The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-07

You will be careful, SIRE" said Sui
ly.
"Mordieu! Yes-go gentlemen"
l was about to follow the others, but
Belin caught me by the arm as he
passed out. stay where you are" he
whispered, and then he waited until
the footsteps died away along the cor
ridor, the king standing with his broWs
bent and muttering to himself:
IF it were not true-if it were not
true"
Suddenly he reused himself Come.
De Vitry-my mask and cloak-and
you, too, sir" he said, turning on me
with a harsh glance. He put on his
mask, drew the collar of his rogue
laure up to his ears and in a moment
[ recognized the silent stranger who
had ridden off so abruptly from under
the portico of st. Merri. l could not
repress a start of surprise, and |
thought | caught a strange glance in
De Yitry's eyes, but the king was as
impressive as, stone, -. m.
1--WE go out by the private stair, sire;
d'AubussOn is here with the horses
With these words he lifted the tapestry
of the wall and touched a door. 1t
swung back of its own accord, 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 stirrup,
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, next
to the TOison dor"
Yes, sire" L made answer, but it
will be necessary to leave the horses
by st. Martins, as their presence near
the Toison dor might arouse curiosity
and suspicion"
Il understand, monsieur; have the
goodness to lead on"
l rode at the head of the small troop,
nosing my way through the fog with
my mind full of feelings it was impOs
sible to describe: but with my heart
beating with joy. Neither d'AubUSsOn
nor De Vitry gave a sign that they
knew me, and but for an occasional
direction that L gave to turn to the
right or left, we rode in silence through
the mist, now beginning to clear, and
through which the moon Shone with
the light of a faint night lamp behind
lace curtains. At st. Martins we dis
mounted. There was a whispered wCTd
between the lieutenant and De Vitry,
and then the king, De Vitry and my
self pressed forward on foot, leaving
d'Aubusson and the troopers with the
horses 1t would take too long, if in
deed l have the power, to describe the
tumult in my mind as we wound in
and out of the cross streets and by
lanes toward the TOisOn dor. At last
we came to the jaws of the blind pas
sage, and [ whispered to De Vitry that
we were there. The king turned to De
VitTy and asked:
Are you sure the signals are I'M
derstood, 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 it was
possible a guard might be set, we went
onward towards my lodging. Favored
by the mist which still hung over the
passage, we got through without acct
dent; but [ perceived that not a light
glimmered from the face of Babette's
house, though [ could hear the bolts Of
the entrance door being drawn, as if
some one had entered a moment or so
before we came up. My own 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 madame
were no doubt discussing the business
of the day.
1--WE must quiet my landlord and his
Wife I whispered to Vitry as we came
up to the door,"
VERY WELL" he said, and then I
knocked.
The fence, who was alone, himself
opened the door. "Ah, captain" he
exclaimed, 1--WE thought you were lost;
but 1 see you have friends" He said
no more, for seized his throat with a
grip Of iron, whilst De Vitry laced him
up with his own belt. An improvised
gag put stop to all outcry,s and in a
trice he was lying like a log amongst
his own stolen wares.
Madame is doubtless in bed" I said
to him; and a sharp scream interrupt
ed my words; for the woman, doubtless
hearing the scuffle, had rushed into the
room. NJ. de Vitry was, however, equal
to the occasion, and she, too, was de-
posted beside her husband.