The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-12-17

point to me as the author of the abduc-
ton, and give de Gomeron the time he
wanted to perfect his plans. The man
Ind run through would never tell tales.
and so far the game lay In the Cam
arguer's hands.
And then about madame. As be-
came calmer I saw that for his own
sake de Gomeron would take care that
her life was safe, at any rate for the
present, and whilst there was this con-
tingency there was hope for her, II
none for me, al I felt sure that what
with the king and madame's relatives
of the Tremouille on one hand, and
Sully and de Belln on the other. things
would go hard with de Gomeron. what
ever happened TO me.
Hour after hour passed. Ishifted my
position, and strange TO say, slept.
How long slept know not; but
woke stinging with pain, and found this
was due TO my being bound as was,
and In a little the agony became al
most insupportable. and was on the
verge Of going into delirium, only
Fighting my falling senses by mighty
| tHOrt OF Will.
had lost all count OF the time. but
guessed IL was advanced in the day by
this; and my eyes had become so ac-
customed 10 the darkness that could
manage TO see the faint outlines of the
cell in which I was imprisoned. I
tried 10 make out It's extent with an idle
and useless curiosity. and then. giving il
up, and utterly hopeless, leaned my
head on my appraised knees, and sat thus
waiting for the end.
longed for death 10 come now-it
would be happy release from my pain.
Suddenly there came grating noise
as the bolts outside were moved. Then
the door Of the cell swung open with a
grooming, and there was binding
fash OF light that. for the time being,
deprived me OF the powers of sight,
though, with natural instinct, shut
my eyes 10 the fash as II came.
Then heard de Gomeron's voice say
ing: Remove the gag-I have some.
thing to ask monsieur"
As I felt two cold, hard hands FUN.
bling with the knots OF the gag, man.
aged to open my eyes, though the light
still panied me, and saw the tall figure
of the free lance, his drawn sword In HIS
hand, standing in the open doorway
and kneeling beside me was Babette
The bag caught the loathing In my
glance, and laughed TO herself as she
wrenched at the knots, and de Com
eron, who was evidently in no mood 10
delay, hurried her efforts with a sharp
"Quicki"
at is DONE" she answered. and rose
TO her feet, swinging the silken bands
OF the gag she held In her hand.
Then have the goodness 10 step back
whilst NJ. d'Auriac and discuss the po-
sition."
Babette did as she was hidden, NUT.
tering something. and de Gomeron, adj
vancing a pace, addressed me:
Monsieur, / have come TO make you
an offer and will not waste words. ]
am playing 70 win a desperate game
and shall not hesitate TO play any card
TO win. My offer is this: I ask you 10
sign formal document, which I shall
bring to you. holding me guiltless OF
any design against either you or Nine
/ ut Ia iDihsttut. III ItluTH Will STU YOU
free in ten days after you sign this pa.
per. During that time you must con
slider yourself my prisoner; but you
will be better lodged than now. Should
you refuse to accept this offer there Is
nothing left for me but 70 leave you here
TO die"
He spoke in slow, measured accents,
and the vault Of the roof above me gave
back the mans words in solemn echo.
The light of the lantern stretched In a
long, yellow shaft up the spiral stair.
way beyond the door, and half in this
light and half in shadow stood the
witchlilSe figure Of Babette, leaning q
little forward, as II striving to catch
each word that was spoken.
In the silence that followed the free
lance's speech, could almost hear the
blood throbbing In my temples; and for
the moment was deprived Of all power
OF words. II was not from fear, nor
from any idea OF accepting the offer,
but thought had come to my mind. |
would oppose craft with craft, and meet
the fox in the skin OF fox.
"Give me "a hours TO decide" I an
swered, land free me from these cords
cannot think for the pain OF them
"Pardleu!" He laughed THE knots
have been well tied; but "a hours Is a
long time"
"Yet you are willing 10 accommodate
me for ten days, better lodged. ventre-
bleul VI. de Gomeron. do you think
can scratch my way out OF this?"
He did not answer me, but stood for
awhile biting at the ends Of his thick
mustachc. Then he suddenly called 10
Dabette: "Cut the cords"
She came forward and obeyed. Words
cannot convey the sensation OF relief
as the cords fell from me: but for the
time being SO numbed was I that was
powerless 10 move.
"You have your desire, monsieur"
said de Gomeron. "and I await your
decision. II will save me trouble II
you inform Babette whether you agree
| or not In the foruaar cvapt xxa sholl