But the foreground of tlie picture was tlie terri- ble pas^ Tlieve, balf conccuied by the water, with her abun- dant tresses flouting out upon tlie waves, lay a woman whom be remembered but too well. That drowned face wna one wliicb bo had cored for in Ills time, for it waa that of Tereso D'Arcy^ tlie lost bride of Despard. These horrible pictures were too much even for the iron Houl of Dujardin. He ran round the room despairingly, clutch- ing at tlie walls and beating at the panels, crying nnt for mercy, 1)egging them in tlie name of the saints to let him out, to go away from such horrible sights and scenes. It was only answered by a mocking laugh. He turned, and there, stand- ing close to the wall, clad in the white habiliments of the grave, stood the <:xact counterpart of the pictured face. She was pointing one white arm at the picture, and the other at him. The wretched man uttered a tlespairiug yell, and fell prostrate upon the floor, clutching at the carpet. When bo looked up again, the picture was gone from the wall, and the figure had disappeared.!. In its place stood the tall form of Qabriel. '* Kiae," ho said. " You have seen enough. You know now why it is that you have not succeeded in your enterprises of late. It is because God will not suffer such a guilty wretch to live. Your time is drawing near." "Am I to go now ?" ,' " Yes ; unless you would like to see another picture." " For heaven's sake, do not speak of it," he gasped. " Speak not of heaven, irreverent scoffer. Go ; and see to it that you do not enter this street again." " No need to tell me that," said the villain, trembling. " I shall keep clear of it. I was a fool to come jbiere in the first place." ■ " You are right ; it would have been better for you if you l»ad stopped away. Come." ^ He took the major by the hand and led the way out of the liall and into tlie street. Here he received bid sword, and was Bufltered to depart. The innate villainy of bis heart ik as suck Ubat after receiving the weapon, be turned to thrust it ioto the TOUll PAS8U8, OEKTLUMBN. 81 r back of Qabiiel as he uiountcd tho stops. But thnt worthy tti&n hnd fncccl about tind stood on his guard. " Go r he said. " You will not kill me to-ljight.*» With a muttered curse, Dujardin thrust his Hword into tho scabbard, and walked away. He had not gone half tt dozea blocks when two men passed liini. As they did so, he heard 'A llie name of Marie spoken I)y one of them. lie was a man who never forgot a face or figure, and looking closely at tho speaker, ■ a CHAPTER IX. '* A 6TRANQE UEETmO. •» ■ig, Thby brought him out, heavily guarded, and set him face to face with the Qovernor and council. Looking about upon the many faces in tiie room, Despard could not see one which bad any sympathy with him. Every countenance expressed a firm determination. Indeed, he looked for no mercy. It h^ l)een a part of his plan to meet death bravely, if by any chance he fell into tlie hands of the enemy. There was a half-defiant look in his face which surprised them. " Doctor Andrew Despard," said the Governor, gravely, " you stand here charged with a grave crime. Far be it from me to anticipate your sentence. I hope that your witnesses may be strong enough to bear down the array of proof which can be brought against you. The crime with which you are charged is that of betraying the country which gave you birth, to our enemies. I hope it is untrue." " Sir," said Despard, promptly, " as for betraying the coun- try which gave me birth, let me say to you what I have never said to 1 Frenchman before : I am an Englishman. ' " An Englishman !" *• Yes. What I have done, I have dore. I had an object in it. Go on w ith the trial, since you assure me of a fair one. I believe you bonoraLie enough to accord me that" A murmur of surprise and anger ran through the assembly. They had ho compassion for him now. An Englitlu&an I Then he had deceived tliem a^ these yean?. , '* Doctor. Despard," said the OovertH>r, '' you ore accnsed of HI BBI»AKO> tax 8Pi;'>''- kidng an English spy. What say you to tli& charge f QulHy or not guilty ?" " Guilty I" sfiid Despurd. " Yes, a thousand limes guilty. I &m proud of jvli.at I have done. I sliould go to iny grave in aorruvv, and never rest quietly tltere, if I had not thift thought to sustain me. For years I Imve labored to do what I could to break down the power and glory of Fnuice in this section. I am proud in the belief that I have done it well. The foe is at your gates. * Yt?t a few hours, and this proud city will be overrun by Englisli troops. I had hoped to see \K and triumph in it. I am only grieved to lose this salislac- tion." " He confesses " said the Governor. " Secretary, make a lidinute of his words. You know what your fate will be, Despurd I vr:ish to learn some things which have always been shrouded; in- myatery. Will y«Ai answer my aueK tions?" ** With pleasure; you luvve treated me well," replied Dea* pard. *' In the, ftrsjt place, let me ask who it was took, the. planlof Qur last campaign frnni the table Iiefore me^ at tlu; council in the castle ? The ligUi was accidentally oveiturned, and when a^ttin relighted, the paper was gone." " / took it,*' said