CHAPTER ll.—(Continued.)

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 168, 27 April 1871, Page 7

CHAPTER ll.— (Continued.)

THE MYSTERIOUS STUDENT. " Into the patch of blue sky, under the singing stars the has rolled, and the Auberge 1' Roy is hidden from heaven. Something of this kind was passing through my mind, when the dqor was thrown violently open, and a man of gigantic proportions entered. In a loud cheerful voice he greeted the host and hostess by name ; then there was a pleasant exchange of domestic inquiries. The host addressed him as Farmer something — I did not catch the word. Then he was pressed to drink and eat, and presently the mighty farmer was quite at home. After having supped he rose to depart, but neither mine host pr hostess would hear of such a thing — kind, hospitable creatures. " A neigh- ! bour leave their house in such a storm ? No !" So, after much pressing, the honest man consented to become their guest for the night. Then he resumed his seat, filled a pipe, and began to smoke. At that moment he was a pleasant sight in my eyes — a farmer, whose manner of smoking showed that he was at peace with all mankind. Alas ! I must confess that I felt a considerable degree of satisfaction when the farmer consented to remain for the night, I was not to be alone in the house of secret murders with the student. With the student 1 What did I care for being alone with the student ? It was a conviction that he was not alone that made me rejoice in having the fai-mer as a temporary neighbour. It was now eleven, o'clock. The storm was raging with terrific violence ; flash . on flash of lightning, peal on peal of thunder; and the rain — we could hear it descending in I torrents. In. spite of the perplexity in my own affairs, never for a moment did my mind lose hold of- the crags and the child in their midst. Now my thought was, " Oh, that I could talk to this goad farmer about her !" But that at the moment was out of the question. There sat the student. Would he never go to bed ? He must go to bed sometime ; I would sit him out, then I would speak to the farmer. This resolution afforded me some consolation, and involuntarily I turned my eyes upon the huge man. The end of his pipe was pressed against his chin, he was listening attentively ; in a moment he was satisfied, in another I was satisfied — a vehicle of some kind was rapidly approaching ; m a few minutes it stopped before the Auberge, and a loud knocking at the door ensued.

"Who is there?" inquired, mine host.

" Two travellers," was the reply. " Who. a.nd what are you ?" interrogated mind host.

" Merchants of Besancon. We are journeying from Besaucon to Drisack, and on the recommendation of that good man, Monsieur Lescure, mean to pass the night at the Auberge 1' Eoy. Open the door."

" Mine host hesitated. He stole a glance at the student ; the. shadow of an expression fluttered on the motionless features. The door was instantly opened, and the travellers entered, each carrying in his hand by a leather strap a box clasped at the corners with brass, and apparently of considerable weight. They were mMdleaged -men. I observed with inward dissatisfaction that in stature neither of them reached tho average height, that in their persons they manifested no signs of more than ordinary muscular strength, and that their countenances promised no extraordinary degree of physical courage. "No matter," I said mentally, " there are now four of vs — so far good." " Laying aside their heavy wet cloaks, the merchants drew quietly to the. fire, but did not take seats. " In the broad light there was a noticeable difference in their ages, and I subsequently perceived a degree of unconscious deference in the manner of the younger towards the elder. Therefore, as I did not know them then as merchants, by natoe (I never knew them as merchants by name), we will for the present, when speaking of them, use the distioetious senior and junior, or elder and younger. "Complaining of 'fatigue, the elder merchant proposed to his companion that they should retire to rest at once. To this, his companion objected, urging that the ceremony of supper had better be performed first. The senior smiled pleasingly, saying, <: It ia quite proper that growing youths should be careful that they have their, food-;" whereupon the growing youth laughed a merry lau^h, and ordered supper. for himself, which was speedily served: Meanwhile, tbe elder taking a seat by the fire, drew a cigar from, his case, ajid speedily lapsed into the silent enjoyment thereof.

