The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-10-15

remainder or my task was easy, and
the next moment found myself lying
fat on my face beneath the oriel win
dow.
Here Ipaused 10 recover myself, peer
ing down at Nicholas, who was making
an attempt TO raise himself by his
hands to reach the monograms and
climb TO me. STEADY" | whispered,
"and catch this" Rapidly nnwinding
a sillSen sash / wore round my waist. in
the fashion had learned when serving
inSpain, dropped one end toward him,
and after a moment or two he managed
10 seize il. Then looped a fold of the
elk around buttress of the parapet,
and holding on to the other end told
Nicholas TO climb.
Now for the window" i said. II will
rise slowly and find out what can.
You keep your pistol ready, and your
eyes open--do not rise, and remember
my ORDERS"
There is broken pane TO the left, IL
is half hidden by the curtain-you can
hear and see from there"
AS he said this rose softly to my feet
and, finding the broken pane without
any difficulty, peered in.
The room was bright with the light of
candles, and, at table, covered with
papers, were seated two men, whilst a
third was standing, and pointing with
his fingers at a scroll. In the man with
his back TO me / had no difficulty in
recognizing de Gomeron, the one look
ing toward me was assuredly Biron, for
his was a face that once seen could
never be forgotten. AS for the man who
was standing beside him, / knew him
not, though subsequently-bu antic-
ipate.
Biron was evidently In high state
OF excitement. He was biting at the end
OF his dark mustache, and the fingers
ofhis hand were playing nervously with
the star on his breast, whilst his shifty,
treacherous eyes were turning now on
de Gomeron, now on the fgure stand
ing at his elbow. He seemed TO be hest
tating, and heard de Gomeron say:
This IS my price-not money, not
land, not a title, but only few words.
You have each one, my lord, your share
not want so much even-all / ask is
your word of honor 10 favor my suit
with the king. For me the word of
Biron is enough, and know his majes-
ty can refuse you nothing"
"My Godl" exclaimed Biron, and
writhed in his chair.
"The marshal might give me the
promise / seek, Latin" and de Gomeron
turned to the man who was standing at
Biron's elbow, "tbe word will give me
wife, not much OF reward"
"And the lands OF Bidache and Pc
louse-eh?"
| almost fell forwards in my eager
ness TO hear, and only checked myself
in time.
Exactly" sneered dc Gomeron. "Do
you think l have rlsked my life for the
good OF my health? See here, cheva-
lier," and he bent forward and whs-
pered word or so that made the other
pale, and then de Gomeron leaned back
In his chair and smiled. Biron did not
apparently see or hear. his forehead
was resting on his clasped hands, and
he seemed to be revolving the hazard
OF some great step. AS for me, thought
caught the words, "your instant
help" followed by Stances" and pow
er," and guessed was not wrong
that the captain had forced Lafn's
hand.
MY dear de Gomeron,' he said, "tho
marshal Is willing enough, but you
know the common talk, that the king
has other views for madame. and that
NJ D'Ayen" But Biron interposed.
M. de Gomeron, you ask too much
Nine. de la Bidache is OF the first nobil-
ity. Tremouile was my friend. II IS
too much"
"And / give monseigneur crown. >
"Pestel My lord--after all, NJ. dc
Gcmeron has deserved his price-and a
good sword and better head must not
bc thrown away. Remember, mon
reigneur, an open hand makes faithful
hearts," said Latin.
"But the king would never consent
began Biron.
"Giye me your word to help me, mon
seigneur, will do the rest for myself
Give Il, my lord"
bllOu UfNiNdAtu lOl a HlhuitIN, uHil
then suddenly threw up his hand
Every well--let II be as you wish.
promise, NJ. de Gomeron."
Enough, my lord-I thank you
Chevalier Lain has laid before you In
detail all cur resources. Let me now
show you this" lie unrollcd parch'
ment that was before him, and handed
IL 10 the marshal. Here" he added
"are the signatures Of all. II only needs
that of Biron-now sign"
could hear the beating OF my heart
in the silence that followed, and then
Biron said, hoarsely: mol No! Twill
never put my name TO paper"
"Morbleu! marshal" burst out Lain
''This is no time for nibbling at a cher.
ry. Tremouiile and Epernon have
signed. Put your seal to the scroll, and
the day IL reaches NJ. de Savoye, 10000
troops are across the frontier, and you
| will Chuuup Tho cohboOe rrardpn9 nj