THE GOLDEN TRESS: A TALE OF LOVE AND CRIME.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 43, 20 February 1886, Page 3

THE GOLDEN TRESS: A TALE OF LOVE AND CRIME.

B y FORTUNE DU BOISGOBEY,

mihorof "Old Ago of Monsieur Locoq," "Tho 1 Severed Hand." "The Crime of the Opera House," Sec

CHAPTER VII. THE ENGLISH TAVEIIN. Saktii__ had left tho club in a slato of tcitement difficult to express; ho seemed decidedly unfortunate, ns all that ho undertook turned ngainat him, and having gono to the club with the firm intention of divertin,, himself, ho loft it furiously angry ff ith the members of it, as woll as himself, _nd to mako it worse, he had got into a quarrel of the most unpleasant kind. It was not tho prospect of tho duel that disquieted him so much, but nt this momont his greatest interest was not to be spokon of. He knew that this affair would bring him before the public; besides, it had an nriein that the Viscount dreaded to have known, connected as it was with Roger's disappearance ; and ho also felt tbat bis friend's absence imposod upon him a heavy reaponsi bility, as ho had not tho riirht to expose hia life when there was so much at Btnke. But it was too late now to Sink of this, and Sartilly saw no moans of avoiding a meeting; upon the whole, ho was not eorry to fight with a f riond of the odious De Noreff, hoping to avenge himself upon Mm whilo waiting to reach the real criminal, and oven longed for the next day to come to haveitover. rln the paroxysm of his anger, he had forgotten completely that ho hod gone to his Hub todin6, and had rushed out like a crazy bereon to the Boulevard, gome* straight forWd without knowing where ho was going, tty forte ol habit he took tho way to the Madelione, which led to hia homo ; ho know if d 0 well he could havo gono with his eyes shut to the rue d'Astorg. But this ovoning, preoccupied as he was, he passed thoro with out noticing it, and went on to tho faubourg St Honor., the faubourg Do Roulo, and from there to the Avenue dosTerneß It wss about eight o clock; tho night was dark and cold j a fine rain, mingled with thin flakes of snow, was falling, and a fow nassers-by that Sartilly saw were hurrying alone, drawing their great-coats tightly around them. This part of Paris, now built un with luxurious houses, was thon a solitude Ja succession of badly-paved Btreets, and so dimly lighted that after night it was almost dangerous to ventruo there. Sartilly had passed tho barrier Bomo timo before, running rathor than walking, observing nothing that was passing around him, a _dthis sonselesspromenade might havecontinned through the night, if he had not by chance got into a dark, badly-paved blind alley, which obliged him to retrace his steps (a find an issue. ' This Bimple act exacting an etlort of will, brought the Viscount toaconsciousnoss of his actionß,andforgettingforaninstanthisplans, and the combinations that absorbed him, beean to wonder why he was here, and why he had come to this deserted part of Paris. After a moment's reflection, he understood that ho had completely lost his way, and at thesame timehis mind becoming clear again, hia physical wants made themselves felt, and he was obliged to acknowledge that he was eitremely hungry. His first idea was to take a carriage to return to Paris, but be looked round and listened in vain, neither , seeing a carriage, nor hearing tho least sound : of wheela; it really eoemed as if he were ' in a small village. As he felt horribly ; fatigued, rather than return again on foot ( and fasting over the long route ho had jußt , taken, he preferred trying to find io tho j neighbourhood a tavern whore ho could eat and rest himself, even if it were a very com- j mon one.

After going about a hundred paces over these rough paths, he cut into a rather largo avenue that seemed familiar to him, and at a short distance toward tho left he discovered a lantern whoso rather vacuo light he welcomed in his distress aa a h.ivon of safety, and walkod on without hesitation toward the luminous point, which was bofore the open door of a garden. Chance had been propitious to Sartilly ; tbo lantern gavo sufficient light for him to read the sign on tho wall, printed in large white letters, "English Tavorn," and beneath he read this pleasant notico for a hungry man; "Palo ale, porter, Irish whisky, York hams, roast beef."