Despaid, q,uietly. You have heard a snarl run through a. cage of wild beasts when the tamer appeal's among them. A sound muck likft this was heard in the room at this, confession. The loss of' that papej* had nearly ru'ned a. good cajupaign. "You sent it to the English?" *• Yes ; Wilton look it to them." , ^vWliji) aided this Wilton, knowu as the Silent Slay«r, t4 escape ?" *' I did," replied Despard. " When we pai'ted, ail«r bis es- cape, I gavte him the paper." "JMj^self and Secretary were set upon.Uie otiier night i»^ the street, and robbed o£ important papers. One of the mei» yupO s«iaed us.wasAliis same Wilton. Who was his com* ** It was myself," replied Despard, with. a. quiet s»il«. *Mte.b Ik la impoasibls I That muA vtijas aa mMQOth Bngllshman, and spoke in the rough, riide way Uielr .'hreiteri have." " Nevertheless, it was I;" said Despard. " Yon know no- thing of my cKsguiscs. I have come tu you in more sliapes th:;n xine. As Doctor Despard 1 am w^l known to you, bo( I have Oliver shapes*'* At this moment th(n*c was a clamor at the door ; theguftrd« acattcred right and left, nml Oouriid broke in. His- distorted figure seemed to grow ua he stotnl belore them. '*^ What means all this? Have- the;^ harmed you. An* drew?" '* No, good Gnnrad. Why do you come liere-? You am do me no good." u *' 1 can at least die by your side,'* s;*id Conrad, firmly* " Let me beg you to retire, Conrad. My couree is run. I faave conlbssed that I am a spy of the !EhigIish« My sentenG* will be death. You must go away." " Not yet," said Dnjardin. " Order ll»e guards to seize this fbllow, my chief. He is thIUi mout ntttv tmxC hope £;»: a beUor ftiti ikas thit. I baTt Rf ed in DMTABD, THS tFT. \>y your tide, and you shall see me die aa bravely aa if I had a better form than this." H The guards laid hands upon him. " Off, you vile pack 1" he shouted. " Oflf; -I say I I am your prisoner, and shall not attempt to escape. Fools that you are, do you not see that I came here to die f Why should I escape when Tie stands there ?" " Nothing now remains " « aid the Governor, making a si^ nal to the guards to stand back, " but to ask the decision of the court. Of your guilt there remains no doubt, for both confess it. Before I ask the decision of this court, let me ask you, where is the English spy, the 8ilent Slayer f" " I know not. Safe from your hands, I hope. Come, your sentence. Give me your hand, ni" loble Conrad ; we can die bravely yet. It is something, .tier all, to know that we have been true to each other, and to our oaths, this many a year." " Silence 1" said Dujardin, slooping over from the place where he stood, and striking the prisoner on the moulh with the flat of his hand. Despard had endured much that day — tie threats of the eyes about him, the gallows before him, the sacrifice of Con- rad, and the ill-concealed triumph in the face of Dujardin. But, when he felt the blow, he lifted his manacled hands and brought them down with resistless force upon the head of the insuUer. Kothing but the thick cap he wore prevented his skull from being beaten in like an eggshell. As it was, I:e lay prostrate, the blood gushing iu a gory stream from his mouth and nose. " He has killed him," said one of the officers, as he stooped to raise him. " Served him right, for striking a prisoner," said another. *' £h, bien," said D'Aumale, the Secretary, taking snuff to an alarming extent, " he strikes well. Ah-ha, Monsieur Du- jardin !" " Is he dead ?" said the Governor. " No, your excellency, only stunned." ** Take him out Gentlemen, you who adjudge theae' r:*% guilty ^ death, raise your right hands." ;^.£?ary hapd was raised, and the Governor stood «p. ^ THB' BENTBKOlE. 8f " •* You, Doctor Andrew Deaparcl, and yon, GonracI Dumont, upon your own confession, are adjudged guilty of death by this council. It remains for me to pass sentence upon you. You will proceed from this place to the prison, and from that prison you will bo led out to-morrow at eight o'clock iu the morning to the place of execution, and there hanged by the neck till you are dead ; and may the Saints have mercy on your souls." Tlie stern guard closed In about them and ctmducted them again to prison. Tlie room in wliich they were to be confined was a strong one, in the center of the building — a room which, even if tlic prisoner managed to break, would leave him witliin the prison still. They heard the heavy bolts and bars fall, and knew that all hope was gone. It was their last day on earth. Despard lay down upon the hard bed and hid his face. Conrad crouched at his feet, like a faithful dog. It was his nature to give up all for the master he loved, as a servant never loved master before in all his time. A fearful thing is it to wait in prison for the death which comes upon the morrow I Despard had nerved himself to meet his fate, and yet it was terrible. He had been more happy since he had the love and sympathy of Marie and her lover. He had even dreamed of a life which, while it could never be truly happy, would be better- than his career for the past years. All those hopes were aslies now. " I should like to see Duj/irdin once before I die," said Despard. ** I sliould like to have him know what it is which lias blocked his way so much since he came to Montreal." " You can write it," said Conrad. " I will do it," said he. " He shall know that it is the avenger of Terese v/lio followed him and made his life bitter to hlm,'^ - The jailer came in, bringing them food. Neither bad much appetite. The fellow stood by tratil they pushed the dishes back, and then took them np to go. Despard koked him in the face. '* Your name is Justin June," said be, "Come here.'