The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-08-15

wet and withered leaves. Amidst the
creaking of the boughS overhead and
the churn Of the leaves at our feet we
rode on, nose to tail, Nicholas leading
the way with unerring certainty. What
his thoughts were l knew not, but as
/ looked at the square outlines OF the
figure before me l could not but feel
pity for this man, reduced to such
condition. True, the life of common
soldier was not such as to make a
man squeamish about many things,
but the eX-Sergeant had always struck
me as being a man OF different stamp
from the generality of his fellows, and
it was a thousand pities to see him
forced to be a rogue-de Gomeron had
truly much to answer for, but II l
could, 1 would mend this matter.
1 had done too little good in the world
to neglect the opportunity that seemed
to present itself to me, so as we went
on L weaved a little plan to give the
man another start In life. l had al
ready a rough idea when l parted with
those gold pieces to Marie, but pulled
all the threads together as we rode
along, fully resolved to give my plan
effect as soon as the business L had in
hand was done. And Of this business l
could not hope much. We were going
straight into the lions mouth, as
it were; for, whether de Gomeron held
the kings commission or not, he had
twenty lances at his back at Anet, and
who on earth would question him If
a crop-eared thief and his companion
were slain? Besides, even if we were
not discovered I could see no way
of laying hold of the tail of the con-
spiracy by laundering through a
measureless forest at night, and finally
skulking around the castle like a
homeless cat I half began to repent
Of the whole affair, and to wish that I
had tossed the venture up and down
a trifie more in my mind before I
embarked upon it. At the worst. how
ever, perhaps it meant nothing more
than a night in the forest, and, the
next day, a tired horse and man. On
the other hand, there was, or rather
is, such a thing as luck IN the world,
and did [ make a discovery of any con-
sequence my hand would be much
stronger. Perchance, indeed, [ might
be assured of success, and then-other
things might happen. Whilst I was
thus Illuminating Nicholas suddenly
pulled up and held out a warning
hand.
What is it?' I asked, in a low tone
"Hist!' he said, and then in a rapid
whisper: Another fifty yards and we
come to the open. Anet lies before us,
on foot"
And the horses?"
''Fasten them here. You have pick
citing roper"
"Yes-around the neck of the horse"
Good. I had not noticed it before,
and was half afraid you had none,
monsieur"
The horses were soon securely fast
ened, and, when this was DONE Mich
olas spoke low and earnestly: Should
we be discovered, monsieur there is no
use making a standing fight. The odds
are too many. When we come to the
open I will show you withered oak.
This IS exectly opposite where the
horses are-in this direction. If we are
pursued make for the forest and lie
down. The chances are they will pass
us by. Then to the horses and follow
me. If go down, ride northwards for
your life"
How the devil am I to find my way
through the trees?"
Nicholas shrugged his shoulders as
If to say that was my affair.
We had gone too far to go back how
ever, and, placing my pistol in my belt
and foosening my sword in my sheath,
followed Nicholas with cautious foot
steps. As he said, in about fifty yards
we came to the open, and halted close
to huge oak, bald of all leaves, with
It's gnarled trunk riven and SCARED by
lightning. Before US level stretch of
turf sloped gently down towards what
was once an ornamental lake, but now
overgrown with rankest weeds. In
the center of the lake was a small ISL
and, on which was set summer
house, fashioned like Moorish kiosk,
and beyond this Eose huge and
square the enormous facade of the
chateau. 1t was in darkness except
for an oriel window above long ter
race on the east wing, which was
bright with light, and in the courtyard
below there was evidently a fire. Men
were singing round it. and little
chorus came to our ears
Nicholas pointed to the window, then
locked at the printing of his wheel lock
pistol and whispered hoarsely: eve