Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-07-24
BY

'Mordieu! Hes-go, gentlemen.
was about to follow the others, bu
Belin caught me by the arm as h
passed out. Stay where you are" h
whispered, and then he waited until tn
footsteps died away along the corridor
the king standing with his brows ben
and muttering to himself
IF it were not true-if it were no
true"
Suddenly he reused himself. Come
De Yitry-my mask and cloak-anC
+ you, too. sir" he said, turning on me
with a harsh glance. He put off his
mask, drew the collar of his roquelaurC
up to his ears and in a moment 1 recog-
nized the silent stranger who had rid
den off so absuptly from under the por-
tico of st. Merri l could repress any
start OF surprise, and I thought caught
a strange glance in De Vitry's eyes, but
the kings face was impassive as stone,
we go out by the private stair,
sire; d'AubUsson is there with the
horses" With these words he lifted
the tapestry of the wall and touched a
door. 1t swung back of its own ac-
cord, and the king stepped forward,
the captain Of the guard and myself on
his heels. When we gained the little
street at the back of More's We saw
there three mounted men with three
led horses.
De Vitry adjusted the kings stir
rup. who sprang into the saddle in
silence, and then motioning me to do
likewise mounted himself.
Monsieur" said the king to me,
refining in his FESTIVE horse, you will
lead US straight to your lodging, nexb
to the Toison dor" II
yes, sire" l made answer, ~ =
will be necessary to leave 49,
by St Martins, as their preyeroa naor
the Toison dor might 1884, ouri
osity and suspicion"
7 understand. mons ,u. 49,
to lead Of nav" '"'
1 rode at ~ BAD Of the small
with INV m ny way through the fog
w" ny Ind full Of Of feelings it
"a' LII 8ble TO describe; but with
}. IT beating with joy Neither
Busson nor De Vitry gave a sign
ieGt they knew me, and but for an
Occasional direction I gave to turn to
the right or left, we rode in silence
through that mist, now beginning to
clear, and through which the moon
shone with the light of faint night
lawn bahipd lace curtains AZ ~
Martins we dismounted. There was
a whispered word between the heuten-
ant and De Vitry, and then the king,
d Vitry and myself pushed forward
on foot, leaving d'Aubusson and the
troopers with the horses. 1t would
take too long, if indeed have the
power. to describe the tumult in my
mind as we wound in and out Of the
cross streets and by lines toward the
Toison dor. AS last we came to the
Jaws Of the blind passage, and ] whis-
pered to De Vitry that we were there.
The king turned to De Vitry and ask
ed:
Are you sure the signals are under
stood. De Vitry?"
Yes, sire"
There was no other word spoken,
and keeping on the off side Of the road
to avoid passing Immediately before
the door of the Toison dor. where il
was possible a guard might be set, we
went onward toward my lodgings. Fa-
vored by the mist which still hung over
the passage, we got through without
accident; but 1 perceived that not a
light glmmered from the face of Ba-
bette's house, though 1 could hear the
bolts of the entrance door being drawn
as if some one had entered moment
or so before we came up. My OWL
lodging was, however, different, and
through the glaze Of the window We
could see the sickly glare Of the light
in the shop, where monsieur and mad
anne were no doubt discussing the bus
mess of the day.
I'VE must quiet my landlord anC
his wife, I whispered to Vitry as W.
came up to the door
Very well" he said, and then
knocked.
The fence who was alone, himsel
opened the door. All, captain" h
exclaimed; we thought you were lost
but 1 see you have friends" He sai'
no more. fof I seized his throat with
grip Of iron. whilst De vitry laced hin
ND with his own belt. An improviset
gag put q stop to all outcry, and in
trice Id was lying like log amongs
his own stolen wares.
"14adame is doubtless in bed" sal
tofhim: and a sharp scream inter
,npted my words; for the woman
koubtless hearing the scuffle. had rush
4 ed into the room. NJ de Vitry was
however. equal to the occasion. an
she. too. was deposited beside her hus
band
The king. who had taken no part i