*! wish to speak to you." §B DKSPABD, THB U*T. ^ " Against orders, n»essl€urB. I must go," replied tho keeper. " Ob, but I have somelhing to tell either to you or the Governor," said Dcspurd. " Do you remember the escape of a priaoncr fioin tliis very room iluee years ago? I remember that there was some mystery in tiie matter, to tlie authorities. There was none to mo. The man who escaped told me who helped him." " Be quiet, can't yon V muttered the man, turning pale. " Why need you bellow it out so loud ?" " I can prove what I say," said Despard. " Come close to me. Either ^ ou must do as much for us as you did for that man, or I will inform on you." " I Vave heard before that you were the devil, Conrad, and now I believe it," said the man. " You told your master that." ** Speak to the point, my man. Will you assist us ?" re- plied Despard. . ■ ■ ■, " I will try. I must, I suppose." " Enough. If I do not hear from you an hour afler dark, I will send word to tho Governor that I have an important revelation to make." '* ril come," said June. '* Don't be too hard on a man. What will you give ?" " I will make you rich enough to buy th« house you have been looking at so long, and to marry little Marianna Lefebre, whom you love so well. Now go. And let me hear from you soon." The jaiter lTX)k up his dishes imd departed. He soon after left U»e prison, and at a Jew shop near the river, purchased a rope about ten fathomo in length. This purchase caused considerable playful banter between himself and the sliop- keepcr as to tl^ use he intended to make of it. As he turned u> leave the sliop some one touclied him on the should^^r. He turned quickly. A lady, closely vailed, stood by his side. '* You are JusHn June, the jailer, are you not ?" ahe said. ^," The same, madame," he answered. '* Come to the Rue Bartolemy in half an hour. A lar|^ house, near the corner of the alkiy. It Iws a brown door and heavy shutters," she said. AN ACCOMMODATmO JAILER. # " I know the plftcc," said the jailer. " Wliy should I come tlierc ?" " I will make it uorth your trouble," aald the lady. " Ton would do well to come." , " Just as you thiuk. I must go at once, if I go at all. I tiftve no time *o waste." " Go on, then. I will be with yon soon." An hour after, the jailer left the large house in the Kite Bartolemy, with a smiling and determined visage. Whatever' the reasond for calling him there might have been, it was evident. that they accorded with his own views. He managed to make an errand to the cell of Despard shortly after, and while busy in looking at the fastenings of his fetters, whispered : " Observe what I drop upon the bed.'* ^ It was a small key, exactly like tlie * ■? he wsts flttJt^g irito the fetters. Despard covered it with his hand and managed to slip it into his pocket. " Very good," said the jailer. " Now observe that nothitig can be done until I give you a signal which you will under- stand when it conies. By the way, you have a lady worklog foi' you." J* "mrieP'Arignpr I "1^0. I know her very well. It is a lady wb6 live.4 in the Rue Bartolemy. She said your life was dearer to her than her own." " Conrad," said Despard, " ain I g^iiig mad ? What t\'oman is there in all the wofld, beside Marie, who cares tbr me ? She must be mistaken in her man, Justin." " No. She gave your name in full. I am toi meet her outside tlie walls to-night and arrange a little plan. Be tran- quil. We may do something for you yet." " If I had a weapon." ** You shall have one. I liiust leave yoti now." ^ When he \Vas gone, a new hope sprung up in the bosoms *«t the two men. But, Despald could not understand wbo this lady of the "kue Bartolemy could be. He rafiHe4 Kis brain in vain. To be sure, he had befViended many H t>Oor tvoman by his knowledge of medicine, bat this one the jailier described as & " lady.*' Who could it bef 10 DBSPAKD, THB SPY. The h.ours passed in feverish anxiety. It grew dnrk and the jailer eniered, accompanied h}' an ofllcer, and Ibey looked over ilie iron?4 of llie prisoners togetlier. *' Where ie your key ?" said tlie offlcer. Tlie jailer took it from a pocket in his blouse and gave it to him. He fitted it into the lock of the fetters, eutisflcd himself that they were strong, and returned the key to the , jailer. " This is your last visit to-night, is it not ?" said the jailer. " I come again at two in the morning," replied the oflBcer. " Then the prisoners had better try and get a little rest. ^ They have not much time to waste, and what they have to do to close up their accounts must be done at once.