Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-11-08
CHAPTER XVI.
A COUNCIL OF WAR.


AcoUNcIL OF WAR.
AS slipped through the wicket
cast q hurried glance around me, and
then, acting on the impulse of the mo-
ment, ran forwards along the road for
about so PAGES with Babette's dagger
clenched in my hand. There was
brought to stand by dead wall,
studded with iron spikes at the top,
which rose sheer above me for fully
20 feet and barred all further progress.
1t was evident that the Toison dor
stood in blind alley, and that I had
taken the wrong turning. Not even an
ape could have scaled the moss-grown
and slippery surface of those stones,
and, leaning against buttress in the
darkest corner of the wall, stood for
a moment or so and waited, determined
to sell my life as dearly as possible
should I be pursued. There was no
sound, however; all was still as the
grave. So stole forth from the shadow
of the buttress, and, keeping the dagger
ready to strike, retraced my steps past
the Toison dor and along the winding
and crooked passage, keeping as far
away from the walls as possible to avoid
any sudden attack, until at last l found
myself in cross street, down which
went, taking note of such landmarks as
I could to guide me back, when should
return with vengeance in my right
hand. The cross street led into other
winding and twisting lanes, whose
suualid inhabitants were either fitting
up and down or quarreling amongst
themselves, or else sitting in q sullen
silence.
How long 1 wandered in that maze of
streets 1 cannot say, but at last came
upon an open space, and finding it more
or less empty stopped to take my bear
ings. My only chance to get back to my
lodging that highland it was all i'm.
portant to do so-was to strike the Seine
at some point or other; but in what di-
rection the river lay could not, for the
life of me, tell. At last determined to
steer by the moon, and holding her
track to the southwest of me went on,
keeping as landmark on my left the
tall spire of church, whose name !
then did not know. So I must have
plodded on for about an hour, until at
last | was sensible that the street
which was in was wider than the 9TH
ers had passed through, and, finally, l
saw before me couple of lanterns, evil
IDENTIFY slung on a rope that stretched
across street much broader Still than
the one was in. That, and the sight OF
the lanterns, convinced me that had
gained one of the main arteries of the
city, and it was with an inward THANK
God" that stepped under the light and
looked about me, uncertain which direc-
ton I should take; for If kept the
moon behind me, as had done hitherto,
I should have to cross over and leave
the street, and | felt sure that this
would be serious error, and that would
only lead me into further difficulties. 1t
was as vet no more than a half hour or
SO beyond Compline, so the street was
full; and unwilling to attract the atten-
ton of the watch, which had a habit OF
combining its beat to places where it was
least required, began to stroll slowly
down, determined to inquire the way OF
the first passer-by who looked in a mood
amiable enough to exchange word
with so bedraggled wretch as was
| then.
1 had not long to wait, for in a short
time l noticed one who was evidently q
| well-to-do citizen hurrying along with
persuading staff in his right hand, and
the mutiled figure of Il lady clinging on
| to his left arm. could make out moth
| ing of her; but the man himself was
short and stout of figure, and l ran tc
the conclusion that he must be CHEEKY
soul, for, as far as could see by the
light of the street lamps, he looked like
one who enjoyed a good meal and car
to follow, and, approaching, addressed
him:
Pardon, monsieur, but l have lost
my way"
had hardly spoken SO much, when
loosening his arm from the lady, the
little man jumped back yard and be
gan fiourishing his stick.
'Stand back!" called out the little
man, dabbing his stick at me.
'Be still, Mangel. So you wish t.
find the rue de Bcurdonnais, slr?"
HE had better find the watch" In
terrupted Maitre Mangel, they have
gone that way towards the Porte st
Martin"
"Then this is the"
"Rue st. Martin"
"A hundred thanks. I now know
where 1 am. and have only to follow my
nose to get where l want. thank yo,
once more, and goodnight"
at last 1 was once again in the rue de.
Deux Mondes, very footsore and weary
but kept up by the thought of what
had before me, and ready to drop deat
before should yield to fatigue. Their,
was no one in the street, and, Selling
the huge knocker, l hammered at thu
door in manner loud enough to walker
the dead. 1t had the effect of arousin.
one or two of the inhabitants of the ad
joining houses, who opened their win
dows and peered out into the night, ant
then shut them again hastily, for tn
wind blew chill across the Passeur au:
Naches. There was no answer to IN,
knock, and then again beat furiousl,
at the door, with little sinking of m,
heart as 1t came to me that perhap
some harm had befallen these goo
people. This time, however, heard
noise within, and presently Pantin'
voice inquiring in angry accents who i
was that disturbed the rest of homes
DeoDle Mt so late an hour