This list of drinks and eatables was a pleasant surprise to the Viscount, who proWed infinitely going to an English establishment than to one of those miserable! cook shops that he expected to find in this part ol Paris. Taverns of this kind, bo common now, were rare at this epoch, and were very seldom seen but in special quarters. Tho proximity of the Champs Elya.oa and the Bois de Boulogne brought to tho Ternes a class of grooms and English jockeys, which was the cause of this establishment prospering in a solitary avenue. Sartilly hastily crossed the garden, and went into the tavern, which was built of wood in tho form of a cottage, and although there certainly had not been much monoy spent in its construction, yet many guests could be seen through its brightly-lighted windows.

As soon as he pußhed the folding-door open, he found himself in such a cloud of smoke that it was impossible for him to mst-ngniah anything. Gradually, however, his eyes became accustomed to the obscurity, and he perceived that the owner of thq establishment had followed the English fashion, even to his interior Wrangements: the longand only room being divided into narrowcompartmente, separated by a board partition, seven or eight feet high; each stall, ot box as it was called in London.being furnished with stable orbench fist could accommodate three or four persons, and opening on the central passage. And this isolation, bo dear to the islanders, was complete, as they could neither see their neighbours nor be seen by them. Sartilly finding a compartment free, went into it, after ordering a slice of ham and a flaw of ale, which was brought to him promptly, and immediate payment deeded, according to the English fashion, no hastened to satisfy his appetite, doubly JMfpened by his long walk ; but in proportion as he recovered his strength, his JMieties, for an instant forgotten, returned » Mm, and he waa puzzled to know how he jonld manage to meet the notary at MademoiselledeMensipnac's-visitthe mysWrtons bookcase, when he would probably Mje to arrange with his seconds tho conations of his duel. A noiso of loud voices wmingfromtheneighbouring compartment, mr him from these reflections, for although ™° I ™. Uawereperfectlyprivate, conversation muu be heard from one to the other. The vucountwonld not certainly havepaid uontothßchattingofsomegroomswhooccum probably the next stall, had ho not been _*_?.-? a '"-"•M peculiarity, as they wernately and even simultaneously spoke ?___? ,a "Kaagf »' English and French he __». very weU> and he recognised the ___fj v g?? ge t0 •» German It even '__~ „ *° h- m, that he had heard the Ger-mm-I^J 16.* 6- whicn -nade hi" ""ten M__,, ly> n waa an °dd dialogue, 2. .\ V_°°.. n* could »owoe*y »<-dern_ft_ _*_d beßldes' the commonplace re__S did not interest him ; but after a Be«__ii m 9 can? ht B°me worda that B*med to relate to bfg situation. well" _.Bay' th. D' thß*he managed it vory '•i-_ U .? ur6d tneFrench voice. EngS y Wel1' mdeed>" was the reply in GenSill 8] 0!.8 6xP-anation was given by the '■T__ roars of laughter. ««_B__ fa P0™1"1' our maßtor'" _X_. he same time the nret two

.a_f_.,_ *6 had not th'B cursed nobleman IBift theEngliahman, "the #Sw^.'? ,ready 'Sndt,iegirl voiwnfePo^ German •" a threatening inKW'. a« d v tho .rench voic° aa-d, laugh •* bWseVn?_ fe _ow' are anery wit, h fonder i!._Pla yed y°u a famous trick .0. hadl J_l_ , morQing, you know. Woll, «_" rem..!, j* _"* of him very soon, you Bh«.a-s2f th\ Kn&lißhraan* after* a •>»thn_k_. r fT German. " I ask Sr_ Br!>tiE what way?" . ?? re wordß Perfectly mit i£t h _ 6t2him; then nothing more; ne_*Wh_. _S_ suPP°*«-d his three firtrSi. adMddemy*eft. •"■PP. ehaiL 8 _r_ rised > he wondered if a of*ecrSi had. notPut him on the track Wise hfa W? 1 a- A sli. ht «>o*se made him t-ngnish ___ a 1,.6 tEought he coulddis--0T «f the _-_ e _ the Bmol*o that hovered .Wye thfi _ .*.? ad Poking at him from *"*<• a nL?. rt- t,on' and he »ot up to °ne' ■>< &_J&' ?ut- if ™0 any ". <rtty t_s_? 8_?!. witb so prodigious a deceit, hat Stilly thought he had been W" thil «_f M watched and recognised ? nw the cause of the profound silence