** Despard understood the emphasis put upon the last two > words. The two passed out and the jingle of the officer's spurs sounded along the passage. Despard produced the key and unlocked the fetters upon Conrad's hands and feet. The deformed man then did the same kind office for his master. V This had hardly biien done, when a slight sound in the rear of the room attracted their attention. Looking that way, Despard saw a large stone which formed part of the wall begin to move, and the next moment it swung aside, revealing an opening large enough to admit the body of a man. The '. face of jl'ustin June appeared at this opening, and he beckoned Ihem teilently to come. They had already removed their boots and moved noiselessly over the floor. Conrad passed through the opening first, and was followed by Despard. They found themselves in a sort of alley between two cells. . June seized a hand of each, and led them uway. Familiar with every inch of the building, in which ho had been em- ployed for ten years, he led them on. To the surprise of Despard, he went toward the top of the building, never loosening his hold of their hands, nor speaking a word. They understood the necessity of caution and scarcely breathed. A sense of the danger kept them silent. They knew that guards were posted in every part of the building, and that only the skill and knowledge of the prison possessed by the jailer could carry them saf^^ly through the toila. At last they stood upon the roof ot the prison. It was one of those flpt-topped structures then in vogue, with a parapet nbout two feet high. They stood tliere, and looked out upon the city. An unusual stir couKl Im; noted in the streets, for that liourof the night. Men were liurryiag by in the greatest dismay, shouting to each other. " Wliat means iliia ?" said Dcspard, in a whisper. " Tlic Engliajj," replied the jailer. . " Ha I Are they here ?" " They are coming in force. D'Levi has been beaten back, from Quebec, after beating the enemy in the open field. Ah, btih I It is all over with us in Canada." " Thank God," said Despard. " I have wailed and watched for this. That man loves France. Her honor and glory he has always placed before his own. I can die contented, if .France is beaten." '♦ You would do belter to see about your escape," said the Jailer, angrily. *, •" You are right. How is it to be done from this point ?" , " Easily enough. Heie is a rope. Tie it to this chimney." 5 They fastened it firmly, and drew the knot tight. " Go jdown," said Despard, waving his hand. \ '* You first, my master," replied Conrad ; " and when you . reach the ground, wait not for me, but escape for your ^llfe." It was not a time to dally. Despard dropped over the para- ,pet and slid to the earth. Conrad followed. The Jailer re- mained upon the roof. Some one, wrapped in a cloak, re- ceived them below. ^ " This way," said a low voice. '\. " What is this ?" cried some one at this moment. " They escape. Feu, camarades, feu .'" 1^ A blaze of light from a dozen muskets illuminated the .scene. Despard saw the person who had received him stag- ^ger, and satisfied that he liad received some hurt, caught him up in his arms, and calling to Conrad to follow, darted down a Bide street, toward the river, in the way he expected the English troops. He knew that, by this time, they must have been pushed far up the island, and be hoped to find some of their on t posts. He was not surprised when a deep yoice cried in English : " Who g J. '♦, •* A Wend,** crfed Despard. " If you are EngUshmcnj gtrii me nid." • •* Gmdmis heaven T* cried the chnllenger, ** it is Despard /** " Wilton r " The very man. Old friend, this cheers my heart. I never thought to look upon your face nguin." " No time for words. I am* pursued. Have you a boat?" " Yes ; 1 was coming to your aid. I meant to bring you off, or leave my sculp In Montreal. Stand close, boys. Here they come. Give them a taste of your rifles. That will sicken them." A sharp clicking sound succeeded the order as the meli ieocked their rifles. They ftirmed a part of that famous band of rangers who did such distinguished service in the Cana« dian wars. Their green uniforms and jaunty caps told that to Despard, who knew the corps. But their number wad small — a ffew picked scouts who could be trusted In such a service as this, and who had been smuggled out of camp one ftt a time to escape the prying eyes of Putnam, Lewis ai)d Warren, who would not have allowed some of their best men to go on so desperate an enterprise. A motley group of soldiers, Indians, and Canadian parti- sans came on in pursuit. Those deadly rifles were lifted, and a close fire poured in the crowded mass. They swayed back with yells of terror, having got into a hornet's nest without knowing It. ^ " Into the boat," cried Wilton. " I wonder how they liked that ? Why, what have you here, Despard ?" "A young fellow who helped me to escape. Pm afraid ho is hurt." •'Not much," said a feeble voice, *'It is in my shoulder." **I say," said Jake Dowdle, a famous scout of the Cham- plain region, wlio had come out with the parly, " seems to m« that's a gal's volcj.'