Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-03-15
CHAPTER X.
The Conspiracy

Our SIX adventures soon came III
with the chase, and as the greater part
OF the guests were unknown to each
other, they easily passed among the
rest. All would have gone we'll had
they kept quiet, but Cauvagnac, for
getting that the chase was not given
in his honor, soon placed himself at
their head. sounding most vehemently
horn which he had snatched from one
of the attendants, and at last rushed
upon the stag just as the animal turned
to bay.
"Hallali! hallaEr' cried he, 1.-The stag
is mine''
But the captain of the chase push
ing him aside-"Softly, sir, it is
Madame la Princesse who leads this
chase, and she will either cut the
throat of the stag herself, or depute
the honor to some one whom she will
select
Cauvagnac recalled himself by this
check, fell back. but could not now
fail to perceive the menacfng glances
Of all around him. The princess and
the little duke now came up, and the
captain of the hunt advanced toward
her, and, offering her the silver-han-
died knife, said in a low voice, Does
your highness know that gentleman? ''
pointing to Cauvagnac.
mo" she replied, but as he is
here, he must be known to some one.''
"Your highness. every one I have
asked declares he never saw him be-
FORE
''But he could not have been ad-
mitted without the pass word
''St1ll, I would beg your highness to
be careful"
eve will learn who he u.s." replied
she
81 will soon know, madam" said
Lenet, who was standing by. 81 have
already dispatched a Norman. a Picard
and Breton, to question him. At
present do not seem to notice him. or
he will escape
ITO whom will your highness depute
the honor of killing the stag?" asked
the captain of the hunt.
''To no one; l shall do it myself. a
woman in my position should be accus-
toned to handle steel, and see blood
flow"
The princess got off her horse and
advanced toward the ANIMAL who was
completely surrounded by the dogs,
while an arquebusier stood ready to
shoot the animal, in case of need.
She passed the knife quickly into
! the throat Of the animal and the blood
spurted UP almost into her face as it
fell dead. The horns We're sounded and
cries of give la Princesse' were every
where heard, while TIE young duke
clappd his hands joyfully. Then re-
mounting her horse, she said, Gen
tlemen, it is too late to now start
another stag; besides our supper waits"
Ferguzon whispered to his captain,
What will you do? If were you 1
would make for the breach where we
came in. Did you not see, my dear
friend, that man in black, who looks
like fox, whisper about us?"
Yes, and feel sure we shall not be
allowed to go away"
what will become of us, then?'
"Be easy and trust me-" So the six
Adventures followed the others to the
castle. Cauvagnac was right; they
were well watched by Lenet, who kept
near them, with the captain of the
hunt.
You are sure" said he, "that no
one knows these gentlemen?"
81 have inquired of more than fifty,
and all disclaim any knowledge of
them. Also a breach in the wall has
been discovered, which has been
guarded"
'Then I will order the steward to
quet-room; and you keep a dozen armed
men outside, in case of need. Mean
while I will not lose sight of them"
Cauvagnac and his companions, how
ever, showed no wish to fly, but went
quietly along. When the gentlemen
entered the hall of the castle, they
were received by Madame la Princesse,
who was seated on a kind of throne
with her son by her. She rose, and
wrongs most eloquently. Her words
were interrupted many times by en-
thuSiastic cries Z of devotion to the
house of Condo.
''Thus, then, gentlemen" said she, in
conclusion, sit is the Offering of your
bravery and devotion, that this poor
child claims from your generous hearts.
You are our friends, or, at least, have
been received as such. What can you
do for u.s."
i Then after an instant's silence, began
a touching and solemn scene. One Of
the gentlemen rose and Said,-"I am
Gerarde de Monta1ent, and bring with
me four friends. We have between us
five swords, and 1000 pistoles, which we
place at the disposal of your highness.
Here are our credentials, signed by NJ.
lie Due de Larochefoucault"
The princess took the letter and gave
it to Lenet, and then signed to the
gentlemen to pass to her right.
Then another rose-'I am Claude de
Lessac, Comte de Claremont I bring
six friends; we have each 1000 pistoles
to offer, and we are armed and ready.
There is our letter from NJ. le Due de
Bouillon."
pass to my right, gentlemen" said
the princess, "and believe in my graft
tude."
The next said,-"T am Louis de Ior-
ges. Comte de Duras. I come alone, rich
only in my sword, with which I have
forced my way through the enemy.
for T was hpSiapod in RaIIaora r5o uoro