The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-17

nounced me by name. l stepped in,
with some surprise, the others crowd
| ing after me, and at the first glance
recognized. to my astonishment, De
Belin, who had half risen from his seat,
his hand on his sword-hilt, as the door
was flung open, and in the other hgufe,
seated in an armchair, and staring
moodily into the fire, saw Palm, VINO,
however made no movement beyond
turning his head and looking coldly at
me. Not SO Belin, for he sprang Tor
ward to meet me, in his impulSiVe way
calling out:
"Arnidieu! You are back! Palm.
take heart, man! He would never have
come back alone"
The last words hit me like blow,
and my confusion was increased by
the demeanor of Palm, who gave me
no sign of recognition, and there
stood in the midst of them, facing
the still motionless figure before ne,
the light of the candles falling on the
stern, drawn features of the Rugue-
not.
My forehead grew hot with shame
and anger. as / looked from one to
another and then, like criminal be-
fore a judge, 1 faced the old man and
told him exactly what had happened
all except one thing that I kept back.
At the mention of Ravaillacs name,
and of his identity with the Capuchln,
the Viscomte De Belin sWore bitterly
under his mustache; and but for that
exclamation my story was heard in
stiffness 20 its bitter end. For mo-
ment one might have heard pin fall
and then Palm said: And you LETT her
-therer The dry contempt of his
manner stung me; but I could say
nothing save mutter:
"I did what [ could"
1.-The one eve lamb of the fold-the
last and the best beloved he said, as
! if speaking to himself, and then in a
sudden fury he sprang to his feet,
'but why do you stand prating here,
there are five of us and we know
where she is-come."
But Belin put his hand on his shoul-
der Patience. Maitre Palin-pa-
tience"
81 have had enough of patience and
enough of trusting Others" and the
Huguenot shook off his hand and
looked at me with a scowl. Come,
Monsieur d'Auriac, if you would make
amends, lead me to this Toison dor
and we will see what an old arm can
| do
''I am ready" I answered.
But Belin again interfered.
"MeSsieurS, this is madneSS-from
what I have gathered, d'Auriac will
prove but a blind guide back-We are
not, moreover, sure that madame is
there-sit still here, you Palin-neither
you nor d'Auriac is fit to think. Fore
| Cad! 1t was lucky I thought of this
for our meeting place tonight-sit still
and let me think
II can think we'll enough, [ cut in,
"and 1 have my plan; but I should like
| to ask question or two before l
speak
And these questions are?
81 presume 1 am suspected of this alb
duction?"
"And of more Nom de dieu! Man!
Your mare was found dead, and beside
| her one of the marshals guards, run
through the heart" answered De Belin.
"Then, of course, if l am seen / am in
danger?'
"a miracle only could save you. The
| king is enraged beyond measure, and
swears he will let the Edict go in it's
full force against you. The Camarguer
has made fine story Of it, saying how
he tried to stop the abduction, but fail
ed in the attempt"
In short then, 1t would ruin all
chances if we adopt Maitre Palms sug-
| geStion.'
you are saving me the trouble of
thinking
Again went on, ''it is not certain
if madame is still at the ToisOn dor,
and apart from that I doubt if I could
find my way back there tonight, unless
any one could guide me-" and I looked
at the Pantins, who shook their heads
sorrowfully.
This settles our going out tonight" :"
1 went Oh, "there is but one thing to do
tomorrow-to find the house. 1t will be
easy to discover If madame is within.
After that propose a rescue by the Or
binary means of the law"
would it not be as simple to have
recourse to Villeroi the first thing to-
morrow" asked Belin.
Simple enough; but the law has it's
delays, and if once the house is raided
and madame is not there we may whis
tie for our prize"
But the wheel?" put in Pantin.
'Will break Babette, who will not
know. M. de Gomeron is no fool Ito
trust her more than the length of his
hand. No-I will leave nothing to