The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-12-16


fat on my face beneath the oriel win
dow.
i Here paused to 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" 1 whispered,
''and catch this" Rapidly unwinding
silken sash wore round my waist, in
the fashion had learned when serving
in Spain, dropped one end toward him,
and after a moment or two he managed
to seize it. Then looped a fold of the
silk around a buttress of the parapet,
and holding on to the other end told
Nicholas to climb.
Nov for the window I said 81 will
rise slowly and find out, what / can.
You keep your pistol ready, and your
eyes open-do not rise, and remember
my orders" f f"u
"There is broken pane to the left, it
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 a table, covered with
| papers, were seated two men, whilst
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 face that once seen could
never be forgotten. AS for the man who
was standing beside him, L knew him
not, though subsequently-bu l 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 figure stand
ing at his elbow. He seemed to be hest
tating, and heard de Gomerons say:
This is my price mot money, not
! land. not a, title, but only asfew words.
You have each one, my lord, your share
of the spoils set down in writing. l do
not want so much even-all 1 ask is
| your word of honor to favor my suit
with the king. For me the word of
Biron is enough, and know his majes-
ty can refuse you nothing"
My God!" exclaimed Biron, and
writhed in his chair.
'The marshal might give me the
promise l seek, Lafn,' and de Gomeron
| turned ,tothe man who was standing al
Siron's elbow, 1.-The word will give me
a wife, not much of a reward"
And the lands of Bidache and Pc
luuse-eh?"
1 almost fell forwards in my eager.
ness to hear, and only checked myself
in time.
Exactly" sneered de Gomeron. "Do
you think I have rislzed my life for the
good of my health? See here. cheva-
lier," and he bent forward and wills
/ pered a word or so that made the other
pale. and then de Gomeron leaned back
i'll 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
RI caught the words, ''your instant
help" followed by ''lances" and ''pow
en-" and guessed was not wrong
that the captain had forced Lain:
hand.
''My dear de Gomeron," he said, ''tht
marshal is willing enough, but you
know the common talk, that the king
has other views for madame. and tha
NJ. D'Ayen-" But Biron interposed.
IN. de Gomeron, you ask too much
Nine. de Ia Bidache is of the first nobil
ity. TremouiIle was my friend. 1t il
too much"
"And 1 give monseigneur crown.
'Peste! Ny lord-after all, NJ. d,
Gomeron has deserved his price-and ;
good sword and a better head must no
be thrown away. Remember, mon
seigneur, an open hand makes faithful
hearts" said Latin.
Butt the king would never consent,
! began Biron.f 10
{ ''Give me yourword TO help me, mon
seigneur, will do the rest for myself
''Give it, my lord"
Bir6n, hesitated for a. moment, anc
then suddenly threw up his hand
very welf-let it be as you wish.
promise, M. de Gomeron.'
Enough, my Iord7I thank you
!Chevalier Latin has laid before you il
detail all our resources. Let me nov
show you this" He .unrolled a parch
ment that was before him; and handed
it to the marshal. Here he added
''are the signatures of all, It only ne ed
that of Biron-now sign"
1 could hear the beating of my hear
in the silence that followed, and the
Biron said, hoarsely: 'No! No! Iwil
never put my name to paper"
''Morbleu! marshal" burst out Latin
This is no time for nibbling at cher
ry. Tremouiile and Epernon hav
signed. Put your seal to the scroll, am
, the day it reaches NJ. de Savoye, 5000
troops are across the frontier, and ye
will change the cabbage gardens o
| Riron for the cOrOnet of Burgundy an