that had teken tho place of an animated conversation ? He was very much perpelexed, and listened in vain; nothing moro could be heard. This uncertainty ended by irritating him ao much that ho docidod upon imitating tbe manoeuvre of his neighbours, and mounting upon his chair with great precaution, he put his head abovo the boards, and found the stoll, so noisily occupied a few moments before, empty. The dieappearance of these men seemed to him like a flight; and they must have had serious motives to interrupt their conversion in this manner, aa people of thatistomp, thought the Viscount, do not give up the ploasure of an evening at a tavern from caprice or fatigue, and if they had run away, it waa through fear of being overheard. But after all, thoir conversation was not very compromising; but there must bo a particular reason for their sudden flight, and Sartilly, romemboring tho hoad that had shown itself tor a moment above tho partition, understood it all. "They must have recognised mo," ho thought, and wore afraid of boing rocognised in return." '

Vory much puzzled by thiß new mystery, Edmond resolved to cloar up his doubts immediately by calling tho waiter, who, as usual, was in no hurry to como, ond when ho did come, it was to offer him all tho drinks of tho establishment, with so much volubility that tho Viscount had somo troublo in stopping him and making known his wish.

Do you know tho persons who woro hero n short timo ago ?" ho said to him, pointing out tho neighbouring stall. " Do you think I occupy myself with the people who come hero ?" ho answered, insolently. " No, no ; I have something else to do, and provided they spend their money, that's all 1 caro for."

And then, beginning again in tho monotonous voice of a waiter at a cafe, ho said : "What shall I bring you, air? Porter, pale alo, whisky—" Sartilly folt inclined to give a lesson to tho insolent sorvant, bnt aB ho dosircd above all things to gain information, ho took a five-

franc piece from his pockot, and showing it to the waiter in a significant manner, said : " I thought I recognised the voice of ono of my frionds-; but ho loft so quickly that I had not time to speak to him. I will givo you this if you can toll me if it woro he."

Tersuadod that his offer, which ho considered very adroit, would havo a good effect, ho was astonished to recoivo a still ruder reply, as tho waiter, shrugging hisshouldere, answered sneoringly : " Ab.no. You cannot catch mo in that way ; you must look to some one else : and besides, my master does not want persona of your atamp here," he added, turning on his heels. Sartilly, stupefied at hearing tho fellow answering in this mannor, and refusing money, thought he must bo dreaming, when it Buddenly occurrod to him that ho perhaps was taken for a police-agent, nnd ho would never be ablo to draw anything from him. Ho was confirmod in his suspicion on hearing tho waiter giving an account of his conversation with him to his master, and also heard him aay : ""Ah ! but he is a sharp ono, coming hore in an overcoat trimmod with fur, and wearing varnished boots, to got mo to toll him what I knew of his neighbours." Tho Viscount felt that it would not only bo useloss, but dangorous, to remain ; bosides, he could not hope to loam anything moro to interest him, nnd his supper being over and paid for, he went out through tho passage. The proprietor, who hold the outer goto open for him to pass, eyed him from head to foot, as if wishing to know him well enough to provent him over ontering his establishment; and tho Viscount could no longer doubt he was supposod to be a policeagent,—not being able to restrain a Bmilo at tho absurd mistake. Aftor a momont of gaiety, he fell back into his old reflections, taking again mochanically tho road to Paris. It was now past ten o'clock ; tho rain and snow had ceased falling, and tho stirs sparkled in the heavens; but it being a very long distance to the rue d'Astorg, Sartilly was quito determined not to go thore on foot; and hoping to find a carriage at tho Barri6ro de l'Etoilo, ns he wished to avoid the deserted streots by which he camo, he walked in the direction opposite, in order to take tho wide Neuilly avonuo.

The lamp at the tavern was the only light in this deserted quarter, and tho Viscount, pulling up his collar, and putting his hands in his pockets, walkod rapidly on to warm himself, whon, thinking ho hoard other steps than bis own, ho stopped, lookod round, and neither'henring nor seoing anything, belioved he was mistnkon, and began walking again at the same rapid rate to warm his benumbed feet. Ho ran bo fast that ho soon camo to tho end of tho avonuo, and could soo boforo him the houses at Bond Point, whon his foot slipping on a pioce of ice, ho fell, loosinir his equilibrium moro easily by his hands being in bis pockots.

