Part 18 (1/2)
”This way, M Barrot,” he said curtly
Just for one brief ht occurred to ht--which was considerable--and make a wild dash for the front door But it was ht back, after which no doubt I would be an object of suspicion to these rascals andgirl's warnings ringing in my ears, I felt thatthese criuileless-ness
I assumed a perfect professional manner and followed my companion up the stairs He usheredup to now Threeat a table on which stood a couple of tankards and four elass of ale, which I declined
Then we got to work
At the first words which M Berty uttered I knew that all my surmises had been correct Whether he himself was M Aristide Fournier, or another partner of that firs, I could not know; certain it was that through the ht were unintelligible to lish, he was giving directions to the three o over the frontier
There was much talk of ”toys” and ”babies”--the latter were to take a walk in the mountains and to avoid the ”thorns”; the ”toys” were to be securely fastened and well protected against water It was obviously a case ofthe customs officials By the time that we had finished I was absolutely convinced in lish files or razors, for it was evidently extraordinarily valuable and not at all bulky, seeing that two ”babies” were to carry all the ”toys” for a considerable distance The lish I tried the feords of Russian that I knew on them, and their faces remained perfectly blank
Yes, indeed, I was on the track of M Aristide Fournier, and of one of the oods which had ever been made in France Not only that I had also before me one of the most brutish criminals it had ever been my misfortune to come across A bully, a fiend of cruelty In very truththat abo would be a merciful punishment for such a oodly sum in those days, Sir--was practically assured me But over and above mere lucre there was the certainty that in a few days' ti out of a pair of lustrous blue eyes, and a winning s away the look of fear and of sorrow from the sweetest face I had seen forin my brain, however, I flatter myself that my manner with the rascals remained consistently calm, businesslike, indifferent to all save to the work in hand The soi-disant Ernest Berty spoke invariably in French, either dictating his orders or seeking inforlish of all that he said The seance lasted close upon an hour, and presently I gathered that the affair was terminated and that I could considerapparently completed my work, when M Ernest Berty called me back with a curt command
”One moment, M Barrot,” he said
”At Monsieur's service,” I responded blandly
”As you see,” he continued, ”these fellows do not knoord of French All along the hich they will have to traverse they will meet friendly outposts, ill report to theer that e may be a source of infinite peril to them
They need an interpreter to accompany them over the mountains”
He paused for a moo? Theto pay you It hts' journey--a halt in thethe day--and there will be ten thousand francs for you if the 'toys' reach St Claude safely”
I suppose that soerness which I felt Here was indeed the finger of Providence pointing to the bestthis abominable criminal Not that I intended to risk my neck for any ten thousand francs he chose to offer enuous ”babies” I could convoy theht into the arms of Leroux and the customs officials
”Then that is understood,” he said in his usual dictatorial ranted ”Ten thousand francs And you will accoentlemen and their 'babies' as far as St Claude?”
”I am a poor man, Sir,” I responded hly
Then from a number of papers which lay upon the table, he selected one which he held out to ues?” he asked
”Yes,” I replied ”It is a short walk fro to a paper which I had taken froues close by Study it carefully At some point some way up the pass, which I have marked with a cross, I andfor you to-ht o'clock You cannot possibly fail to find the spot, for the plan is very accurate and very minute, and it is less than five hundred metres from the last house at the entrance of the pass I shall escort the e for the mountain journey Is that clear?”
”Perfectly”
”Very well, then; you e is outside the door You know your way”