The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-19

thrown over his shoulder, was engaged
in converse witt, a cavalier whose back
was turned to me, and whose head
was entirely concealed by his broad
brimmed hat and long plunes.
But the tall, straight figure, with it's
stretch of shoulder, could not be mis-
taken. 1t was de. Gomeron to a GER
tainty, and my doubts on the point
were soon at rest. Keeping as far as
possible within the shadow of the cur
tain, watched them for full five min
utes whilst they conversed together
earnestly, and then something changed
hands between them. Finally, the cav
alier left Ravaillac with a nod to his
salute, and crossed over to the other
side of the road, where a mounted
lackey was holding his horse. AS he
gained the saddle, he turned his face
| toward me for an instant. There was
no shadow of doubt left. 1t was de
Gomeron, and it was clear that there
was more between the free lance and
RaVaillac than there should be, and
also 1 was convinced, 1 know not how,
that what had passed between them
touched me, and was not for my good.
What object the man had to play trail
tor I cannot say, but 1 do know that
there are some natures to whom double
dealing is as their skin, and whom
nothing can turn from falsehood and
chicane
Be this as it may, I knew, at any
rate, the grass where one viper lay,
and made up my mind to blunt his
fangs without any further delay
gave de Belin another half-hour, and
then, calling WALTON, left message
with him, begging my friend to see me
at my lodging on a matter of the ut
most moment. AS soon as 1 was in the
saddle, 1 bent forward, and, looking
Ravaillac full in the face, said: my
friend, you have too many acquain-
tances for my service. 1 return you
from this moment to monsieur lie
comte.'
Il do not understand, monsieur" he
began to stammer, but cut him short.
Il spoke clearly enough do not re-
quire your services further You are
discharged. Take this and, f1inging
him a couple of gold pieces, which the
scoundrel swooped at like hawk,
turned the mares head and trotted off.
I made a short cut down side street
and, in so doing. had an opportunity of
taking last look at my man. He was
standing talking to Vallon, and moving
his hands in my direction.
Keeling out lies by the Dozen" 1
muttered to myself. eff 1 mistake not
there will be another place lost to you
by SundoWn.'
iCl lily SSl1 III ny Lie SlcOlS SulIoiSC,
and after attending to Couronne enter
ed the house. There was apparently not
soul within. I sought the lower apart
ments in the hope of finding either the
notary or his wife, to explain to them
my action in regard to Ravaillac; but
neither of them was visible. There was
no answer to my call. There could not
be a soul in the house.
I determined, therefore, to go up to
my room and await de Belin's coming
and on my opening the door of my sit
ting room saw, to my surprise, man
apparently doing in my armchair. The
noise of my entrance awoke him. He
jumped up, and 1 recognized my friend.
"Belin! what good wind has blown
you here? But how did you come in?
There is no one in the house."
There was when 1 came in, my
friend. Do you know''-and he looked
me in the face-"you have made a
mess of things
you know already! Belin, 1 have
just been to see you about it. The
whole affair was forced on me-
Partly. 1t was lucky I was there
and sober enough to think of cutting
the cord of the lamp. You vanished,
as I thought you would, and I have
been attending to your affairs since
then. Any other man would have been
laid by the heels ere this, but the stars
fought for you
Any other man who had not friend