Hurt and angry at his ridiculous fall, ho got up muttering, and saw distinctly two men coming diroctly toward him. Thoy woro about thirty paces behind him on the other sido of tho way, and their appearanco had boen so Budden, it seemed as if thoy had sprung from the ground ; and Sartilly knew that his fall had decided thorn to show themselves, ns they hoped to find an easy prey in a prostrate man. This thought restored all his vigourandskill.and judging it useless and dangerous to strugglo alono and unarmed with two armed brigands, he began again his rapid walk. He at least expected te meet in tbis more frequonted part of the town, passers-by, open housos, and be ablo to rid himself ot these men who were following him ; but on arriving at tho Rond Point, he thought that ono of them had disappeared, and he wondered if he had abandoned the chase, or if it were a mamouvre to cross his way. The Viscount, however, felt very little uneasiness now while running on, us he thought he must meet somo passers-by very soon ; and he was trying to imagine who these persona would be, whoso bad intentions could no longer bo doubted but whoso animosity he could not oxplain, when it euddonly struck him that they must bo his neighbours in the tavern, and the idea was not disagreeable to him, as he wishod to find out who they were. He had nothing to defend himself with, not even a cane, and it seemed to him impossible but noises must be hoard in tho houses that bordered tho street, .and now his desire wob so great to see the aggressors that he almost feared they would abandon tho pursuit; nevertheless, no one could bo seen on the avenue, nor a solitary light in tho houses ; when making a short cut to tho Rond Point, on arriving at the angle of a narrow street, a man stood before him, and at tho came instant a club, whistling and turning in the air, fell upon him.

Edmond was. light and agile, bis English education had given him great suppleness of body and unusual vigour, and to these qualities might be attributed his partial escape from the blow, as with great presence of mind and strength, he mado a sidelong motion, so that the blow that would have broken his skull only reached his shoulders. The club had certainly beon brandished by a well practiced and strong hand, for the Viscount staggered under the blow, and he felt so keen a pain that he thought his arm was broken ; however, he did not lose a moment, as his situation was critical, for the villain lurking in tho corner of the Btreet was raising his club for a second blow, while his accomplice was running with all his speed to attack Sartilly in the rear ; therefore the only method left him was to divide the forces of the enemy, as he would be lost if -he gave the other brigand time to arrive, and he might escape if he could rid himself first of tho man with tho club. So, with a movomont quicker than thought, he bent down, fixing himself firmly on his legs, pushing his head forcibly against the man's breast ; and this feat, that ho had learned from the Breton peasante, did not fail in its effecr, as the club which had again threatened him swung through the empty air ; and his opponent, struck violently in his breast, was thrown against tho wall of the alley. Sartilly, not giving him time to recover his breath, clasped his throat violently with his hands. He already heard a rattling in the wretch's throat, but he had not fallen ; his accomplico was near, and in a few seconds moro this unequal combat would have taken a fatal turn for tho Viscount, when an unhoped for chance changed tho face of the fight, as at the moment whon this newassailant was in search of him a door opened on the other sido of tho avonuo-the door of a tavern, doubtless, and from it rushod out men, full of wine, singing and laughing, and tho fellows, fearing without doubt the intervention of thesedrunkards, ran away as fast as possible. His companion, abandoned in this manner, waa conquered, as Sartilly had only to tighten his hold on his neck to throw him down half strangled. He felt, nevertheless, he had not a moment to lose in gaining a place of safety, another attack being very possible, as the two villains were probably not alone. But he did not wish to leave without examining the man he had thrown down, wanting to; know whether thrs nocturnal attack had beon made by his neighbours in the tavern. The brigand was not dead, but breathed heavily, as a half-strangled man recovering his breath ; the important thing was to see

