Part 19 (2/2)
The otherto the house which was next to that in which the lamp shone, he knocked twice at the door in a peculiar manner which was evidently a known summons to those within Some considerable time elapsed before the summons was answered, but the Baron showed no ie of the ways of the establishment did not inspire Ellerey with confidence Once within, ht be easy Who was there in all Sturatzberg to know that he had ever entered this house? And how many were there in the orld to care whether he ever left it?
Presently the door opened a little space, and a shaggy head was thrust out in a truculent manner Whether the Baron spoke to hinized his visitor, Ellerey could not determine, but the door was opened wide, and they were adhted lobby The entrance was a private one, not a usual _cafe_ entrance, but the shly spiced dishes proved that the _cafe_ was under the same roof, and proclaimed it as a resort of that lower stratuhly flavored That there was such silence in the house was surprising
”A private visit, Theodor,” said the Baron ”We do not join the asseht Reassure them, and let us have a ith you”
Theodor opened one of the folding-doors in the lobby, and in a stentorian voice shouted soical I and clatter of innulasses and plates, and the rattle of dice and do the sounds of this living hive, and led the way into a small bare room at the side
The Baron's companion now became the spokesman
”We have a little matter to settle, Theodor, a private quarrel which does concern the good fellows yonder, and of which they arden will serve our purpose Let us out quietly, and have a care that no one wanders that way to cool an aching head until we have departed”
Theodor looked from the speaker to his companions, each in turn, and Ellerey keenly watched the ed He could detect none
”Of course, of course, it is a good spot for such matter, but if one is killed?”
”Well, Theodor, there is earth enough in the garden for burial”
Theodor shrugged his shoulders
”And you will call none to help you with that work?”
”No Have I not said that the eon”
”I have sufficient skill for that,” was the answer ”Co”
”Is it in the cause?”
”No,” said Baron Petrescu, sharply, as though he were afraid soiven, but Ellerey could not help believing that the cause, whatever it ht be, was at the bottonedly insulted hi because of it, and that his speedy re of it Theodor did not seem to believe the Baron's statement either, but it was apparent that either he had not the power or the desire to oppose the Baron, for he answered quickly:
”I see Will an hour be enough?”
”More than enough”
”Good Then in one hour I alk through the garden, and shall find it e head is free to cool it there, and if there be a grave to trample on, what matter? No one will know”
Without further words he led the way down a narrow passage, at the end of which he quietly unbarred a door
”Three steps down,” he said by way of caution, as he stood aside to let theures were lost in the shadows of the garden, and then he closed and barred the door again
It was a garden of soed tables showed that on warhts the frequenters of the cafe drank their wine and threw their dice there instead of within