Through the Wall
y. He knew that he would be followed and presently arrested, he knew this without even glancing behind him, he had understood the whispers and searching looks in the hotel; it was certain that his
the man turn to the right and drive on to the Rue de Vaugirard. He knew th
," he called out.
e young man had opened one of the inner pockets of the bag, drawing out a flap of leather under which a name was stamped quite visibly in gilt letters. Presently he took out a pocket knife and tried to scrape off the name, but the letters were de
creasing interest until presently Ki
d. "I'll fix you." And, drawing the two bla
, he wanted to have a look at Notre-Dame, three full miles away. The driver swore softly, but obeyed, and back they went,
gh narrow, dark streets, instead of by the straight and natural way, so that it was after midnight when they entered the Rue du Cloitr
important business here. There'll be plenty of time for him to get a drink." Then, with a
ame forward immediately from the second cab followed by Papa Tignol and a policeman. The shadowing dete
e is over," he flung out. "See where he went, ask the concierge," he said to Tignol. A
r fare. You can go. I'm from headquarters. I have a warrant for this man's
pourboire?" gru
're lucky to
me the unexpected happening): "Well, I'll tell you one thing,
d. "You know my name
seat and, waving his hand in derision, he called back:
And, in order to explain how he happened to be making so untimely a visit it is necessary to go back se
e Notre-Dame, and at twenty minutes past nine by the clock in the Tavern of the Three Wise Men he had drawn up at the house where the Bonnetons lived. Five minutes later the young man was seated in th
ocono,' he c
d happy. Her mantling color, her heaving bosom, and the fond, wistful lights in her dark eyes told how very happy she was. And how proud! After all he trusted her, it must
ominous entrance of Mother Bonneton. She eyed the visitor with frank unfriendliness and, without mincing her words, proceeded t
ospitality. Mother Bonneton held her ground grimly, decl
?" asked t
to M.
lgium, and who came to Paris occasionally to see her and to get orders for his work. On one occasion he had met this cousin
ener does not approve of
nd this foolish girl. But he understands his responsibility as the only relation she has in the world a
el
ut a month ago, he asked me and my husband to make i
nable!" exc
usin wants to know if this young man is a
at for myself,"
Ha, ha! How
s about me?" resumed Kittredge
ut her thick lips in an ugly leer. "I should say
t th
at you lived for months last year by
ttredge in a low
money you made by gambling you s
he girl he said: "Alice, I didn't mean to go into
ails," she interrupted. "I kn
e eyes trustingly an
of a certain person. I thought I loved her and-I made a fool of myself. I gave up a good position in New York and-after I had been here a while I went
nd of a lady who dines alone with gay young gen
dined, I say she was a lady, and the proof of it is
winced
hed the sacristan's wife, "r
m not denying that she raised the devil with me. She did that good and plenty, so at last I decided to break away and I did. It wasn't exactly a path of roses for me those weeks, bu
"Do you mean to tell us you haven't had
er," he declared, "for
I shall write M. Groener to-night and tell him the
aggrieved at this wanton affront to her lover, the
us. I'm grateful to you for believing in me and I-I'd like to know why you t
or a last appeal when the bell in the hall tinkled sharply. Mother Bonneton answered the call and returned
ry important." With this she delivered a note to Kittredge and added in an exultant
age!" chuckled Mother Bonn
teriously "Grande toilette, bare shoulders,
n to Kittredge: "I suppose this is anot
He read it, then read it again, then he crumpled it i
now what you think of this, I can't stop to explain, I-I mus
ome back?" cr
This is
come back. You must come back to-night. It's the last thing I'll ever
poke, not pleading but command
ery late," h
simply, "no matter what time. I'll
power of her eyes: "I'll surely come," he
onneton's grumblings with a look that this hard old woman had once or twice seen in the girl's face and had learned to respe
e eyed the young man sternly but said nothing, for Alice was at her back holding the lamp and there was something in the American's face, somethin
th a queer little smile. "I couldn'
m with frightened eyes
n by 'it,' but, as a matter of fact, it hasn't begun
Was the woman who came in the ca
es
en with her
h her only abo
e in t
es
d y
owly. "Oh, I'm in t
I hel
woman for over six months. I didn't know she was coming here. I don't love her, I love you, but I did love her,
then in a low voice she spoke the words that w
t," he answered unsteadily. "I
ou, Lloyd,
indow attracted by sounds from below, and as she peered d
den understanding she exclaimed: "Perhaps we will know now what he has been doin
ng," said A
ed the old woma
le a harsh voice called out those terrify
later, as she unlatched the door, a fat man with a bristling red mustache and keen eyes p
Then producing a paper he said: "I am from headquarters. I am looking for"-he
the American, "you ma
. Lo-eed K
s,
ave a warrant for your arre
ward. "Why do you arres
ugging his shoulders: "I don't know wha
istan's wife. "Holy angel
ve, and the two policemen laid
, and his eyes yearned towar
redge felt a sickening sense of shame
ed. Then, going close to her lover, Alice spoke to him i
u. It was because my love is so great that I refused you this afternoon. But you need m
choked a little. "I'm the happiest man in Paris, but-" He c
and kissed him passionately on the mouth-their fir
led Kitt
I am in