Brotherly Love.

it was proposed that Andre should lead the party . It was strange that one who , according to his own statement , had exhibited such recent valour , should decline the proposed honour , and that so much persuasion was required to induce him to alter his determination . Indeed , it was with considerable reluctance that he could be induced to form one of the party , for , as the reader can understand , he had no desire to be confronted with

Simon , who , if sane , coulcl at once disprove his vain-glorious narrative ; or who , if deranged , might single him out as an object on which to vent his fury . However , the party being numeric-ally strong , he consented to join them , though so far from taking a prominent part he kept as much in the rear as possible , and a close observer might have detected some hesitation and timidity in his maimer as he approached the dwelling of

Simon , which was situated iu a lonely and secluded suburb of the town . As the party proceeded , their number was increased till it amounted to about fifty persons of both sexes . "When they reached the door , a consultation was held as to the modus operandi . The door was a jar , and it was suggested that one of the foremost should enter and make some inquiries of the domestic of Simon , an aged female , the only servant he kept , and

who was as morose in temper as her master . Here , again , with singular modesty , Andre declined the offer of leading the party , and slunk back to the very extremity of the crowd . ' But the

honour of entering first was thrust on tne two foremost of the party , for the pressure from behind precipitated them through the doorway , and with such violence , that they measured their length in the passage . Those who were immediately behind were propelled with a similar momentum , and with the same result , only that they had the advantage of falling on their prostrate companions . On , the party still pressed , ancl it is hard to state

what the result would have been had not a loud shriek burst from one of the party in the passage , which caused the remainder to retreat hastily . It- happened that one of those who had fallen , was rather puny in person , and had to sustain the weight of a fat and unwield y individual , so that apprehending suffocation he began to roar lustily . This incident , had the effect of causing a backward movement , ancl some of the more

timid were about to take to their heels , supposing that it was Simon who was infuriated by the intrusion and was venting his frenzy on the foremost of their party . However , those in the passage succeeded in recovering their equilibrium and proceeded with their search .. Having cautiously knocked at the door of the apartments on the ground floor and receiving no answer , they returned and reported progress . It was then

agreed that about a dozen of them should enter the house together , and those who were the most apprehensive , considering that the tenement was deserted aud therefore that they would incur no risk , volunteered their

services . The party thus reinforcjcl , ascended the staircase , but when they reached the apartment which it was known that Simon occupied , they made a dead pause . Some peeped through the keyhole ,, but derived no information from their scrutiny , and none seemed desirous of being the first to enter . In the meantime there had been a new comer , Alfred Beaufrere . lie