" We had, sat thus for some minutes, when an observation made by the farmer 1 , something • having reference to the storm, drew forth a monosyllable reply from the junior merchant, who was too busy at that moment, for conversation. The senior courteously apologised, aud stated his experience of the Btorin since its commencement. Gradually the conversation, became

animated, and finally, with the exception of ths student, general. After a variety of topics had been lightly touched, the farmer said, pointing to the bases which lay on a bench, "I could wager there is that within which will win the hearts of half the fair dames in Drisack." " Tusli," said mine hostess. f c A few poor trifles.," said the merchant, modestly ; then resuming the smoking of his cigar, he seemed disposed to let the conversation drop. But as if under the influence of a new current of thought, he said — "There are articles in which merchants of my class deal that, although of small intrinsic value to the uninitiated, are. nevertheless, precious as the waters of life to those who know their secret virtues, and," added he, after a pause, " understand how to use them wisely."

Greatly struck by the words of the merchant, but more so by the manner in which they were uttered, I busied myself lighting my pipe, lest my face should betray the interest they had aroused in my mind. " Glasses that show fortunes," said mine hostess, with a short derisive laugh. The merchant took no notice of the remark. The farmer said — " Have you any articles that possess the virtues of which you spoke ?" "The necklace," said the junior merchant, with his mouth full.' The senior bestowed upon rash companion a severely , proving look, smoked his cigar, and remained silent. The fanner burst into a hearty laugh ; then he said, " Trust me, friend, we are honest companions." The merchant looked hesitatingly round the assembled group, sa} ing the while, " Wise men boast not of their treasures on house tops. My compauion has been more used to the city and the shop, than to the world and the Auberge. But,*' he continued, as if satisfied with the survey of the faces around him, " I think I may safely, in the present company, lay a little of the caution of our craft aside." As he spoke he drew from his bosom a necklace. I felt a grievous feeling of disappointment steal upon my mind. " This bauble," said the morchaut, "is in the eyes of the mere dealer comparatively worthless; yet there docs live a person who will give half his fortune, aud that a princely one, to become its possessor. To him. and to him only, are its secret virtues known."

" Will you permit me to look at this wonder," said the fanner, stretching forth his great hand. The merchant hesitated for a moment, then he said, with evident reluctance, " Yes," and laid the necklace in the open palm. The fanner, mine host and hostess, were speedily absorbed in its examination. "You are an. Englishman, I presume," said tho merchant, addressiug himself to me. "I have that honour," I replied, bestowing on the merchant a somewhat forced smile, as a sign that I was couscious of haviug betrayed a touch of national vanity. " You have excellent workmen in your country," he said, " but none, I will venture to assert, who could fashion a toy of this description — a thing of no value except for the workmanship. Will Monsieur examine it minutely ? If he is a judge in such articles it will repay his attention."

He laid the companion bracelet in my hand.

After I had examined the pi-ecious article for a few seconds with affected minuteness, the merchant said, "If Monsieur will excuse my passingbefore him to. roach my box, I will show him a specimen of btill more exquisite workmanship." I perfectly undei'stood this move. The farmer, host, and hostess were still eagerly examining; the necklace. For an instant the merchant stood between me and the student. I had observed, a smalL piece of paper attached to the bracelet ; in that instant the paper was in my possession.

The merchant did not bring his box to the table; but opening it on the seat where it lay, he selected the article, he required ; then, locking it aud carefully fastening the strap, be resumed his seat. " This." be said, holding up to the light, as he spoke, a small trinket, " I consider a miracle of perfect workmanship."

The farmer banded back the necklace, and requested to be permitted ta examine the trinket. While he was doing so, the merchant said, addressing the company generally, " I told you that to one man only is tho secret virtu.c that is in this trifle known," shaking the j necklace in his hand while he spoke. " But I know three jewels whose open virtues should be known to all men — faith in, the providence of God, obedience, aud courage. Come, companion," he cried, shaking his fellowtraveller, who had fallen asleep ; " letus to rest. Those who have important affairs on hand should be as economical of night as day." He looked in my face while uttering the last senteuce. I understood him, but did not move till mine host had returned from showing them to their place of rest, then I arose, aud, muttering something about the folly of sitting up so late, I desired to be shown to my room. i " I will go. to roost too," said the farmer, drowsily, " good night, and ! pleasant dreams." (To -6e continued.)