- his face, but it was not easy to do so, as the , pale light the stars gave was quite ineuffiI cient to enoble him to [distinguish ths features of his vanqnished foe. In the wide i avenue thete was more light, but it i would be (both difficult and imprudent to draw the body there. The Viscount knelt . down, examined tho man closely, and was convinced he had never seen him before. He waa a tall, strapping fellow, with closely-shaved beard, and whiskers out brush fashion ,* was young, and strongly built; this was all that Sartilly could distinguish in the darkness. Neither did his dress point out his occupntion ; it was clean ; his coat wag of dark coloured .loth, and he wore a cap upon his head. He might be a mechanic in easy circumstances, or a groom in a citizen's dress,—a groom, the Viscount thought, from tho other side of tho channel; and his opinion was merely founded upon his wearing a vest of an English cut. To remain hero any longer would be perilous to Sartilly, therefore he picked up hie hat, and turning his face homeward, determined not to mention this affair to anyone but Jottrat. He was very much exhausted, and feeling a severe pain in his shoulder, he longed to reach bis house, that ho might see if tho brigand's blow had caused a fracture; so ho jumped in the first caniago ho met, and in twenty minutes reached the rue d'A.torg, He croseed the court-yard rapidly, and whilo mounting tho staircaso, he saw the stablo opon and lighted, and being both surprised and displo. sed at seeing a light there at this hour, ho drew near and recognised Toby, who seemed busy examining Ralph's foot. On hearing a noise the groom turned round quickly, and seemed very much astonished at seeing hia master, bocamo extremely pale,and Sartilly thought ho trombled slightly. "Why are you not in bed?" he naked, angrily ; "and what aro you doing in the stable at night ?" " Sir, you know that Ralph was injured the other day," answered Toby, who had already recovered his self-possession, " nnd doctor had ordered mo to rub bis foot three times a day with this ointment." " I forbid you to do it ot night, running the risk of sotting the stable on fire I" said Sartilly without examin-ng particularly whatbis groom was doing. " Send Antoino to mo immediately, and go to bod. I will want you early to-morrow morning; and bo ready, for I do not like to wait." After this reproof, the Viscount ran up to his room, hastily undressing himself, and old Antoino, from whom ho had no secrets, found him whon ho camo into the room examining his Bhoulders ; the skin was nob broken, but it was stiff and bruised. It was really a most unfortunate accident, happening the night before his duel, and Sartilly, who in the midst of his nocturnal adventuros had forgotten his quarrel at tho club, remembered now with some anxiety that perhaps he would have to fight the noxt day.

" Oh, sir," said Antoino, " what has happened to you .' " Nothing ; I bavo had a fall," Sartilly answered, absontly. Ho was reflecting at this moment on the probable consequence of his affair with M. de Dohna, and tho more ho thought of it, the moro impossible it Boomed that it could take place tbo next day. "In the morning," he thought, "I will see his seconds; they cannot see mine until the afternoon ; it will take somo time to make arrangements; therefore it cannot take place until tho day after to-morrow,Or perhaps the next day. I will havo time to see the notary, find tho History of Normandy in Roger's bookcase ; so I havo thirty-six hours before me to restore the strength of my shoulder." And this conclusion quite tranquillising him, he turned to Antoine, and asked him if anything had come for hiui during his absence.

" Yes, Bir ; here is a letter for you."

Ho took tho note, but the handwriting was unknown to him, and, breaking tbe seal with indifference, read :

Fir: After what has passed between us, you will not bo surprised at receiving a visit from my two secocda to-morrow morning. I beg that you will havo (he goodness to lot them know who yours are, ln order that our meeting; may take plaoo the samo d_y: a diplomatic mission given mo by my Government obliging not. leave Paris without delay. I desire that by to-morrow evening all may bo flnlshod. Respect, ully yours, Bakon de Dohna.

" Zounds ! but he is in a hurry 1" This was the oxclamntion that tho perusal of this note drow from Sartilly, and Antiono, hoaring it, did not ncgloct tho opportunity of speaking, for he had his privilogos, and ho liked to uso thorn.

Tho footman who brought tho note mado tho some remark ; he was a groat, strapping follow, with rod whi'kors, and with so strong a German accent that ono would think he was born at Strasbourg. " At what hour did ho come ?"

"About eight or half-past eight o'clock ; ho spoke first to Toby, who was coming Dut of tho stable to go out, as ho does now every evening." " Well, ho lias not lost much timo," murmured tho Viscount; "one might really think ho has divined what I havo to do tomorrow, and wishes to kill me quickly, to prevent my going to the Do Mensignao mansion. We will soo," he added, walking very fast up and down his room.

Woll skilled in tho uso of arms, Sartilly felt no apprehension os to the material result of a meeting with M. de Dohna ; but he felt annoyed at tbo delay and derangement tbis duol would cause to bis plans, and tbis anxiety betrayed itself in an agitation that did not escapo the eyo of tho faithful Antoine, accustomed' for thirty years to observe the physiognomy of his master.

"Havo you received bad bows, sir?" ho ventured to ask, on seeing the Viscount continuing his walk and muttering botwoen his teeth.

