2 [For the Beaver Radical.] THE FAMILY JEWELS. TRANSLATED PROM THE GERMAN OP h. BCHCCKISO. CHAPtBB DC. Max Daveland’s body needed rest, but his mind was in a constant r-twifl of tanv: talizing thoughts, and his sleep was bu» a series of annoying'dream He was ;in the midst of raging battles; trying’ to escape from a hideous monster ; then he lost Valentine, whom he wasstriivng to draw from a loathsome abyss; then he heard her piteous call echoing through the subterranean labyrinth. Suddenly he sat upright in bed, and rubbing, his eyes looked around in a bewildered manner. Gradually hissehses cleared, and he laid back-on bis pillow once more and fell to thinking; thinking of all that had happen ed ill rough the night. An inexplicable rap ture filled his heart as he thought of Val entine's anxiety for him, of her niter for getfulness of everything in her fear for his safety. In his new found happiness Max felt that he would gladly give all the diamonds of every grandmother in the world could he but recall his foolish con • ,fidence in Gaston de Ribeaupierre, for was he not certain of Valentine’s prefer ence now that he need to fear the young Frenchman’s interference? Hehad placed MOhs. d’Avelon’s reputation in the hands of a stranger and he must make amends for it someway. He would recall what he he had told Gaston, and tell him he had made a most ridiculous mistake. With this thought Max sprang to the floor and hastily dressed ; 4t was growing light, and remembering to have seen writing materials on the table when Gas ton left a few hours before, he concluded to write an explanation and leave Givres before its master has risen. Proofs and letters concerning d’Ave lon’s nativity at Belgium could not exist, and Gaston must have pretended just to lure him to Givres—why bad not the thought occurred before J He sat down by the little table, and in the faint morning light wrote : ‘ Mons. de Ribeaupierre: lam ashamed ami mortified that I have made such an egregious blunder ; a childish remem brance just recalled convinces me of it. I have repeatedly heard my fapiily speak ot the person whom 1 thought I had dis covered as having lost two joints of his left hand little finger, by a careless hand ling of a gun when a boy. The gentle man of whom wie spoke has no such mu tilation, I am greatly mortified by the knowledge that I have committed such an error. Ami since there is no further ne cessity for examing your documents, there is nothing left but to thank you for your hospitable kindness to me this night. Max Dave land. When he had finished he stood up and from the window saw broad streaks ot lights radiant from the horizon, illumi nating the vapory mists veiling the moun tain: top. Behind yon mountain Neuf- chateau must lie, and farther on Donate mi la Pucelle ; tic had, therefore, only to strike northward and he was on the right road to Void. Max hastily completed his morning toilet and approached the door—it was locked! _ ? lo vain he turned the knob, shook and knocked —even kicked against the firm wood ; he was a prisoner. A muttered curse burst from his lips as his face flashed “I & ave fo °]* ishfy allowed myself to be duped by this Frenchman! I am a prisoner—bui I hope it won’t be a great while, for there must surely be some outlet to this bear trap—for it is nothing more, since I was entrapped like a stupid bruin !” There was no escipe but through the window, which was at least twenty feet from the ground outside. Max recalled instances of escapes from similar by lying sheets torn in strips to the win dow-edge; but this would take too long to accomplish, a more expedient method was in view. He went to the bed, and cutting loose ihe heavy silken cord that held back and ornamented the curtains, returned to the window. He fastened it firmly to an iron hook in the edge, and taking advantage of his gymnastic prac tiCes in. earlier days swung himself oat ward, and the next instant he stood safely upon the earth, feeling only a slight shock from his jump. Carefully avoiding the lawn in front, he hastened through the park and soon reached the road, which he crossed quickly, and concealed himself in the dense shrubbery of the hedge, for the sound of a horse galloping dCirac nearer and nearer, and peering from ills concealment be recognized Gaston’s figure spile of the cloak wrapped aroilnd him. Where' had.he been? Max con- himself on his timely escape, and after Gaston had entered the court he started forward at no laggard’s pace. He found no difficulty in recognizing the road to the Femie, and ran swiftly for some time until be came to where a nar row ravine led lo the right. He halted a moment and conjectured that Ibis must be where he had encountered Gaston on his leaving the grotto. Had not Valen tine promised lo return lo the grotto, ami might it nut be possible she was there at this moment. The hope of finding her, and speaking to her alone—of telling her all the thoughts that had ifilled his heart, was too enticing. Even should he not meet her b'e could follow the path that led to the Ferme, and from thence pursue his way home, which was certainly the wisest should Gaston have discoveied bis escape and underotke to follow him with some of bis servants. He entered the ra vine, and afler_ a brisk walk reached the grotto—but the maid was not there! The spot was as solitary and lonely as when he had left it, and yet he hesitated, expect ing—hoping—waiting. M At last be gave up the vain hopes and started forward, loth