Yvette, and Other Stories (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 edition. Excerpt: ... eyes with two consecutive shots. Then he called out: " Let's play the mine game " And instantly all conversation ceased, under the spell of this new and powerful attraction. The mine game was entirely Mlle. Fifi's invention, his pet amusement for gratifying his genius for destruction. The owner of the chateau, Count Fernand d'Amoys d'Uville, had left in too great haste to be able to take away or hide anything except the silver, which had been stowed away in a hole in the wall. The great salon, opening into the dining-room, of this very rich and lordly person, had, up to the moment of his precipitate flight, presented the appearance of a museum gallery. The walls of the vast room were garnished with pictures, drawings, and valuable watercolours. On the tables, shelves, and in elegant cabinets a thousand knicknacks were arranged--Chinese vases, statuettes, Dresden shepherds, oriental monsters, old ivories, and Venetian glass--a perfect medley of rare and precious stuff. There was little left of it all by now. Not that there had been any looting. Major Count Farlsberg would by no means have permitted that, but from time to time Mlle. Fifi played the mine game, and on such occasions at any rate all the officers were thoroughly amused for full five minutes. The little marquis went off to the salon for what he needed, and came back with a very charming little porcelain teapot, Famille Rose. Filling it with gunpowder, he delicately inserted down the spout a long piece of tinder, lighted it, and ran back with his infernal machine into the next room. He returned with remarkable celerity, and shut the door. And all the Germans waited, stiff with expectation and curious childlike smiles. The moment the explosion came off, shaking the...