Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-10-28
CHAPTER XIV.

muCn haste as he could IN the delivery |
of his message, and wished to myself
that my own stout-hearted knave were
with me; one blade such as his was
worth half-dozen hired swords.
It was my intention to leave de Belin
at his hotel, and make my way as
quickly as possible to my lodging, and
thence, taking the risk of the kings
warning, go straight to the Rue Va
renne and urge madame to instant
flight. My house of cards had come
down, futtering heap, as the first
story was raised, and to my mind there
was nothing for it but sharp spur and
o loose rein. wished, too, for mo-
ment of leisure to examine Coiffier's
gift. I had little doubt thatit conveyed
message or warning, and the sooner
got at its contents the better.
In the meantime Belin rode by my
side whistling march to himself,
whilst couple of lackeys Immediately
behind us shouted themselves hoarse
with an insistent "Way-way for mon
sieur lie compte!"
This cry of theirs was being constant
y
on mule, with his hood drawn over his
face, SO as to show little but his eyes
and a portion of gray beard, kept al
ternately fiinging an "Ave!" and a
WAY! way!" to the crowd, the whites
he struck close to cur heels, having evil
IDENTIFY made up his mind to follow the
old saw-the stronger the company the
freer the road.
know not why it was, but the jing-
ling notes of the tune my friend whis-
tied irritated me beyond measure, and
ut last, at the corner of the Rue Per-
rault, could stand it no longer and
refining in held out my hand.
II must say good-by here, Belin. We
will meet again, and meet in better
times, I trust, for me. In the mean
while let me thank you, my friend-the
rest of my business lies in my own
hnnd.''
He laughed and said: mot yet good
by; and as for your business, there is
some of it in Golfers wooden ball.
would open that here before you decide
| to leave me-"
4 .Aforbleu! You all seem determined
to speak to me in riddles. Why can you
not say plainly what you mean-and,
besides, this is no place to read"
ut is as good as any other. See here,
d'Auriac! I slipped out of the kings
cabinetas he spoke to you, told madame
how your affair was progressing; she
herself had something to communicate
to you; the matter was pressing, anu Us
things stood she could not tell you there
As for your being treated like pawn
give you my word it was beyond me tc
help that; but If you come with me you
will learn many things within the hour
In the meantime open the ball, man! II
was lucky thing Coifiier was there"
Without any further hesitation l drew
forth Golfers gift. 1t was, as have
said, hollow wooden globe, and wa!
made in two parts, which could b.
Joined together, or separated by a turf
of the wrist, I held it in my hands fol
a moment or so, and then opened it, ant
had just pulled forth the paper it con
i tanned, when by ill chance as it seemed
the capuchin, who was urging his null
past us, brushed violently against m.
horse, with the result that the pape
slipped from between by fingers ant
futtered to earth. Couronne after he
first start was steady enough, but tn
monks ill-conditicned mule kicked an,
plunged, bringingh him apparently heayl
~ to the ground. He fell exactly owe
the paper, and lay there for nom ent
face downward, resting on one elbow.
sprang down as much to get the pape
as to assist him, but as / did SO
scrambled to his feet with "hundre
pardons, monsieur, for my clumsiness,
and then hastily turned and hurrie
after his mule, which was already man
yards ahead, behaving after its kind
and whose speed was not diminished b
the sticks, stones and oaths flung 9
him, and there was roar of laughter
mob will laugh or hiss at the meres
trifes-as the lank figure of the cap,
chin sped along in pursuit of his beas
and vanished after him down sid
street.
! Belin himself joined in the merr
ment. and picked up the paper, niue
dy and much soiled. Smoothing it o,
against the flap of my saddle, l mad
put the words; "To-nHht, under tt
lines in the Tuileries-at Compline
! There was no doubt about the writin
and, thrusting the precious scrap int
my breast pocket, | remounted. AS
did SO de Belin said: well, have yc
changed your plans?"
PARTLY; but think shall, go BAG
to my lodging"
do nothing of the kind as yet.
have asked Pantip to meet US at Il
: Two Ecus, yeurown ordinary-Vallon-
has gone to call him; you can give hi
any orders there. You owe me as mut
: as to yield to me in this
It would have been ungracious not
have agreed, and I told Lisois wou
go with him.
"Hasten, then! The road is clear
now, thanks to the capuchin, or rath
to his mule. BY the way, did you S
) the monks face?"
: mol"
"a pity! tried to, but failed in t
attempt. His voice was familiar to n
and he seemed wonderfully active I
an old man."
Az we pulled up at the ordinary 81
dismounted BeliH sxclalnsd: Now 1