* At this moment a rocket was sent np on the river below them. By (be momentary glare, Despard caught a glimpse of tbe fiwse w*lrfch hiy hi the Irollow^of his arm. He uttered a ciy, balf in Joy, half in sorrow, and tore the cjoak.away. " Terese 1 I oall you by that name by which Iknew you In THE RAKOBBt. ^ tho0e happy days !n Normnndy. Speak, and tell me that I do not dream, and u life of ngony is atoned fur, in tlio bliss of tills mom(MU." " Hold me close to your heart, Charles. Wc will never be parted again." It was a strange meeting. In the darkness, upon the flowing river, he lield I lie woman he so tenderly loved even wlien lie thought she lay in her grave, close to his beating heart. The sorrow of the past was all forgotten then. Tlio men in tlie boat, kept silence. Tljough but rough border men, they recognized in this the work of the Deity we all adore. " Oars," said Wilton. " We have trouble ahead. Keep your rifles handy. I don't like those rockets. If the Gov- ernor only could get a chance to bang me to-night, I think lio would be content to give up the city to-morrow. Ha ; there gll R ainoe. Into her P They bent to their oars. There was a crash, and the stout bateau glided over the demolished canoe, leaving the occu- t)ants struggling in the river. A wild shout from the rangers iUesled their triumph. It was of sliort duration, however. The stream below them seemed to be alive with lights, and Jlliey knew that the:r retreat was cut off below. It was hard. N<»t half-a-mile now intervened between them and the troops of tlie English, who were camped upon the island, under the lead of Colonel Haviland. The spy had known that they were near at liand, but liad not thought them so near as this. AH the tumult and disar- ray he had seen that night were caused by ihe entrance into the city of M. de Bourlemaquc, at the head of the forces which had been forced back by the coming of Murray and liord Rollo. On the other hand, Haviland had forced De Bourgaih-p . Tiile into the city from the other side ; and sixteen thousand men now lay camped about the citj' wails. Montreal was doomed. Nearly frantic witli rage at the great loss which was com^ ing upon France, the leading men in Montreal cared more for the taking of these spies than they would have done under any other circumstances. The river was lined with troopsL The woods w«re full of Indians^ In thili extreml^, thej M DEtBPARD, THE SPY. adopted a plan which, for boldness, has few parallels in hif- tory. They turned back and reentered the city. In the confusion tlien existing, and in the darlcness, it was a comparatively easy thing to reach Ansehno'a house. Con- rad led them, and linowing- the house well, he undertook to find the key. This done, the men, some ten ... number, en- tered the house. No light was needed ; Despard guided them to the secret place in the wall and sent them in. •' How is this ?" said one of the men ; ** neatest hiding place I ever saw. Tiiis is rather cute : ten of old Put and Rogers' best scouts cooped up in the city I Suppose our men get licked, what a nice box we would be in, to be sure !" " Kather," said Jake Dowdle. " You'd like it, I s'pose, you duined fool." '• The house has a double wall, as you see," said Despard. " That is some of Conrad's work. He is a masou by trade;, and delights in building queer hiding-places." " I thought Conrad never cared for any man but you," said Wilton. " He will do any thing for Ansel mo which he will do for me," said Despard. " Do not keep me here ; I must go to Terese ; she is hurt. Oh, my God, what if she should die now 1" " I trust rot, Despard," said Wilton. " I hope you have before you many happy years ; you deserve them, if any man does." " - ' ( .. ■ ' " I don't know ; I have a strange foreboding that all is not over yet. Let me go now." He went back to the rooms above ; Terese was still lying upon the couch where he had placed her, with Conrad bending over her. Ihe faithful fellow was nearly mad with joy ; the mistress he had loved so dearly had come back to him. Despard dressed the wound, which was slight, and then placing her head upon his breast, drew from her the story of her life. He found tiiat she had spent eight years in a con- vent, without taking the vail. At the end of that time, a man who had been in Montreal told in her hearing that he had seen a man in Canada, who called himself Despard, who was her lort lover. She left the convent and came to Canada. n«Po BSCALU290 TBB PAST. 15, ehe spent a year in senrching for Despard, and she found him engaged in llie excciUion of a vow. She Imd a talent for painting. Tl»e pictures wliich Dujardin had seen upon tlie wall were painted by her, and the effect was produced by curtains, which made the pictures seem to be thrown upon the wall itself. She had met Despard but once, and that was on the night when he stopped her in the street. The night was short to them ; the daylight came, and found them still seated there, talking of the strange events which had befallen them since the time when Despard fled, with the brand of felon on him, and Terese was thought to have found a grave under the waters of the Seine. The ten years which had passed had not changed the heart of either, and they loved more ardently now than when they roamed, hand in hand, through the verdant groves of Normand}'. ■^ Forgetful of every thing, they did not see the firce which jPtis peering in at the window. It was that of Langlier, the man who had seen Wilton on tiie occasion of his first visit to the house of Anselmo 1 He remained a moment in doubt, and then stole silently away. ., .