Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-11-08
then, letting it go, gambolled about like
a great dog that has just found it's mas

then, letting it go, gambolled about like
a great dog that has just found it's mas
ter.
noticed, however, at the first glance
I took around, that both Pantin and
Jacques were fully dressed, late as it
was, and that the notary was very pale,
and the hand in which he held lantern
was visibly trembling.
Monsieur" he began, and then
stopped, but understood the question
in his voice and answered at once:
"Pantin, have come back to free her
come back almost from the dead"
"Then, monsieur, there are those here
who can help you still had thought
you brought the worst news" and he
looked at me where stood, soiled and
wet. "This way, NJ. lie Chevalier," he
continued.
"In moment, Pantin," cut in Dame
Annette's voice, and the good woman
came up to me with a fagon of warmed
wine in her hand.
Take this first, chevalier, It's Maitre
Pantin's nightcap; but do not think
he will need it this night. God be
thanked you have come back safe"
wrung her hand and drained the
wine at draught, and then, with Pan
tin ahead, holding his lantern aloft, we
assembled the stairs that led to my apart
ments. AS we went up asked jacques:
"Did you manage the businessT
Eyes, monsieur; and Marie and her
father are both safe at Auriac. l rode
back almost without drawing rein, and
then, monsieur, heard what had hap
pened, and gave you up for lost"
AT this juncture we reached the small
landing near the sitting-room 1 had
occupied, and Pantin, without further
ceremony, flung open the door, and an
nounced me by name. lstepped in, with
some surprise, the others crowding
after me, and at the first glance recog-
nized to my establishment de Belin, who
had half risen from his seat, his hand on
his sword hilt, as the door was flung
open, and in the other figure, seated in
armchair, and staring modify into the
fire, saw Palm, who, however, made nc
movement toward turning his head
and looking coldly at me. Not so Belin
| for he sprang forward to meet me, in
his impulsive way, calling out:
''Arnidieu! You are back! Palm
, take heart, man! He would never have
come back alone"
T, The last words struck me like blow
and my confusion was increased by the
l Df
of recognition, and there / stood in the
! midst of them fumbling with the hilt O
my sword, and facing the still motion
less figure before me, the light of the
! candles falling on the stern, drawn fea
| lures of the Huguenot.
My forehead grew hot with sham;
and anger, as l looked from one tp an
other, and then, like a criminal before
a judge, faced the old man and tole
him exactly what had happened-al
except one thing which kept back. A
the mention of Ravaillac's name, and o
his identity with the capuchin, the Wis
compte de Belin swore bitterly under
his mustache; and but for that eXcla
nation my story was heard in stiffness
to its bitter end. For a moment on,
might have heard pin fall, and thel
Palm said: "And you left her-there!
The dry contempt of his manner stuns
me; but could say nothing save NUT
ter:
II did what l could"
1.-THE one eve lamb of the fold-th
last and the best beloved" he said, as i
speaking to himself, and then in sud
den fury he sprang to his feet; "bu
why do we stand prating here? Their
are five of us, and we know where sh
is-come."
But Belin put his hand on his shoul
der. Patience, Maitre Palm = pa
tience"
| 81 have had enough of patience an,
enough of trusting Others" and TIL
Huguenot shook off the hand andlooke,
at me with seowl. Come, NJ. d. Au
riac, if you would make amends, lea
me to this Toison dor and we will Sc
what an old arm can do"
II am ready" I answered.
But Belin again interfered.
"Messieurs, this is madness = fror
what I have gathered, d'Auriac vii
prove but blind guide back-we ar
not, moreover, sure that madame i
there-sit still here, you Palin-neithe
you nor d'Auriac are fit to think. For
Cad! 1t was lucky thought of this 70