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

There was long silence. We stood
glaring ut him, and he smiled upon US
-as cat smiles. Croisette told me
afterwards that he could have died OF
mortifcation-of shame and anger that
we had been SO outwitted. For N.Y.
self did not at once grasp the position.
did not understand. could not dis
entangle myself in a moment from the
belief in which had entered the house
that it was Louis de Pavannes' house.
But seemed vaguely to suspect that
Beers had swept him aside and taken
his place. My first impulse, therefore
-obeyed on the instant-was to stride
to the vidame's side and grasp his arm.
"What have you done?" 1 cried, my
voice sounding hoarsely even in my
own ears. "What have you done with
M. de Pavannes? Answer mel"
He showed just little more Of his
sharp white teeth as he looked down
at my face-a flushed and troubled
face, doubtless. "Nothing-yet," he re-
piled, very mildly. And he shook me
off.
Then" retorted, chow do you come
herew He glanced at Croisette and
shrugged his shoulders, as if L had been
spoiled child. IN. Anne does not
seem to understand" he said, with
mock courtesy, "that have the honor
to welcome him to my house, the Hotel
Beers, Rue7de Platriere.'
"The Hotel Beers! Rue de Plat
riere!" cried, oonfusedly. But Blaise
Bure told us that this was the Rue St.
Antoine"
"Ah!" he replied, us If slowly en-
lightened-the hypocrite! "Ah! see!'
and he smiled grimly. $50 you have
made the acquaintance of Blaise Bure,
my excellent master of the horse!
Worthy Blaise! Indeed, indeed, now I
understand. And you thought, you
whelps," he continued, and as he spoke
his tone changed strangely and he fixed
us suddenly with angry eyes, ITO play
rubber with me! With me, you i'm
beetles! You thought the wolf Of
Beers could be hunted down like any
hare! Then listen, and will tell you
the end of it. You are now in my
house and absolutely at my mercy. I
have two score men within call who
would cut the throats Of three babes
at the breast If bade them! Aye" he
added, a wicked exultation shining in
his eyes, "theywould, and like the job!"
He was going on to say more, but
interrupted him. The rage l felt
caused as much by the thought of our
folly as by his arrogance, would let me
be silent no longer "First, M. de
Beers, FIRST broke out. fercely, my
words leaping over one another in my
haste, "a word with you! Let me tell
you what I think of you'll You are q
treacherous hound, vidame! A cur!
beast! And spit upon you! Traitor
and assassin" I shouted, sis that not
enoug? Will nothing provoke you?
II you call yourself gentleman,
draw"
He shook his head; he was still smil-
ing, still unmoved. II do not do my
own dirty work." he said, quietly, "por
stint my footmen of their sport, boy"
"yery well!" I retorted. And with
the words drew my sword, and sprnng
as quick as lightning to the curtain by
which he had entered. Very well, we
will kill you Arst!" I cried, wrathfully,
my eye on hls eye, and every savage
passion in my, breast al oused, "and
take our chance with the lackeys after
wards. Marie! Croisettel" / cried,
shrilly. ton him, ladsi'
But they did not answer. They did
not move or draw. For the moment,
indeed. the Alan was In my power. Ny
wrist was raised, and had my point
at his breast, / could have run him
through by single thrust. And 1
hated him. Oh, how / hated hlml
But he did not stir, Had he spoken,
had he moved SO much as an eyelid,
| or drawn back his foot. or laid his hand
! on his hilt, 1 should have killed him
there. But he did not stir and could
! not do it. My hand dropped. "Cow-
ardsl" cried, glancing bitterly from
( him to them-they had never failed me
] before. "Cowardsl" I mnttered, seem
! ing to shrink into myself as ! said the
| word. And I flung my sword clatter-
J ing on the floor.
/, ''That Is better!" he tiIawled, quite
( unmoved, as II nothing more than
words had passed, as if he had not been
!, in PERI at ALL 1T was what was go
j ing to ask you to do. II the other
young gentlemen will follow your ex-
/ ample, / shall be Obliged. Thank YOU.
Thank you"
!. Croisette, and minute Inter Marie.
! obcyed him TO the letter! could noe