The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-24
CHAPTER XVII.
Maitre Pantin Sells Cabbages.


AT last, just as my patience was
worn to its last shred saw the glaze
in the window begin to whiten, ana
almost Immediately after heard foot
steps on the landing. This was enough
for me, and, unable to be still longer
I sprang out of bed and fastened to
open the door myself. 1t admitted
Jacques and a figure in whom I should
never have recognized the notary had
not known that it could be no other
than Pantin. Jacques bore a tray load
ed with refreshments, and Panun helo
a lantern, for it was still dark, in one
hand, and something that looked like
the folds of long cloak hung in the
loop of his arm. The noise OF their
entrance woke De Belin. With NUT
tered exclamation 1 did not catch he
reused himself, and, the candles being
lit, we proceeded to make a hasty
toilet. AS 1 drew on my boots 1 saw
they were yet wet and muddy, and
was about to rate Jacques when Pan
tin anticipated: II told him to let them
be So monsieur-you have a part to
play-put this over your left eye And
with these words he handed me huge
patch. Then in place OF my own hat,
1 found had to wear frayed cap OF
a dark sage green velvet with scare
crow-looking white feather sticking
from it. Lastly, Pantin flung over my
shoulders long cloak Of the same
color as the cap, and seemingly as old.
It fell almost down to my heels and
was fastened at the throat by pair of
leather straps in lieu of a clasp.
"Faithr' exclaimed the viscomte, as
he stood a little to one side and sur
veyed me, "if you play up to your dress
you are more likely to adorn than raise
the gallows Jacques spoke Of"
But 1 cut short his gibing with an
impatient command to Pantin to start.
The little man, however, demurred.
you must eat something first, mon
sieur; not step will 1 bulge till you
have done that"
I forced myself to swallow a little,
during which time our plans of over
night were hastily run over. Palm, who
had Joined us, declared he would go to
the Princess Catherine and seek her
aid We knew that was useless, but
not desiring to thwart the old man let
him have his will. It was decided how
ever, in case I had anything to COM
nlu4.icate, that I should hasten to the
Rue de Bourdonnais, and that in the
meantime the Viscomte would see the
master general at once and try what
could be done This being settled and
having ordered Jacques, who protested
loudly, to stay behind, Pantin and I
started off on our search for the Toison
dor
AS he closed the entrance door be-
hind him carefully and Jacques turned
the key, looked up and down the Rue
DIES Deux Mondes, but there was not
a soul stirring.
"'Tis the cold hour monsieur" said
Pantin, shivering as he drew the rem
nant Of a cloak he wore closer over his
shoulders, "and we are safe from all
eyes," and then I noticed for the first
time that his feet were bare, and that
he carried a pair of old shoes In his
hand, and an empty basket in the other
But you are not going like that,
mani" said; you will catch a fever"
1--WE are going to the Faubourg st.
Martin, monsieur, and there is no dan
ger Of the plague now"
Though l could not but feel more
than grateful for the way in which the
good fellow was laboring for me, said
nothing, but followed him as he en-
tered the mist that rose from the river
and clung heavily TO its banks.
1t was, as Pantin had said. the cold