The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-31

one room at least Of the Toison dor,
and by which 1t might be possible to
effect an easy entrance. Before going
any further, however, glanced around
me to see how the land lay and was
delighted to find that could not be
observed from the opposite side Of the
street, as the portion of the house I
was on was concealed from view by
the gabled roof, that rose about ten
feet from me, leaving me in a sort Of
long balcony. Now that I think Of 1t
this roof must have been an after
thought on the part Of the builders;
then was but too thankful to find it
existed, and had no time for refiec-
tions. By turning my head 1 could
see, too, that the high wall that shut 1t
the mouth of the passage was evil
dently raised as a barrier between the
street and the fosse, which took bend
and ran Immediately below the wall.
After lying perfectly still for a little,
l slowly pushed myself forward until
at last I was beneath the skylight, and
then raising myself cautiously peep
ed in. I saw a room Of moderate size,
and we'll, but plainly furnished. In the
center was an oblong table covered
with a dark cloth and around about
it were set number Of chairs. The
skylight alone admitted light, and from
this to the floor of the room was a mat
ter of twelve feet or 80. The chamber
was empty, and I had more than half
a mind to risk the descent, when the
door was opened and Babette stepped
in. I shrank back as low as possible,
and observed that she was making ar
rangementS for someone, for she placed
a couple of decanterS with glasses on
the table, arranged the chairs, and
then after taking look around went
out once more. | made up my mind
to wait, and settling myself under the
Skylight began to exercise my pa
tience. After an hour or so had pass
ed, / heard the door open again, and
the sound of voices. Presently, some
one called out, I'VE had better shut
the skylight," and then another voice,
this time Lafin's, said, NO it is no
use, and we will want light to see."
Once more I raised myself and lean
ed against the edge of the opening,
eyes and ears intent. There were
three men in the room-Lafin, De Com
eron and another whom l did not
know, but whom 1 judged to be an
italian from his manner of pronounc
ing our language. They We're all three
seated around the table, poring over
a number of documents and convers-
ing in low tones After a time it ap-
peared to me that Latin was urging
something on De Gomeron, and the
free lance, who was short of temper,
brought his clenched hand on the ta
BILE in a manner to make the glasses
ring whilst he said with an oath:
Il will not-I have risked too much.
I have told you before that l did not
health. My prize is my own. 1t has
nothing to do with your affair, of
which I am sick"
The other man then cut in:
Il do not see, M. de Latin, why we
should drag this matter into our dis
cussion. If M. de Gomeron wants
wife-well-many a fair dame has had
a rougher wooing than the lady you
speak of. But II have cause for COM
plant. 1 came here expecting to meet
the marshal-and I meet you and mon
sieur here. 1 mean no offense, but, I
must tell you plainly, my masters in
structions are that l should hear M
de Biron's promises and take his de-
mand from his own lips
And what about Epemon. Bouillon
and Tremouille, count" asked de Com
eron.
The dark eyes of the stranger fash
ed on him for a moment.
my master, the Duke of Savoy.
knows their views
Personally"
The Italian waved his hand with
a laugh. Gentlemen, have given you
my terms-it is for you to choose. AS
for my part, I would that my master
dropped this business and trusted the
day to his sword"
That is not wont to be NJ. de Sa-
voy,s way" sneered Latin, and the
Italian rose
Very we'll, messieurs. I will then
consider the issue as closed" |
ut matters not a rush to me-" ex.
| claimed De Gomeron; but Lain, who
was moodily plucking at his mustache
spoke again, and the tones of his voice
were full of chagrin.
las you wish. 1 undertake that the
marshal sees YOU"
Where and when? My time is
precious"
'Here-at 10 o'clock tonight"
"Maledetto! This is not a place to