"No, my friend, no," he said, gently; " I havo a great many unpleasant affairs to accomplish to-morrow, and I am suffering a little,—that's all." Antoine shook his bead, for this vague answer did not satisfy him, —instinctively feeling, as he did, that somo danger threatened his master. "I hope," bo wont on timidly, "that if you have an affair of honour on hand, you will not think of fighting with your shoulder in the state it is, for it is very much hurt, and tomorrow your arm will be quito swollen." ," And what makes you think lam going to fight?" Sartilly asked, smiling. " If I had not guessed it," said Antoine, sadly, " I would havo learned it from Toby." " What, Toby ? What has ho to do with it, and who could havo told him ?" " Ho must havo heard itfrom that squareheaded footman who brought the note, for he told me that you had had a quarrel at the club, and that to-morrow—" " This is too much I" interrupted Sartilly, vory much irritated ; "and I shall turn Mr Toby out of doors." " Ob, he remained out as usual all the evening," replied Antoino, delighted ot having an opportunity of finding fault with tho groom; "he had just como in when you arrived."

"Very woll; I will attend to him tomorrow, and os ior you, my old Antoine, I have several commissions to give you in tho morning, and I want to bo awakened at eight o'clock." "But this duel, sir!—injured as yeu are I"

" Don't be uneasy; my hand ia still strong enough to give a lesson to this German ; and besides, if I am in too much pain, I will fight with pistols. Go to bed, and do not forget to call me at eight o'olock." Antoine left bis master with regret, and tho Viscount continued his walk, reflecting on the coming events of the next day. The first thing to be done was to choose his seconds, and in the absence of his best friend, Roger, be thought of applying to M. Chateaubrun, who had been present ot the quarrel, and even thought of asking him to chooßO another second amongst the officers of his regiment, that his meeting with M. de Dohna might not be much spoken of. Tho Viscount, therefore, before going to bed wroto a lettor to the captain, for Antoine to take early in tbe morning ; and in spite of the precise terms of M. de Donna's note, he concluded the day would bo spent by his seconds in arranging the conditions of the duel, so that he would have time to meet the notary at twelve o'clock,' at Mademoiselle de Monsignac's ; afterward make his search in the library, and in the afternoon have leisure to make his last arrangements. Of course, he could not decide upon anything before knowing his friend Roger's secret, for on this secret depended the instructions he muat leave. "Decidedly," he thought, on going to bed. " I Bhall be able to arrange every-

thing to-morrow, and even if M. de Noreffs defender insists upon it bo much, can meet him in the afternoon." And with this consoling idea, in spite of the pain in bis shoulder, he fell into that deep sleep that always follows violent emotions.

When he awoke in the morning, he saw Antoine standing by the side of hia bed, holding in hia hand a tray on which were two visiting cards, with names unknown to him; but understanding perfectly who they came from, he rose immediately.

" As soon as you have brought these gen tlemen in," he said to Antoine, while dress ing in great haste, " take this note to M, Chateaubrun ; wait for an answer, and re-

turn immediately, without losing a moment. Let Toby know that you are absent, and forbid him to go out." The valet, much more agitated than his master, took the letter, and then introduced the two persons, who from their appearance and actions Sartilly easily recognised as two Russians. They treated him from the first with a Btiff politeness, saying they had come merely to know the address of M. de Sartilly'a seconds, and expressed clearly M. de Dohna's deaire that the duel Bhould take place the same day. "Our friend also, having received the offence, domands the ohoico of weapons," eaid one of the Russians, to close the conversation. "That is the business of my seconds," Sartilly answered, rather disdainfully. "And I will conform to whatever M. de Chateaubrun decides upon." Aloneogain,theViscountfinißheddroßsing, and waited impatiently Antoino'sreturn. As this affair was going on so rapidly, he regretted not having notified Chateaubrun earlier, as he might be out, or prevented from acting by some neceasary service; but he was aoon reassured, as, in less than an hour after, Antoino brought the Captain's letter." It began: "I accept, my dear friend, and am waiting tho arrival of the Muscovite ambassadors; and De Brebnl, whom you know very woll, will act with me with pleasure We will do our best; swords, if we con manage it, and the Bois de Boulogne to-morrow morning, if thosavagoDe Dohna does not insist positively upon having tho meeting to-day. As soon as everything ia arrangod, I will como to you. I have your lettor, and know exactly what to do"" This note was very agreeable to Sartilly, and he felt quite satisfied. Ho had writton to tho Captain to moot him at the Do Mensignac mansion at twelve o'clock, and as he suffered vory littlo now from his arm, felt he could depend upon hia skill as a swordsman ; but ho was also on excellent Bhot, thereforo cared very little what weapon was chosen. He gavo his orders to Antoino not to leavo hia house until his return ; to have his carriage ready for him ot half-past eleven o'clock; wrote a fow lottors on personal affairs; put his deeds and family papers in order, and afterwards ate bis broakfast with a vory good appetite. Ho reserved hia last diroctions until his roturn, putting Roger's lettor into hie pocket, to servo as a guide in his visit to tho mysterious bookcase. Hohadnotforgottenhiscausciof complaint against Toby; but na he absolutely noeded his services for tho day, ho put off until tomorrow the reproofs ho had in store for him ; besides, tho groom, not seeming to think there was any causo for finding fault with him, was standing waiting for Sartilly in an irreproachable toilet, and while mounting bobind the cabriolet, his childlike faco rotaincd its habitual oxpression of mildness.