- It was nearly noon before any thing was done. Despard sent some food and wine to the men imprisoned in the wall, and remained himself to attend to the comfort of Terese. He did not notice the broken blind, or, with his keen head, he would have suspected sometfiing. Conrad determined to risk a visit, to Marie. He slipped over the garden wall, and entered the house through the kitchen. Here he found An- nette, who told him that articles of capitulation were being drawn up, and that the party had only to remain quiet for a few hours, and all would be well. He hurried back after tell- ( ing Annette what to say to Marie, and went to the room where his master was. To h;s surprise, it was full of armed men, under the leadership of Dujardin, who seemed to hunt Des- pard with demoniac hate. The latter, armed only with a sword, was standing before the lady, when Conrad dashed in and stood at his side. Despard was speaking. " You do not know me, Mariot Dujardin ; you have never known me. I will tell you my name. Look at her face : do you know her?" ,,, ..,..,':..... ^ ,,.. a ** Terese D'Arcy I Then she is not dead, and 1 have beer ft* DKaPAKD, TUE flPT. frightened by your Ingenious clap-trap. Very good ; and who are you ?" •' I am one who has laid you on your back in fair battle — Charles Arninnd I Do you remember tlie name ?" A cry of triumph broke from tlio lips of Dujardiu. " And are you indeed that escaped murderer ? How for- tune plays into my hands! As I live, this is the best hour of my life. The city is surrendered, the English are already pouring in ; but they will not be in lime to save your life. Down with them, boys ! You shall die before her eyes." Conrad's eyes brightened when the villain said the city was surrendered. Springing to the wall, he touched a spring, and a huge panel slid down. Out of the opening came the greeu- coated rangers, and drove back the motley group in the room. But, they were not quick enough to prevent the strife between Despard and Dujardin. All the wrongs which had be heaped upon him, all the bitterness often years, gave strengt to the spy's arm and keenness to his eye. When the French surged back before the rifles of the ran- gers, Dujardin lay face upward on the floor, and Despard stood above him, looking fixedly into the evil eyes, upon which a film was fast coming. The feud of years had been otOxied for at length. Despard extended his hand and said : " There lies niy deadly eneniy. Gentlemen, from this day forget that I have been called Despard, the spy. I am Charle* Armand, whoni he hunted, almost unto death. Frenchmen^ I was accused of murder. Speak before you die, Muriot : did I kill that man in France ?" " No," said Dujardin ; " I did it. Farewell, friends and foes. I die as I lived, the friend of France, the enemy of England. But my pride Is broken, since Wilton and Terese are here to see my fall. Jesu Maria — pardon — my sins." And, kissing the cross of his sword, he fell back and e.v pired. The French soldiery slunk away, for the hearty English shouts which sounded in the street apprised them of the en- trance of the foe. For, oh that day, the 8ih of September, 1760, the Marquis Vaudreull signed the capitulation of the city and the whole province of Canada, which passed fw^vear from Canadian rule. . ,, , , , ^ -►,. A DOUBLE WRDDINO. W The story draws to a dose. Charles Armaml, Dcspard no longer, by the aid of the great wealth ^v!lich was his, and which he had converted into jewek before his condemnation in France, had been enabled to perform well his work in Montreal. It had come to a happy fruili(m. In a few days there was a double wedding at the cathedral. The principal officers of the provincial portion of the army attended, and many of the regulars, to attest the high regard in which they held the whilom spies, Despard and Wilton. Two more beautiful brides had never stepped over the mar- ble floors. The party returned to Anselnio*s house, where the marriage- feast was given. In the midst of the revelry, Despard ex- cused himself for a moment. Shortly after, Anselmo entered, and took Pespard's place by the side of Terese. Some of ^jPj^nvited guests looked a little startled, but .Vnsclmo rose ^ JHr was about to speak, when Terese rose also, and giving I ^ne white hair a sudden tug, it dropped to the floor, and Des- pard stood revealed 1 Most of those present knew the story ^ of Anselmo, and a shout was raised which made the rafters of the old house tremble. " Friends," said Charles Armand, " Dcspard's work is done • Anselmo goes to his grave •, but Charles Armand thanks you from his heart and welcomes yon to his roof." They remained in Canada. Conrad continued with the master he loved, until death called him home. Wilton and p^ his beautiful wife went to New York, and settled near Albany. J|*Once in two years they made a journey to Montreal, and ia the intervening year received the Armands at their own home. JS0 friendship of the families became historical, in the two i^m^ovinces. ti<*« »A,. -"f TEm END. M 1 BEADLE'S DIMS HCUOOL AND EOMH HANDBOOKi. DIME DIALOGUES, No. 1. Mratlnir "f tli« Miiwii ; or th« C'r«/u iiiiir ''f Flnr ruce Nlchtiii(riile. Foi iilii* voiiiij; Imdf". 