The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-12-24
CHAPTER XVI.
A COUNCIL OF WAR.

Az slipped through the wicket I
cast a 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 I was
brought to stand by n dead wall,
studded with iron spikes at the top,
which roso 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 had
taken the wrong turning. Not even an
ape could have scaled the npss-grown
and slippery surface of those stones,
and, leaning against a 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 l 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 found
myself in cross street, down which
went, taking note OF such landmarks as
could 10 guide me back, when should
return with vengeance In my right
hand. The cross street led into other
winding and twisting lanes, whose
squalid inhabitants were either fitting
up and down or quarreling amongst
themselves, or else sitting In a sullen
silence.
How long wandered I'm that maze OF
streets I cannot say, but at last came
upon an open space, and finding II more
or less empty stopped to take my bear
ings. My only chance TO get back TO my
lodging that highland IL was al i'm
portant to do so-was TO strike the Seine
Mt some point or other; but In what d.
rection the river lay could not, for the
life of me, tell. At last i 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 must have
ploddcd on for about an hour, until Mt
last was sensible that the street
which WAS in was wider than the 9TH
ers had passed through, and finally,
saw before me n 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 or the
city, and II was with an inward Thank
God" that stepped under the light and
looked about me, uncertain which direcf
ton should take; for IL kept thu
moon behind me, as had done hithertr
I should have TO cross over and leae
the street, and l felt sure that tbs
would be serious error, and that wold
only lead me into further difficulties IL
was as yet no more than half houi or
so beyond Compline, so the street was
full; and unwilling 20 attract the aten-
ton Of the watch, which had halt of
combining It's beat TO places where u was
least required. began to stroll slowly
down, determined TO inquire the way Of
the first passer-by who looked in mood
amlable enough TO exchange a word
with so bedraggled a wretch as ] was
then.
had not long to wait, for in short
time noticed one who was eviently a
well-to-do citizen hurrying alcg with
persuading staff in his right bnd. and
the mufiled figure of lady clbging on
20 his left arm. / could makeout moth
ing of her; but the man HIMSELF was
short md stout OF figure. ad l ran To
the conclusion that he muspe CHEEKY
soul, for. as far as coultsce by the
light of the street lamps. b looked like
one who enjoyed good NAL and can
20 follow, and, approaching. addressed
him;
Pardon, monsieur, bit have lost
my way
had hardly spokenSo much, when.
loosening his arm fren the lady, the
little man jumped basS n yard and be-
gan flourishing his uuk.
"Stand backi- cahd out the little
man, dabbing his stik at me.
"Be still. Mangel So you wish 20
find the rue de Boudonnais, sir7"
"He had bctterh Ind the WATCH In
terrnpted Maitre dangel. they have