The times., 1897-04-01


The Abbe Moreliet heard the ring of
hoofs upon the dusty road behind him,
and instantly stopped his long-suffering
white pony. He was a man OF alarms, was
this good Abhe, and his two servants, be-
ing dutiful servants, were for the occasion
men of alarms also. All three had heard
strange stories of the perils of those
travellers rash enough to venture after
sunset on the great western highway TO
Paris; all three had begun to regret the
necessity which had carried them from the
peaceful presbytery near Rambouilet to the
woods upon the outskirts of the great city
Yet here they We're at o clock OF a sum-
mers evening still three leagues from the
capital, with Gark already threatening
them, and all the tales of bogies and of
robbers ringing in their ears like passing
bell in the ears of men about TO be hanged
lit is my opinion, said the Abbe, ad-
dressing Francois, his valet, ut is my
opinion that we are followed by the three
young men who delayed us at the Maison
Rouge. l can see cloud OF dust upon the
horizon, and l count three horses.
Francois, the valet, and Jean, the groom,
haSteDed in their turn to check the asses
which they rode and to inspect the wind
ing highway which they had pursued with
so many misgivings. Being ready men,
their tongues presently wagged together,
and they declared themselves willing TO
submit to untold tortures If they also did
not see cloud of dust upon the horizon
and count three horses.
"Sapristi,'' cried Francois, the valet, Il
suspected those fellows from the beginning.
What says the proverb, my master-'He
who makes friends in an inn has the devil
for his comrade.' Body of St John!
was for going on, as your reverence is well
aware
Jean, the groom, who watched the ap-
preaching horsemen with fearful eyes, yet
was unwilling TO betray himself, remem-
bered now that he had been for going on,
too
"Sacre bleu, your reyerence!'' cried he.
''if yon rogueS are not fnotpands, put me
in the pilIory. Did you mark how they
kept their faces masked even when they
sat at meat: May be flogged if / ever
heard of an honest man who was afraid
to show his nose To his neighbor We shall
all be dead men, presently, rely upon IT, >
The Abbe, who nUrsed a secret sus-
picion that the groom spoke the truth,
told him, nevertheless, to hold his tongue
He consoled himself with the thought
that his personal property was not worth
a louis to any rogue; he knew that he had
but ten crowns in his pouch, and those ne
would surrender readily. Indeed, he be-
gan to frame a little speech in which he
determined to both rebuke the robbers
and to conciliate them. And this was still
troubling his mind when the three men
rode up at a gallop and began to parley
with him They were strange trio
all dressed elegantly, all mounted upon
! horses which might well have come from
| the kings stables. The Abhe, stealing
clances at them when he lifted his eyes for
( a moment from his breviary, did not fail
| to observe the shining embroidery upon
! their vests nor the rich ruffles falling deli
I cateiy upon their wrists, nor the diamonds
| glistening upon their fingers. These things
| had been hidden from him in the dark
J room of the tavern at Sevres, where the
merry fellows had kept him dallying over
| a bowl of claret Now he saw plainly tina t
! his pursuers were men of quality, and
/ that two of them were singularly finely
built. while the third possessed a figure
( so slim and delicately proportioned thai
/ il might well have been the figure of a
girl. But all uhree were hhisheu ds 'he9
! had been at the tavern and this fact alone
/ kept the Abbe's suspicious alive.
| ''Sirs," said he, closing his breviary
with sudden snap, Il observe that you
| wish to speak with me.
My Lord, the Bishop OF Blois,' began
| the tallest ofthe men, while he DOTTED his
plumed hat with gesture of profound
respect. lit is evident to us that you are
a stranger upon the road to Paris -"
The Able interrupted him with momen-
! tary display of irritation.