1 aaM)'* Coronation. For uiul« »ul>iiiff. Fur tivD unml'.era. 'I'll* ^r<•rl■l of Sui If**, tor llirpe rnHli! nj'onfciT*. ,<, Youur Aiiiei'ii'n. For tItraM mal)^* uiid twu teiiiulM,.*' The rH'iiliiiy of t.'iK Kmpreai Jo»fiiliiiie, For (ouf l«in»lrK ai<(l on < iiinlB, lliii Follv of iliii Duvl, Fortlire* male tfiuaken. DoK-iiiatliiiii, For thr«« mala tpvHkart, Tlif Year't reckouinc Fur vclva famalr* aod rxie iiiri i«, Tlia Vlll»|;e wit on« Omilwuui, F<» aigbt (»• iiihIc* anU on* ir . i«b a Tlta Oetilua of Llbarty. laiiiale. rincl Ceok. A Htunoroos Colloquy, M two uialak, > yaaterpiece. A Dramatic Charade, For two males and two feuiaiae. The Two Romans, A Colloquy ea costubA, Ftt * two males. The Same, Sacond Pcene, For two irukle<,ik -,' "1 Showing the White Feather. A Farce. Fo? ftmf males and one fauiale. The Battle Call, ARMlUtire. For one »•!• DIME DIALOGUES, No. 4. 1m> Frost King. A Scenic Drama. For ten or more |>ersoua Starting In Lifs. A Petite Faroe. For three males and two females, f iiith, Hope, and Charity, A Colloquy la verse. For three little gtris. Darbv and Juiin. A Miner Drama. For two males and one female. rha Mat. A Floral Fanrv. For sis little girls. The Elorhantad Princess. A Burlesqae Dlvertlsee- nient. For two mala* and several females. Tiouor to whom Honor is Due. A Colloqur. Fo' seven males and oiia famale. f iirenelogy. A Diacuaaion. For^twentj malas. The Stubble(owii VolunUier. A Farce, For three male* and one fer\ s and a teacher. I several buys, (xaminatiou I'ay at Madame Savante's. A droll Two Ideas at Lifa. A Colloquy. For tea (IrU. EpiHoda. Eur several famaU cliaructers. jRxtracl from Marino Fa I iero. fraJing id " Trnps." A sarie~coniLc passage. Mn-try-monay. An Acting Ckande. A Pwrlar For several mala cbaraetera. fbe School-Boys' Tribunal A Draaatie Epi- sode. For ten or mora boya. IFluit eeaiee •£ % Loom 'UM^pM. A DMMglie Drama. The Six Virtaae. For Six yoang ladiea. Fashionable Requirements. Fur three jrirla. ABevyofl'sCeyea.) Far aiciHlk ar laM, UtUa ■ BXADLK'S DIMK SCHOOL AXD nOME RAim-BOOEa. n« Vr»y lh«T Kf i>t A JWr*!. For mtm fenmlir; Tti* Pn«t un(i«r PlflirnhUi. For flvn dwIh. Willfalin 1 •! I. For t% whole •chool. Woiiian'i ItiifhU. For Mven fe.itAlet iind tw< mal**. „ _ . « All !• not GoM that Cllttari. For thrM lenmlrH Mid on« uih1i<. Tku U«a*r>7va J«w. fw (Ix nmlM. DIME DIALOGUES, No. 6. ,., Kor thrc* fiimK)H und ont malt. Sdpmlnif. r Tlitf Tw'i C«ii8 to Life too Soon. A Hutnorou* PatMiga. For thrve male*. The '^UIokImi. a Colloquy. For two male*. ElRht O'clock. A Llttl* GlrU' CoilMjny. For How to tiet Rid of a B<>r*. A School Drama, two little children. For »«vurBl Uoyi. True Digiiitv. A Collos^ay. Far two boy*. ardlnfr-Srbool Acenm]>lbVmeBt9. A School. 47 rief too £ixpen»lve. 'A Colloquy. For tw« Drama. For two male* and two fenmle*. iimle*. tbf Pledge. A Colloquy. For two|H«nilet and the 6he*t. A Barletqn*. For tw« p«nt0D«. Dram-Drinking, A Colloquy. For^ Little Red Rldlnf^ Hood. A Nuriery L«**oa, For two female*. Col rer*. . A iU For two fMiinle*. ltttrl««qu«. For umneroo* A New ApplicHtion of an Old Rule. A CoUoqahd Paiange. For two hoyi and one cirl. Colored Coualu*. A " Colored " Collo^ajr. For two male*. f ^II«etloB ^f original School and Parlor Colloqnl**, Drama*, Commedlettni, Burleaqu**, Pupil^i,, adapted for any ita^^e, platform or room, each book containing one hundred ISmo. pagM. r*U|pPy all n*w*d«al«n ; or lant, po*l-pald, to any audre**, on receipt of pric«, t«n cent* oach. '^^ BEADLE AND COMPANY, P«klUh»r«, M WUlUm *tr**l, M. 1. ><*%*:; .,*■ •f'.* <=»■. ;v-' "^ ■ . * t» • A- 7. .^I'i- , ■. , i ' '■I 1( % .$■' ■# .*" ■/. •■% ■■ ,M ^t *«'5 .-V- ;.,?!•».*•; . / -rA^iK'vv %j( i '' H>-: ■■ .« y lSCIAX>JL.li:*» I>I]Ml!2 SOPifO LJOOli. J^^-, GAT AND HAPPY BONGBTER-No. il. An hour at C. Pfirk. \ n« kind tuiUor N«)t| Before I wM iiinrrliMi, Brintr in« h bitqiiKt, Can there b« liariii t Colli*, lit b««t(1« me, riii«, Hh vowpiI lie iievnr, jleartt HiiH hiMiiei, I'm lliinklni.', Juhn, jNnet'e liridxl, KiM me whll« Cm, I^>veil H« liuu'ii, SUvp, my dimr one, Sliiiiibcr, my diirliiifc. Solon Slili S 'IIKt OilU \ 8 i-'iirr or In tknif of a bit Si'inf of c.>ncii. "ni , Mritily rontldenli.il ; *« Tl.nbov«llmt," " The KInnlKltit," TliH littlu blue eyed Tliu loKt one, [boy, The patter of the ralii, The wnTiderii here *• only i'linea liiivtt < i'ol.l III the I Trip lltrhllv, U nil. \\\\''[\\. We'll K.i .vli ^^■|Ii yoii 'iitv| Ym.l(«i; ^*l»'l Yohii Si,hiiil< Yuur iiiluio m CROIUf'ET 8ON0BTEn-No. 19. Daurhter.IwllldrlnIi Deiir fitlivr, cume, DellH Snow, Do not liewl her, Diiwn at the itnte, Fur from home. U.iod by. tweuthnnrt, I come, my rhild, I lovvd liiiii Hi iir»t, I'll meet thee, I'll never tor);et thee, I'm a twill. I'm waitinir, Iiidepcndviit girl, Isn't il iirovoitiMg, J«iiiiiii .tune, Juiiiiy 1. ' the mill, Ji'niiy who livuii in, J«««ic, the belle. Little Lixzie Leu, Mnriruerite, My bliit^-»vod Jennie Notliiii); vine to do, My thou^lita. Oh, 1^1 ve me back, Over the