, 1860-11-16
AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF


the accusation that has been made against you,
and Of the hour at which you are commanded
to appear before his Eminence, convinces me
that you are the victim designated to fall by my
hand this evening. But fear nothing; you shall
escape the tolls that have been prepared to en-.
snare you. Follow me to the stable; let US
mount our horses without loss Of time, and in .
few moments shall ! hope, have discharged
to you my debt Of gratitude for the courtesy
with which you have this day entertained a
namelcss stranger"
The burgher, in q state Of anxiety and terror
which deprived him Of the power Of utterance,
Immediately rose. and followed his libcrator
down stairs. As they passed by the public
room Of the inn, they perceived that i was al
ready filed with the archers Of the Cardinals
guard; and this sight was not calculated to in
fuse courage into the mind Of the doomed tray
eler, who, while the horses were being saddled,
paid his bill, without demonstrating against the
exOrbtant charges it contained, too thankful to
escape upon any terms from the imminent dan
ger that threatened him. In few moments
the travellers were on horseback, and, squirting
their steeds through the woods Of Batard, they
speedily found themselves close to the approach
Of the Cardinals chateau.
Then the terrible guide suddenly refined in his
horse, and, turning to the bewildered Rochellois,
pointed towards the building, which was but
just distinguishable in the deepening gloom Of a
November twilight
"Look," said he, "at that centre turret, and
observe the little arched window at the summit
Of it. II is there that the Cardinals private
Judgment, from which there is no appeal, is pro-
nounced and executed As soon as my ministry
is accomplished, trap-door opens, the lifeless
body Of the victim falls into dungeon below
the foundations Of the chateau, filed with quick
lime, where all traces Of the crime are speedily
efEaced."
At that moment light cleaned in the fatal
window.
at is the signal, /" be continued, /" that the pre-
parations are completed, and that you and l are
impatiehtly looked for Lose not moment ;
take advantage Of the obscurity Of the evening
and the speed Of your horse, in order to gain
the frontiers and, when once beyond them, 1t
will be quite time enough to think Of iustifying
yourself"
And yet, SIR" said the burghcr Of La Ro-
chelle, 1" am innocent
"Build no hope on that conviction" inter
rupted his companion, impatiehtly; "there Is
no such thing as innocence, when Monseigneur
le Cardinal sits in judgment. Believe me, do as
have suggested; fly without delay, or the hand
which is now stretched out to save you must
inevitably be raised to spill your life-blood."
The burgher eagerly grasped the hand that
was extended to him-that hand from whose
touch he would ct any other moment have re-
coiled with horror-and poured forth the unFe-
strained gratitude Of his heart for the extraordi
nary service which had just been rendered 70
him. When they separated, the bloody agent
Of his Eminence directed his horses steps TO-
wards the entrance Of the chateau, while the
Rochellois, striking his spurs into the sides Of
his OOOd steed gniloned awav from the danger.