to leave the wierd solitude.' • While* Max stood' meditating in the narrow ravine, the : messenger J had an-; hbunted' Lieutenant Davpland 1 # rhysti Z rious disappearance. Captain Sontbelin sprang from his conch as if electrified, ig suing rapid aa he threw himself in to his clothes, add in auTncredibly short time be was on the road to the Fenpe d? 8 Auges, accompanied by Lieutenant!. Mer wig, while Hartig followed on foot with a posse of soldiers. Arrived at the Ferme he first heard the sub-officer’s report; that worthy, fellow secretly rejoiced at being released from bis responsible position by the arrival of his superior. - “Was I, right in these people, Herr Captain ?” he asked respectfully. “Certainly—you did perfectly right. Battler!” exclaimed the Captain approv ingly. “You would have been severely reprimanded had you neglected to do so. We must not hesitate to make an exam ple of these people. Now show me where you discovered traces of their climbing into his room." “It is clear,” said Sontbeim decisively, after examining the footprints, “that they surprised him and dragged him from Ibis* window; our practical Hartig was cor rect when be said these people were try ing to lure Daveland to destruction —but who would have dreamed of such cursed villainy?” “It is enough to drive one furious,” ex claimed fllerwig clenching his fists. “Wo ought to shoot every, hound on the prem ises!” “I suppose they will decide what is to done with these people in Commercy ?” returned the sub-officer respectfully as he glanced inquiringly at the Captain. “If they arc to be shot and the execution falls to our company, I-r” he hesitated. “Well what?” demanded Sontbeim. “Oh—l—only meant”—he returned hes itatingly—“that if it must be—well then it must be ! But one would rather the task of playing execution fell to some Other —that is, one would rather keep their muskets free—” “You’d better not worry your head about such things !” interrupted the Cap tain. “Now let us sec the prisoners, and then you may wait for the men ; as soon as they arrive surround the house, and the instant I send you word bring every servant to me.” “As you command, Herr Captain !” touching bis cap with true soldierly cour tesy. Sontheim accompanied by Merwig now entered the mlon. Mens. d’Avelon came eagerly toward them, while the two la dies, who sat at some distance from each j other, remained seated, without acknowl edging the officers’ greeting. Politely reusing d’Avelon's invitation to be seated, Sonlbcim in a cool tone ex plained bis visit, while Merwig rather in quisitively surveyed Valentine, mentally deciding that there was nothing so mys terious in their poor comrade’s infatua tion, which bad so cruelly sacrificed him. Moos. d’Avelou delivered bis statement in a clear, straight forward manner, which Sonlheim noted down at Valentine’s lit tle writing table at the upper end of the salon. When the old gentleman bad fin ished the Captain requested Valentine to state what she knew of the matter. She rose and approached him—Eden rising al so as if wishing to restrain the words she did not wish to have spoken, by her pres ence. Her |earB were unnecessary ; Val entine had foreseen in what a dangerous position it would place them should she betray her knowledge of the plot to de stroy Daveland. In a low, but steady voice she made her statement. She spoke of her anxiety for the strange officer, and that it had urged her to warn him to es cape—and escape he certainly must have done, for she had left him in safely. If misfortune had befallen him then no one at the Ferrae was to blame. Herr Von Daveland had escaped long enough be fore the laborers arrived at the house. “You confidently assert that be reach ed a place of safely. How do you know that he did not fall Into the hands of the mob on the road to his refuge?” asked Sonthcitn dubiously. “I conducted him to it myself,” she re turned promptly. The Captain elevated his brows slight ly : “And what do you call a place of safely, Fraulein ?” “The maid’s grotto ; a rocky cavern in a sequestered ravine—no one would dream of searching for him there. When I went to release him at dawn be was not there—nor could I find any traces of his being surprised, or if any struggle—they could not have found him there,” she re peated firmly. Sontheim now turned to Miss Ellen, whose deposition, delivered in a coldly re served. manner, coincided with Mons. d’Avelon’s statement; the slightly disdain ful curl of her lips plainly indicated her contempt for her auditor and the world I in general. For a few moments Sontbeim busily wrote down the items, then turned to d’Avelon once more. "I leg your pardon, Monsieur, but your statement is not satisfactory—l must examine your servants. Lieutenant Merwig, see that they are all assemb >d ” He turned to u’Avelon when that officer had left the room ioobey and resumed: "You must confess that your evidence is THE RADICAL: FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1873. extremely suspicions. It Is not _ itjr'. strange that yon detain a perfect . .range* —andanenemy, alt 'nighty bat still more ■so thatayoong should liite conducted him in the middle of prlsingly ; romantic to Concerning the mob of forge who invaded your house last night v y<>* C c * knowledged this come of their own «m not the troublejtfb tea king open tbifc!*L' *‘Why should we have left them* force an entrance ?” Interrupted fcAveton r “we knew that Herr Yon Davelandwas safe—” ' “Safe!” echoed Sontheim, . i