At 12 o'clock precisely the Viscount stopped his horso boforo the Do Monsignao house, expecting the notary's carriago at tho door, as his punctuality was proverbial; but it was not there. Another eurpriso awaited him, aa, at tho moment he was crossing the court-yard, the porter ran after him to tell him that Mademoiselle de Mensignac, being indisposed, wished to post pone tho interviow with the notary until tho next day.

Bather distressed at this disappointment, which deprived him of seeing Joanne tho day of all others ho wishod most ardently to speak to hor, but desiring to accomplish his other mission, ho wont directly to the library.

When he reached the mnaaive oaken door his heart beat violently ; his hand trembled when he touched the lock, for he knew he would again see the spot of blood, and bo thought sadly of tbe murdered woman. Tho noiso of the heavy brass key turning in the lock, awakened a prolonged echo in tho spacious room. It was only tho evening before that Sartilly had felt, in crossing this formidable threshold, a feeling of unutterablo fear ; but the timo for superstitious dread had passed, and phantoms are not thought of whon facing terrible realities. At this hour, alßo, tho gallery, lighted by a bright winter Bun, had the appearance of a museum, with its pictures, its amor, and old china shining on tho dark wood and tapestry.

Sartilly drew near ono of tho high French windows that looked upon tho Seine, and could not avoid gazing for an instant upon tho wondorful view ho had so often admirod with Rogor. Bolow him tho waters of tho Seine rolled slowly on, and their loadon coloured hue brought put strikingly tho dazzling whitonoss ol tho houses ol Passy, situated on tho sido of a hill. In tho distance tho largo forost of Meudon extondod its dark masses, intersected by tho clonr linos of the terroco and chateau. All breathed of busy life in this bright laudscapo. The manufactories of Grenelle Bent forth thoir clouds of emoko from their high rod chimnoys, standing up hero and thero

like Egyptian obelisks, and a hoavy steamtug raised with its whoels tho waters of the river that fell again in silvery cascades, and at tho end of tho plain n locomotive puffed forth its floating feather of grey vapour. This joyful movement contrasted bo Btrongly with the silence and aolitude of tho library that Sartilly unwillingly left the window, and it roquirod almost an effort to bring back his thoughts to tho objoct of his visit; but timo waa precious, and tho Viscount wished vory much to return homo boforo the duel.

In order not to be misled in hia investigations he again road Roger's lottor, which he had brought with him, and all the indications boing so clear and precise, Sartilly folt cure of easily finding tho hiding-place ; but he first must discover tbo bookcase De Mensignac had told him there was ono botwoon each window; at the first glance all soemod alike, and tho Viecount; examining them one aftor another, could detect no difference in thorn, and bogan to fear somo difficulty, when a v.ry simple idea occurred to him, that, although he did not romomber the oxtorior of tho bookcase that had formerly belonged to him, he hod not forgotten the hidden secret of the interior, and that he knew exactly tho placo whero he must touch the knob to movo tho spring, and discover tho double shelf.

