Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-06-11
to welcome him to my house, the Hotel
Beers, Rue de Platriere."

to welcome him to my house, the Hotel
Beers, Rue de Platrere.'
"The Hotel Beers! Rue de Plat
ricre!' ! cried, confusedly. "But Blaise
Bure told us that this was the Rue st.
Antoine!."
"Ah!" he replied, as if slowly en-
lightened-the hypocrite! "Ah! I see!"
md 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
a 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. l
have two score men within call who
would cut the throats of three babes
at the breast If | babe them! Aye" he
added, a wicked exultation shining In
his eyes, "they would, and like the job"
He was going on to say more, but l
interrupted him. The rage ! 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 think Of you You are a
treacherous hound, vidame! A cur!
Il beast! And spit upon you! Traitor
md assassin / shouted, lis that not
enoug? VIII nothing provoke you?
II you call yourself gentleman,
draw"
lie shook his head; he was still smil-
ing, still unmoved. Il do not do my
own dirty work." he said, quietly, nor
stint my footmen Of their sport, boy"
'Very WELT" ! 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 hrst!" | cried, wrathfully,
my eye on his eye, and every savage
passion In my breast aioused "and
take our chance with the lackeys after
wards. Marie Croisette!" | cried,
shrilly. ION him, lads!"
But they did not answer They did
not move or draw. For the moment,
indeed, the man was in my power. My
! wrist was raised, and I had my point
at his breast | could have run linn
F., through by o single thrust. And |
hated him. Oh, how l hated him!
But he did not stir. Had he spoken,
had he moved so much as an eyelid,
or drawn back his foot. or laid his hard
on his hilt, should have killed him
there. But he did not stir and ] could
not do it. My hand dropped. Sow
ards!" ] cried, glancing bitterly from
him to them.-they had never failed me
before. "Cowards!" | muttered, seem
ing to shrink into myself as | said the
word. And | flung my sword clatter-
ing on the floor.
"That is better!" he drawled, quite
unmoved, as II nothing more than
words had passed, as if he had not been
in peril at all. ut was what was CO.
ing to ask yon to do. II the other
young gentlemen will follow your eN-
ample, shall be obliged. Thank you.
Thank YOU
Croisette, and minute later Marie,
obeyed him to the letter! could not
understand it. folded my arms and
gave up the game in despair, and but
for very shame | could have put my
hands to my face and cried. He stood
in the middle under the lamp, a heed
taller than the tallest Of us; oar master.
And we stood round him trapped, beat
en-, for all the world like children. Oh,
l could have cried! This was the end
Of our long ride, our aspirations, our
knighterrantry!
"Now perhaps you will listen to me"