Volume II Part 30 (1/2)

CHAPTER XVIII

THE Canal

By whatgirl har dose that the narcotic had just the opposite effect, and before an hour had passed, a haain The excited state in which she wasstood plainly before her--she must leave this horrible house at any price

Slowly rising, she felt for the door; it was locked She then walked softly to theand looked at the street It was deserted and e over it, and if Louison could only reach the street she would be safe

Through the broken pane the fresh air entered, and she tried then to collect her thoughts The horrible woman had spoken about Belleville; if she were only in the street she would soon reach the Boulevard du Teet with her plans

Away, only away, the rest would take care of itself

What had the virago said? ”Too late, too late, too late!” The horrible words rang in her ears like a death-knell; every pulse-beat repeated, ”Too late!”

Pressing her hand to her tehter of her torturers sounded from the basement and her tears immediately dried

Softly, very softly, she opened the , stood on the sill and swung herself to the outer sill A pole which served to support a grapevine gave her a hold She carefully climbed down its side, reached the street and ran as if pursued by the Furies

The fog grew denser, and ainst passers-by, but these obstacles did not hinder her fro in this way she did not know, but suddenly a blast of cold air grazed her burning face, and looking up she perceived that she had reached the Canal St Martin She had only to cross the bridge to reach those quarters of the great city which were known to her, but still she did not do it A short while she stood there not knohat to do Then she strode on, ti around her and walked down the da ti was still, and only the irl's ears With her arazed at the black waters; thewaves played about her feet and then she paused so long--long--

Robeckal and Rolla hurried through the streets with feverish haste The ground burned under their feet, and they did not dare to breathe before they had turned their back upon the capital They were just turning into the Rue St Denis, when an iron fist was laid upon Robeckal's shoulder, and forced the frightened rily cried, as he turned around, ”a--”

He paused, for he had recognized Fanfaro Bobi+chel had clutched Rolla at the sahly, he cried:

”Monster, where is the street-singer?”

”What do I know of a street-singer?” cried Rolla, boldly ”Let o or I shall cry out”

”Cry away,” replied Bobi+chel ”You must know best yourself whether you desire the interference of the police or not”

Rolla thought of the well-filled pocket-book and kept silent Robeckal, in the ers pressed his throat together; and when he was asked if he intended to answer, he could only nod with his head

”Where is Louison?” asked Fanfaro, in a voice of thunder

”No 16 Rue de Belleville”

”Alone?”