The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-10-07

understand 1t. / folded my arms and
gave up the game in despeir. and but
for very shame l could have Iut my
hands to my face and cried. He stood
in the middle under the lamp, q heed
taller than the tallest of us; our master.
And We stood round him trapped, beat
en-, for all the world like children. Oh,
/ could have crie& This was the end
Of our long ride, our aspirations, our
knighterrantry!
= Now perhaps you will listen to me"
he went on, smoothly, "and hear whatI
Gm gong to do. lam going to keep you
here, young gentlemen, until you can
serve me BY carrying TO mademoiselle,
your cousin, some news of her be-
trothed. Oh, shall not detain you
lbng," he added, with an evil smile.
~You have afrived at Paris at fortu-
Gsate moment. There is going to be a.
we'll, there is little scheme on 1oot up
painted Cor, to-night-singularly lucky
Eeu arel-for removing some objection
able people, some friends of ours, per
haps among them, M. Anne. That y
ell. You will hear shots, cries, perhaps
screams. Fake no notice. You will be
in no danger. For Nd. de Pavannes," he
continued, his voice sinking, Il think
that by morning shall be able to give
you--a-a more particular account of
him&o take to Caylus--to mademoiselle,
you understand"
For a moment the mask was off. His
face took sombre brightness. He
moistened his lips with his tongue as
though he saw his vengeance worked
out then andthere before him, and were
glonHng over the picture. The idea that
this was so took such hold upon me
that shrank back, shuddering; read
ing, too, in Croisette's face the same
thougAt-apd late repentance. Nay,
the malignity of Beers tone, the saw
age gleam of Joy in his eyes, appalled,
nae to such an extent that 1 fancied for
o moment 1 saw in him the devil incaT~
nate.
He recovered his composure verys
quickly, however; and turned carelessly
towards the door. IF you will follow
me-" he said, ~ will see you disposed Of.
$ou may have to complain of your lodg-
mg>-I have other things to think Of
tonight than hospitality. But you shall
not need to complain of your supper"
He drew aside the curtain as hespokey
and passed into the next room kefore
us, not giving thought apparently 10
the possibility that we might strike him
from behind. There certainly was an
odd quality apparent in him ut times
which seemed to contradict what we
knew of him.
The room we entered was rasAer long
than wide, hung with tapestry, and
lighted by silver lamps. Rich plate ems
bossed, I afterwards learned, by Cellini
the Florentine-who died that year,
remember-and richer glass from Ven
Ice, with a crowd of meaner vessels
filled with meats and drinks covered the
table; disordered as by the attacks of q
numerous patty. But save q servant on
two by the distant dresser, and an &c
Glesiastic at the far end OF the table, the
room was empty.
The priest rose as we entered, tbt
vidame salutiHg him us II they had no
met that day. "You are welcome, M
le Coadjuteur," he said; saying it coH
ly, however, 1 thought. And the tRC
eyed one another with little favor; rath
er as birds of prey about to quarrel ovel
the spoil, than as host and guest. Per
haps the coadjutor's glittering eyes ant
great beak-like nose made me think O
this.
"Ho! hol" he said, looking piercinglS
at us--and no doubt we must hay'
seemed miserable and detected crew
enough. "Who are these? Not th'
first fruits of the night, eh?"
The vidame looked darkly at him
NO." he answered, brusquely. They ar'
not. I am not particular out of doors
coadjutor, as you know, but this ism.
house, and we'are going to supper. Per