Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-11-18

But, sire, the marshal is too i'll to
see anyone, even your majesty" said de
Gle, desperately, and with whitening
lips.
1 thought I heard de Vitry mutter
Traitor" under his thick mustache,
but the guardsman parted my glance
with an unconcerned look. There was
silence of half minute at de Gie's
speech, and the king REDEEMED to his
forehead.
eff it is as you say, NJ. lie Vicompte, 1
sure that there are two persons whom
he would see were he dying-which God
forbid-and one of the two is his king.
Grand master, we will go, but'-and his
voice took a tone of sharp command,
and his eye rested first on de Gle and
then on the figure of tall cavalier, at
whose throat flashed the jewel of the St.
Esprit-"but must first ask NJ. de Wit
ry to do his duty"
AS for me, was dumb with astonish-
ment, and half the faces around me
were filled with amaze. Then de Wit
rvs voice broke the stiffness.
my lord of Epernon, your sword
and you, too, NJ. lie Yicompte.'
The duke slipped off his rapier with
sarcastic smile and handed the
weapon to the captain of the guard;
but we could hear the clicking of the
buckles as de Gie's trembling fingers
tried in vain to unclasp his belt. So
agitated was he that de Vitry had to
assist him in his task before it was ac-
complished.
The king spoke again in the same
grating tones:
an. de Bassompierre and you. de Luy-
mes, l leave the prisoners IN your
charge. In the meantime, messieurs,
we will slightly change our plans. l
shall not go myself to the marshal's
house; but depute you, grand master,
and these gentlemen here, all except
de Vitry, who comes with me, to repair
there in my name. Shall NJ. de Biron
not be able to see you, you will come
to me-the grand master knows where
you will be careful, sire" said Sully.
"Mordieu! Yes-go, gentlemen"
was about to follow the others, but
Belin caught me by the arm as he
passed out. Stay where you are" he
whispered, and then he waited until the
footsteps died away along the corridor,
the king standing with his brows bent
and muttering to himself:
"If it were not true-if it were not
true"
Suddenly he reused himself. "Come
de Vitry-my mask and cloak-and you
too, Sir" he said, turning on me with 6
harsh glance. lie put on his mask, drew
the collar of his roquelaure up to hi:
ears, and in 4 moment recognized the
silent stranger who had ridden off 81
abruptly from under the portico of st
Merri. | could not lepress my start O
surprise, and l thought caught ;
strange glance in de Nitry's eyes, bu
the kings face was impressive as stone
I'VE go out by the private stair, sire
d'Aubusson is there with the horses
With these words he lifted the tapestry
of the wall and touched door.
swung back of it's own accord, and TIL.
king stepped forward, the captain of th,
guard and myself on his heels. Whel
we gained the little street at the bacl
of More's we saw there three mounted
men with three led horses.
De Nitry adjusted the kings stirrup
who sprang into the saddle in silence
and then motioning me to do likewise
mounted himself.
Monsieur" said the king o me, rein
ing in his FESTIVE horse, you will lea
us straight to Your lodging, next to tn
Toison dor"
"Yes, SIRE" l made answer; "but ]
win be necessary to leave the horse