The sun., 1891-07-12

and began himself to call for the landlord un-
til tho whole house reJchoed with his roar
inRs. With an ashen face the white.apronod
host came running at his call. his hands sbnk-
ing and his very hair bristling with aprre-
hension. For tho sake OF God. sirs." he
whispered as he passed.. "spesk him fair and
do not rouse himl For the love Of the Virgin
pe mild with himi"
who is this, then 2" asked Sir Nigel.
Alleyne was about to explain when Q fresh
roar from the stranger interrupted him.
Thou villain. innkeeper." he shouted. " did
not ask you whom brought my lady here
whether your inn was clean I"
You did. sire" .
"Dld not very particularly ask you VIII ether
there were any vermin In IT."
You did. sire"
And you answered MOP"
THAT there were not sire"
And yot ere have been hero an hour flnd
Enelishmsn crawling about within It Whore
Can Frenchman upon French land, not sit
down in French auberge without having his
ears panied by the clack OF their hideous talk |?
Send thom packing. inn-keepor. or it may be
the worse for them and for you"
II will. sire. ! will" cried the frightened
host and hustled from the room. while the
SOFT soothing voico Of the woman was heard
demonstrating with her furious companion.
indeed gentlemen. you had best CO." said
mine host. 1T is but six miles to Villeiranche
whore thore are very good quarters at the sign
Of the Lion Rouge"
Nay" answered Biz Nigel. II cannot 20
until have seen moro OF this person. for he
appears to be o man FROM whom much Is to be
hoped. What is his name and title ?"
1t Is not for my lips to namo It unless by
hb desire. But beg ana pray you. gentlemen,
that you will go from my ho0se. for know not
what may come OF 1t II his rage should gain
tho mastery OF him."
by Saint PAUL." iisped sir Nigel. this Is
certainly man whom 1t is worth journeving
far to know. Go toll him that humble knight
OF England would make his further honorable
acquaintance. not from any presumption.
prido. or i'll will, but for the advancement Of
chivalry and the glory Of our ladies. Give him
greeting from Sir Nigel LorinG and say that
tho glove which bear in my cap belongs to
the most peerless and lovely OF her sex. whom
am ready to uphold against any lady whose
claim he might be desirous OF advancing"
The landlord was hesitatinG whether to carry
this message or no when the door OF tho inner
room was flung open. and the stranger bounded
out like a panther from its den. his hair
bristline. and his deformed face convulsed
with anger.
Still here" he snarled. Dogs OF England.
must 70 be lashed hence2 Tlphaine. my
sword" He turned to seize his weapon. but as
he did so his gaze fell upon the blazonry OF Sir
Nigel's shield. and he 8 ood staring while the
fire In his strange green eyes softened into
sly and humorous twinkle.
Mort Dieu!" cried he. 1T II my little
swordsman OF Bordeaux. should remember
that coat-armor. seeing that it is but three
4 .fo r ,k
Garonne. All! Sir Nigel. Sir NIGEL you owe
me return for this" and he touched his right
arm. which was Rirt round just under the
shoulder with q silken kerchlei.
But tho surprise OF the stranger at tho sight
Of Sir Nigel was as nothing compared with the
establishment and tho delight which shone
upon the face Of the knight Of Hampshire as
he looked upon the strange face OF the French
man. Twice he opened his mouth and twice
he peered again, as II to assure himself that
his eyes had not played him a trick.
"Bertrandl" he Rasped at last. Bertrand
du Guesclin"
by Saint Ivesr shouted the French soldier.
with hoarse roar OF laughter. Z" 1t is well that
should ride with my vizor down. for he that
has once seen my face does not need to be told
my name 1t is indeed !. Sir Nigel. and here s
my handl give you my word that there ate
i
would touch save with the sharp edge OF tho
sword; the Prince is one Chandos tho Second.
and you the third: for have heard much that
Is good OF you"
II am growing aged. and an somewhat spent
In the wars" auoth Sir Nigel: but can lay
by my sword now with an easy mind. for can
say that have crossed swords with him who
hath the bravest heart and the strongest arm
Of all this great kingdom OF France. have
lonRed for 1t. have dreamed OF 1t. and now I
can scarce bring my mind to understand thar
this great honor hath indeed been mine''
by the Virgin OF Rennes! you have given
me cause to be very certain OF It," said Du
Guesclin. with CLEAN OF his white teeth.
And. perhaps. most honored sir. 1t would
please you to continue the debate. Perhaps
you would condescend to go farther into tho
matter. God He knows that am unworthy of
such honor. yet can show my four-and sixty
Quarterings. and have been present at some
chickering's and scufiings these twenty years."
'Your fame is very we'll known to mo. and I
shall ask my lady to enter your
name upon my tablets" said Sir Bertrand.
There are many who wish to advance them
selves. and vino bide their turn. for refuse NO
man who comes on such an errand. At pres
ent 1t may not be. for mine arm Is stiff from
this small touch. and would fain do you full
honor whom We cross swords again. Come in
with me- and lot your squires come also. that
my sweet spouse. the Lady Tiphaine. may say
that she hath seen 80 famed and gentle
knight"
Into the chamber they went In all peace and
concord. whore the Lady Tiphaino Eat like
queen on throne for each In turn to be present.
cd to her. Sooth to say. the stout heart OF Sir
Nigel. which cared little for the wrath OF her
lion-like spouse. was somewhat shaken by the
calm. cold face Of this stately dame. for twenty
years Of camp life had left him more at ease
In the lists than In q lady's boudoir He be-
thought him. too. as he looked at her
set lips and desp-set questioning eyes, that he
had heard strange tales OF this same Lady
Tiphaine du Guesclin. Was 1t not she who
was said to Iny hands upon the sick and raise
them from their couchos when the lesches had
spent their last nostrums. Had she not FORE
cast the future. and were there not times whom
in tho loneliness OF her chamber she was heard
to hold converse with some being upon WHOM,
mortal eys never rested-some dark familiar
who psesed whore doors were barred and win