Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-09-23
CHAPTER II.
4. DE ROME CANNOT READ
CIPHER

was to make my way direct to the quar-
tiers of the staff, where felt sure OF
welcome and accommodation for the
rest OF the night. AS came near to
them I saw light streaming from the
partly open door Of the largest tent,
and from within burst a chorus OF
voices singing an old chanson OF
Guienne.
The last line was repeated amidst
peals Of laughter, followed by the
crashing of glass. 1t was enough Tor
me. ! was in no mood for any further
folly. or any more d'Arbois, and re-
solved to make the best of it in the open,
as at this hour 1t was worse than USE
less to attempt to find my lackey
jacques, whom had left behind In the
camp with my belongings when went
on to the outposts. lettering my horse
to stump, l removed the saddle, which
| made shift to use as cushion, and,
leaning my back against 1t, was soon
as comfortable as circumstances would
permit. My sleep could not have lasted
much more than an hour; but SO pro-
found was it that ages seemed to have
passed when l awoke with start, and
| the consciousness of movement around
me. The moon was on the wane; but l
saw that the camp was astir, and that
the men were being mustered as silent
ly as possible.
$50 things are about to happen"
faid ta myself, recalling de Rone's
words, and, hastily saddling my horse,
sprang on his back, and moved towards
the generals tent. All around me was
the muffled tramp of feet, the jingle of
chain bits and steel scabbards, the
plunging Of impatient horses. and q
Fubdued hum of voices, above which
rose now and again hoarse word of
command, as regiment after regiment
wheeled into position on the level
stretch before us,
When reached the generals pavilion
de Rome was just mounting his horse,
lackey standing near with sputter-
Ing torch, and his staff in little clump,
few yards away. saluted, and he
gave me keen look, saying:
$50 you have come, M. d'Auriac-take
your place with the staff. I will give
you your work later on,-and remem-
ber."
II am not likely to forget, M. lie Mar
4uis," and moved off in the direction
indicated.
Twas recognized and welcomed by de
Belin, the young Tavannes, de Cosse-
Brissao, and others of my acquaint-
ance. ] replied as best might, but
there was no time for much talk, as
the general was moving EDWARDS at a
rapid pace, and we were compelled to
follow at once. I dropped little to
the rear, to husband the strength of
my horse as far as possible, and was
Joined by another rider.
IT'S that you, Belin?"
"Ma foil Yes"
II was surprised to find you here.
thought you were with the archduke
and de Mayenne."
"Whatl have you not heard2"
"What in the DEVILS name could /
hear on those cursed outposts?"
'Then in your ear-the Remois have
gone from us, and de Mayenne and the
Guisard have passed over to the king.
My news is certain, and the archduke
has sent cipher to de Rome bidding
him retreat at once on Amiens."
"But this does not look like q re-
treat"
mo; de Rome has lost the key of the
cipher"
We both laughed, and Belin went on:
".It was droll. I saw him receive the
message, which the old fox must have
read at a glance. But he turned it this
way and that, and looking at Egmont,
said as calmly as possible: Ride back
to Amiens and fetch me the key. /
have lost mine and cannot follow the
cipher'-but hark!" and Belin inter-
rupted himself, "there Is de Rethelois'
good morning.
De Rone's voice stopped any fur
Their talk, and spnrred to his side.
my compliments to Condo de Leyva
and ask him not to waste time splitting
at de Rethelois-tell him to leave suf-
f1cient force to hold the garrison in
check, and move across the river
towards st. Gobains-report yourself to
me at the ford"
galloped off, and when reached
SAe spaniard, whom found with some
difficulty, discovered that he had al
ready anticipated de Rone's orders, and
had besides almost cut off a sortie from
the city. There was nothing for it,
therefore, but to wish de Leyva pleas
ant day and to go on to the ford.
By this time had come to the out
post, and as I trotted past the thorn
hedge ! saw, about so PAGES or so to my
right, Q single horsemap under tree.
His hands were tied behind him, and a
cord, which hung from branch over
head, ended In a moose secured lightly
but firmly round his neck. His position
was such that If the horse moved away
from beneath him he would hang, and
the poor wretch was absorbed in coax
Ing the animal to remain steady. An
other look showed me it was Nicholas,
the sergeant, and knowing there was
little leisure to lose if the knave was to
be saved, put spurs to my beast and
headed towards him. was just in time,
for as started the old trooper gave a
loud neigh, fourished his heels in the
air, and galloped off towards the enemy,
with his name and tadl streaming in
the wind. A touch of my sword freed
Nicholas, but it was a narrow affair,
and he lay gasping on the ground, and
as he lay there noticed that his ears
had been cropped close to his head,
and that the wounds were quite fresh.
He recovered himself in about min