lea, Over the mow, Ovrfr the wall, 8ln|{ tn me iiotily, Susiiir* story. The birth 01 Krin, The boiiiiie cotta((e, The brook, I he cot in the corner. The cuckuo's iiotoe. The Dutch The Kirit of The K<>Oit-b)| T Tlie ■."irdeii"" * Th«oiar.wers,[teiiri Linked with many Little Fanchon. Lottie's all the wor'd MHbel, [tome, Miigeie's secret, Mr. Lordly and I, Muither coinplate. .Mv home on the hill, New heartland faces, NliiKiira fulls, Nora of Cnhirrlveen, Now I lay me down, Oh, Louie Is Diy fair, Paddy BInke's echo, Piissinf^ my door, PiniiiK for tha old fireside, Pretty little Sarah, Qunrier to one, Sally Ann's away. She can win and lool Sour erapes, [n({r!iph, bamrockof Ireland, The upper ten, ; The Ti>mm>' Two iieni Walk, wal. WalK'tfdiwnU^ Whiit Nnrah sni When ifriinilm^ Why not 1 [none, ■Wiiikliilf lit me, Woiimn is JJ"'"? t* Y'hea\nB ho I [vuta, BOUND ' .UME 80N6STERS. Beadle's Dime Sohr Books, Noe. 1. 9, 3, 4 , 0, ., 8, 9. • ue volome, muslin bindtn », - Price One Dollar. Beadle's Dime Song Books, Nos. 10, 11, 1? -y^l, '6. V ' '. 18, one volume, muslin biiidinp, Price One Doilar. Beadle'e Dime Pocket Soniirsters, No8._lj 2,l>,thr..Vi«' /oluiiie,iai)»Iia birfding, - . Price Thirty Cents. ^' Beadle's Dims Pocket Songsters, Kos. ' h, 6, in one volume, m'lsl' '(''ding, • • Pries Thirty C«Dta> •old by all Newsdealers j or s«nt, Pi <-pa»" Jo any address, ot errtpi of price, by '^ B&ADLE AlTD CO PA.?: Y, PabUdh«n» l#L WUUmi fttr««t. Hvm Tarib ■■^-. ^■- Th* wiindrri il«r«!'» Hilly riiiia^t liavtt • <'"M III tliu ( • . Trip lljfhilv. »i I \\ nil, iiivvlli ' VV;»MI uoWli ^^'11 i yoii iiiv ^^'11 i yoii |iiv I '»'•'• '(1 ed YiihkBi; <»ii>i, ' „ J, )y, Y.))in S.,hinl(t,, J- I' kill, Your ini»iioi»r f Tha DiifeJi r Tlif ({Irl* o|: The (t'lod-bf Tim '."irdiiii" CONTENTS. A . Tl,,«.ldttn,| .. . -^^^^ BATTLE- A T>^ wbj ,;;; , r , i . „ ^ ^^AD LETTER • Cit>i r^^ ^^- ^^^^^; One Year aho . ^^i-i^stbatbd.* ^ V. WHATr.^. ^«araoo. a Poem. j vvif AT CONSTITUTED tot. , .<|S- ^HE REALIZED J ■ : '"''«™*^«». Tfliry a Thrn'e til To-mom r. y r^ARr, FISHERIES. TOM'S WE: A SWB^ MV EVERY.DAY PATHS, i «'«iU..Kt., r ^. "^' ■«■ «TORr. W»np|„^6l,U ^"^^Y PATHS T J Wed .M,,te.l, \.TTVnT>^T.^ ^-l^S. L J SS.Z"g3»\^°''^yED MAN. «'''^«ACT«R, ,^ « [ Th. w ! Toinmy I Two iisfiiis^ Walk, witl. Wall; 'ir down Whnt Norah When If rail Why 1.01 f [i,;,n«; ■' " liildiijf lit nif, i Y'l»»ia\iB ho I [vuta, - Price One T>o!liir, ig, Pric« One Doilnr, Price Thirty C«nt«. Price TUirty C«ot& ^^OTES: OK ROOKS. M...„„ ■{Pies «,?.oo per year Tr, , I ' : ;:.. t:;o\ ^^""^ '^'^'''^^ by the 'ih 1 U: 1, •>"iO ^ >di>u(l ^ and i.ooksellers Prf«« ^ 8 ■ illiam Street, Kew York I / BEA^IDLE'S / oandard Dime Publications.- 1 :«. '1. n. n. 7. H. it. 10. 11. vz. v.\. n. n Ih. yi. 24. a-). •2(5. 27. 2.S 2!». 8(.. 31. 82. :w. 3(). 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 4!>. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. .56. 57. .58. 5!>. m. NOVELS. 'I'Ik! |'riviifi'cr'rt('rul>'c. Mvni. niil(l»»rA(l('i)t,"ii. Alice! Wilde. Tin- (i()l(l«'ii licit. <'lii|», till' <'iiv(-<'liil(l. The Kfcd'cr (•f'7(». Sclli .idiic-*. The Shivc Snilptor. TIk! Uickwoods' Uride. VrisoiTr ofl-iiViiitrc^f^HO Itill niddon. Tnippi'f. ('(•d.ir Swamp. The Kiiu'iMld Nocklncc. 'I'lic Kroiiticr Aii,;(;l. I'iicl(! F>,('ki('l. M;id-'«! Wyldc. Nut Todd. MaHHasoit'rt Dnnixldcr. Kl.)rin of tlni Miami, (iodbidd, tlie Spy. The WroiiL' Man. TIu; Land-Claim. UnioniHt'rt I)augh'r,20c. The Hunter's Cabin. Tiio Kind's Man. TheAlb-ns. A}j;iioH Falkland. Esther. Wreck of the Albldn. Tim linmble,'!A Chiirv'C. Oononioo, the Huron. The (^old IJuuters. The lilack Shij*. The Tw«) Guards. Siuizlo Eye. HatcB and TiOvc''. Mvrtle, Child of Piairlo. oft' and On. Ahmo's Plot. The Sut. Th(! Mad Huntei'. Kent, the Hanger. .Jo Daviess' Client. 2 03 Kairh; Eye. The Two Hunters. 'i'he Mystic Canoe. The (Joldcn Harpoon. HI. The Seminole Chief. .s5. The Fuiritivea. lied Pimm;. On the Deep. Captain Molly. Star Eyes. ( 'ast Away. The Lost Cachc.^.. The Twin Scoutfl. The Creole Sisters. 01. The Mad Skipper. 05. Eph Peters. 93. FICTION. 1. The Marked Bullet. 2. The (Outlaw Brothers. 3. The Willini,' Captive. ■ ■1. The Deiir Hunters. 5. The JMcotah (iucen. 6. Missinir .fo. 7. Gottlieb Gottsoock. 8. Prairie Chick. 0. IJovinif Ben. ilBRARY. 1. Whltfe-Paced Pacei 2. Blackii'inithof Ant>Aerp 3. The Maiden [Martyr. 4. ThcLVyjiiint. 5. The ( .ountry Cousin. 6. The Messenger. MEN OF THE TIME. K BIOGRAPHIES. 1. Garibaldi. 2. Daniel Hoone 3. Ivit Carson. 4. Anthony Wayne. 5. Duvid . Melodist. School Melodist. FAMILY SERIES. 1. Cook Book. 2. Recipe Book. 3. Housewife's Manual. 4. Family Physician. 5. Dressmak';r& Millinery. POPULAR HAND-POKS. lAitter-Writer. , '" * BookofEt"....n;*^--^ Book of V j»tw :t.1 l.o, Book f .'Vhiit»hall tiiV ,, , „_ "f 1 Wr'icn we were HAN" I V\-aer« the 1^ ^.^ fX ' ** mm>* RU bonil, I Twii liaail" [door. Walk, wnlC' trir.K •it ti.e Wall. V down llT"^^ e boot-b!iick, Wh:il Nnrali liaiiF^'V^^ ihurrli choir, When t'i'aiiiliim ^^^ ii-ttTiii'ler, Why noil [uono, t'i({r;iiih, ■ WinMiiif ut nif, »'*ck of Ireland, \V(iiimii ji (j.iine to |iiTteu, ; Y'lleQ^-B lio I [vote, 1. Ilalleck.Pope.Siejiel.ctc 2. Banks,Butliir;,Bal