New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-17

persons In the centre of the open spacS q .Iicb
forge fire had been kindled the red glow OF whlod d
dad much 10 the strangeness of the scene anu
on the anvil beside it were ranged nnranlenoent
hores' and donkeys Shoes, with a luii GUN
of the tools used by smiths. -, =; .ho
All being ready gave the word 10 orlng ia tne
prisoners, and escorted by La Irage anu no oiA In
my guards, they were marched lneo In tha shaking
their pale and terrified faces ana tlie sna IL
limbs which could scarcely support them 10 nelL
appojnted stations. read both the g atL
OF guilt and the apprehension OF ,bma less
IL was plain that they expected Tothlng us
was very willing to play with their fears, anu I1 9
some time looked at them in Silence. WINE al
wondered with lively curiosity wnaI MOua te eiS nn
keeper that knew well he hal loosened each year
shoe of my horse in order that ms protnef hlI@ne
profit by the JOB OF replacing ~. anu VIZ VIII vi hS
led him to return my bounty by the conception oi
so knavish a trek -, a.,
ing themselves upon their knees with many tears
and prayers begged for mercy This. after decent
interval, / permitted myself to, grant Your
p prom: need But punished you must be. L
therefore ordain that Simon the smith. at once nj
nail, and properly secure PAIR OF IRON snoes 10
Andrews heels. and that then Andrew VINO 10y. 10y
that time will have picked up something OF the
smiths art. do the same to Simon. SO VIII you
both learn to avoid such shoeing tricks for the
future"
It may we'll be imagined that Judgment so
whimsical. and so Justly adapted TO the offence
charmed all save the culprts: aud IN hundred
such q degree, indeed. that Maignan had some
difficulty in restoring silence and gravity TO tue
assemblage. This done, however, Master Andrew
was taken in hand and his wooden shoes removed
The tools of his trade were placed before the
smith, who cast glances so plteous, hrst at hls
brothers feet and then at the shoes on the anvil.
as again gave rise to prodigous amount OF merrl-
mont my pages in particular wel-nleh forgetting
my presence, and rolling about in manner un,
pardonable at another time. However, reDukeu
them sharply. and about TO order the sentence
to be carried into effect. when the rememo-ance OF
the many pleasant simpicites which the smith mo
uttered to me, acting upon natural dlsposluon 70
mercy, which the most calumnious OF my enemies
have never questioned, induced me 10 glye tne
prisoners chance 10 escape Listen, SAID,
pronounced, and win certainly be executed unless
you can avail yourself Of the condition now oier
You shall have three minutes If in that tune elthgr
of you can make good Joke, ne snail go free. III
not, let man attend TO the bellows. La TrapeF
This added fresh satisfaction TO my neighbors,
who we're well assured now that had not promised
them a novel entertainment without good grounds;
for the grimaces OF the two knaves thus oldden
diverting they would have made a nun laugh
They looked at me with their eyes wide as plates.
and for the whole of the time of grace never
word could they utter save howls for mercy.
Simon," / said gravely, when the time was up
have you q joker No Andrew my friend'
have you joke? No. Then
was going on to order the sentence 10 be carried
out when the innkeeper dung himself again upon
his knees and cried out loudy-as much 10 my
astonishment as TO the roget OF the bystanderS'
who were bent seeing so strange a shoeing feat
One word, my lord / can give you no Joke. but l
can do service, an eminent service 70 the king
can disclose conspiracy!
public announcement But had been toe lon= in
the kings employment not TO have remarked how
strangely things are brought 10 ngnt On near "a,
lowed by stricken silence-l looked sharply at the
faces OF such of those present il was possible TO
suspect but failed to oberve any sign Of confusion
or OP
so abrupt statement calculated TO produce
Doubling much whether the man was
not playing with me- / addressed him sternly,
warning him to beware lest in his anxiety 10 save
his heels by falsely accusing others. he should lose
his head. For that. if his conspiracy should prove
TO be an invention OF his own. should certainly
consider it my duty to hang him forthwith.
He heard me out, but nevertheles persisted in
his story. adding desperately. IL is plot my
lord. 10 assassinate you and the king on the same
day."
This statement struck me blow; for l had
good reason to know that at that time the king
had alienated many by his infatuation for Madame
de Verneuil; while had always 10 reckon firstly
with all who hated him. and secondly with all
whom my pursuit of his interests injured either IN
reality or appearance l therefore Immediately
directed that the prisoners should be led in close
custody TO TIE chamber adjoining my private
closet. and, taking the precautiOn TO call my
guards about me. since knew not what attempt
despair might not breed. withdrew myself, max
ing such apologies TO the company as the nature
of the case permitted.
/ ordered Simon. the smith. to be first brought
to me- and in the presence OF Maiman only,
severely examined him as to his knowledge OF
any conspiracy. He denied, however that he had
ever heard of the matters referred TO by his roth
err and persisted so firmly in the denial that was
inclined to believe him. In the end he was taken
out and Andrew was brought In The lnnkeep-
ers demeanor was such as l have often observed
in intriguers brought suddenly 10 book He
averTed the existence of conspiracy, and that its
objects were those which he had stated. lie also
Offered TO give up his associates. but conditioned
that he should do this in his own way under
taking to conduct me and one other person but
no more list the alarm should be given-tO place
in Paris on the following night, where we could
hear the plotters state their plans and designs.
In this way only, he urged, could proof positive
be obtained.
was much startled by this proposal and in
clned 20 think il trap; but further consideration
dispelled my fears The innkeeper had held no
parley with any one save his guards and myself
since his arrest, and could neither have warned
his accompGces nor acquainted them with any
design the execution OF which should depend on
his confession to me. / therefore accepted his
teFms-with q private reservation that i would
have help at hand-and before daybrak next
morning left Rosny, which l had only seen by
tOrehlight, with my prisoner and select body Of
Swiss We entered Paris in the afternoon IN three
parties with little parade as possible, and went
straight TO the Arsenal, whence as soon rs even
ing fell, hurried with only two armed attendants
to the Louvre.
return so sudden and unexpected was as great
a surprise to the court as TO the king, and was
not slow to mark with an inward smile the dis
composure which appeared very clearly on the
faces of several as the crowd in the chamber fell
back for me TO approach my master. was care
full however to remember that this might arise
from other causes than guilt. The king received
me with his wonted affection; and, dlvlnlng at
once that i must have something important 10
communicate. withdrew with me 10 the further
end of the chamber. where were out Of carshot
Of the court. / there related the story 70 his
majesty, keeping back nothing
He shook his head, saying merely, The fish,
TO escape the frying-pan, Grand Master, win jump
into the fire. And human nature, save in the
very--fshy."
was touched by his gracious compliment, but
not convinced. You have not seen the man.
sire" 1 said. and have had that advantage"
I" And believe him ?"
In part" / answered, with caution. So far,
at least as TO be assured that he thinks save his
skin. which he will only do if he be telling the
truth; May beg you, SIRE added hastily, see