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 UNDER THE CLOUDS

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came face to face with an old man wearing gold-rimmed pince-nez. Father Theodore recognized Hippolyte. After his terrible experience in Batum, where all his hopes had been dashed to the ground, this fresh oppor­ tunity of discovering where the treasure was hidden had a curious effect on the priest. He clutched Hippolyte by the throat and shouted in a hoarse voice: ‘ Where are those diamonds that belonged to your mother-in-law ? Yes, to your mother-in-law, whom you killed ? ’ Hippolyte, who had been taken completely by sur­ prise, could not say a word ; his eyes were almost darting out of his head. ‘ TeU me ! ’ commanded Father Theodore. ‘ Con­ fess, you sinner! ’ Hippolyte felt he was being throttled. Suddenly, just as Father Theodore thought he had triumphed over Hippolyte, he saw Bender leaping down the rocks. He was coming down blissfully unconscious of what was going on and was gaily whistling a tune. Father Theodore was overcome with fear. Quite mechanically he continued to hold Hippolyte by the throat, but his knees were shaking. ‘ Aha ! ’ shouted Bender in a friendly way, ‘ who is this I see before me ? Our competitor ? ’ Father Theodore wasted no time, and obeying his instincts he seized the sausage and bread which Bender had left on the parapet and ran off as fast as his legs could carry him. ' Chase him ! ’ shouted Hippolyte, who was now able to breathe freely again. Bender began to call and shout after the priest. ‘ Hi! ’ he shouted. ‘ Look out! Bender’s on the hunt ! Where are you going ? I can let you have a splendid chair without any stuffing in it.’ Father Theodore could not bear the torture of being pursued and began to climb a steep rock. His heart was thumping loudly, but his cowardice urged him on. X7