Ho began, therefore, to open each piece of furniture successively, and saw with joy that tho koys wore in all the doors ; ho examined two without finding the spring, but as soon as ho oponod tho third ho remembered and recognised it. Roger's secret was thore, but, at tho moment of ponetrating it, Sartilly felt a singular uneasiness, as the scruples that had assailed him before breaking the soal of Roger's letter returned to his mind with redoubled forco. It seemed impious to violate this deposit, ond he hesitated a long timo beforo making the decisive movement; but at last, touching the spring, the bottom shelf went quickly back, displaying in the hiding-placo twenty large books, with red edged leaveß and antiquo bindings. All tho titles wero tho same, and the Viscount repeated twenty times, " History of tho Province of Normandy," and taking tho seventh volumo that DoMensignao had pointed out to him, he sat down with it at the large table in the middle of the library, and, placing the volumo before him, ho opened it. "Pago 119,19 th line," murmured Partilly, turning the loaves rapidly : and ho was about reaching the page where his friend's secret was contained in one sentence, when he hoard a gentle knock at the door, and on opening it was disagreeably surprised at seeing M. de Chateaubrun.

" Pardon me, my dear friend," said the Captain, " for disturbing you ; but they told me at your house that you were hero, and wo have not a moment to lose."

"You have doneright,"Baid the Viscount who never forgot his politeness; " but, first of all, I must thank you." *' You oan thank me this evening, but at this moment, there are more serious matters in question." " What are they, then? Does my duel seem so serious to you ?" "Oh no; the duel itself, I know, does not annoy you much, but it iB important for you to know the wishes and incredible pretensions of our Russians." " Nothing can astonish me that you can tell me about them."

"Well, everything was arranged according to our wishes. De Dohna had chosen awords himself, tho meeting was to take place to-morrow morning, at eight o'cleck ; the seconds had left and I was just stepping into nay carriage to give you an account of the interview, when my two savages camo back to tell me that, their friond being obliged to leave by post this afternoon, the meeting must tako place to-day." "He wrote to me yesterday, making the same statement; and after all it is not disagreeable to me to have it over soonor. I am going home, and at four o'clock will be at the Bois de Boulogne." " Oh, if it were to take place at four o'clock, I would not have fought against it as I have done. But this crazy Muscovite Bays he must start before three o'clock, and he wants to force us to be on the ground by two."

" But it is absurd; and affairs like thia are not managed in this manner. I have letters to write, arrangements to make, and absolutely refuse."

"I have said all thia, and many other thinga beside, but they would not listen. They told mo that M. De Dohna would be at the meeting place at two o'clock with hia

travelling carriage; that he would wait forty five minutes with his watch in his hand, and if you did not come by a quarter before threo o'clock, he would quit the placo." " Very well; a good journey to him !" " Wait! this is not all; his two seconds will be on the ground with him, and if you | do not come, they will draw up an official report after their fashion, and have it sent to all tho clubs." "Ah! is it ao?" said the Viscount, pale with anger ; " this miserable fellow wants me to kill him immediately. So be it. I warrant you that post-chaise will not take him to Russia." "Indeed, my dear friend," said the Captain, " I think you are right; but to refuse would be your right also ; no ono would blame you, as youhave given sufficient proofs of your courage. Perhaps it is better that all the wrong should be on tho side of theso brutes, but that will not prevont my saying two words to. morrow to ono of these rascally seconds—tho littlo one particularly, who has a name to make a horso sneeze, has displeased mo extremely, and I have a good lesson in rosorvo for him." "But we will have only time to reach thero," interrupted Sartilly, taking out his watch. "Plenty of timo; wo havo Btill threo quarters of an hour, and the pond of Auteuil is not two steps from tho Bois." "And our weapons?" " I was almost suro that you would not do him the favour of letting him wait for us, and I brought Da Brahal with mo, who is below in a carriage with two pairs of swords." "Lot us start, then !" The book that contained Roger's secret remained upon the table, and Sartilly thought nn instant of examining it, but he did not feel sufficiently composed to read and understand it. " It will be time enough this evening," he_ muttered, and Bhutting the bookcase quickly, took tho volume under his arm, to the profound astonishmont of the Captain, and wen. toward the staircase. " What aro you going to do with that old book?" asked De Chateaubrun, laughing. "la it the history of Russia that you want to road M. do Dohna on the field." "No," answered tho Viscount, "but when I havo killod M. de Dohno with my sword, I will kill thoso who sent him with this book," (To be Continued.)