Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-11-15

long table covered with dark cloth |
and round about it were set number
of chairs. The skylight alone admitted
light, and from this to the floor of the
room was a matter of ~ feet or so.
The chamber was empty, and I had
more than half mind to risk the
descent, when the door was opened and
Babette stepped in. shrank back as
low as possible, and observed that she
was making arrangements for some
one, for she placed a couple of decan-
tiers with glasses on the table, arranged
the chairs, and then after taking a look
round weat out once more. I made up
my mind to wait, and, settling myself
under the skylight, began to exercise
my patience. After an hour or SO had
passed, I heard the door opened again.
and then the sound of voices. Present
ly some one called out: eve had bet
ter shut the skylight," and then an
other voice, this time Lafin's, said: "No,
it il no use, and we will want light to
see."
Once more raised myself and leaned
against the edge of the opening, eyes
in the room-Latin, de Gomeron and
another whom 1 did not know, but
whom 1 judged to be an Italian from
his manner of pronouncing our Ian
guage. They were all three seated round
the table, porting over number of
documents and conversing in low tones.
After time it appeared to me that
Lain was urging something on de
Gomeron, and the free lance, who was
short of temper, brought his clenched
hand on the table in manner to make
the glasses ring whilst he said with an
oath:
81 will not-I have risked too much.
l have told you before that | did not
come into this for the good of my health.
My prize is my own. 1t has nothing to
do with your affair, of which am sick"
The other man then cut in:
II do not see, NJ. de Latin, why we
should drag this matter into our dis
cussion. If NJ. de Gomeron wants
wife-well--many fair dame has had
rougher wooing than the lady you
speak of. But IL have cause for COM
plant. come here expecting to meet
the marshal-and meet you and mon
sieur here. l mean no offense, but l
must tell you plainly, my masters in
structions are that should hear NJ. de
Biron's promises and take his demand
from his own lips"
"And what about Epernon, Bouillon
and Tremouille, count?" asked de Com
eron.
The dark eyes of the stranger flashed
| on him for moment.
"My master, the duke of Savoy,
knows their views"
"Personally?"
The Italian waved his hand with a
laugh. Gentlemen, 1 have given you
my terms-it is for you to choose. AS
for my part would that my master
dropped this business and trusted the
day to his sword"
THAT is not wont to be NJ. de Savoy's
way" sneered Lain, and the Italian
rose.
Very well, messieurs, l will then con-
slider the issue as closed"
| ut matters not q rush to me-" eX-
claimed de Gomeron; but Latin, who
was modify plucking at his mustache,
spoke again, and the tones of his voice
were full of chagrin:
'As you wish. l undertake that the
marshal sees you"
where and when? My time is pre-
cious."
Here at ten o'clock tonight"
''Maledetto! This is not place to
come at that hour
| ut is safe, and would be safer still if
you stayed here till then. The spies
of the master general-curse him-are
everywhere, and NJ. de Gomeron will
guarantee your protection here"
Il am deeply grateful" The count
bowed slightly, faint tone Of irony in
his voice. Then you agree?"
YES"
The voices dropped again after this,
and they began to pore over the papers
and map that the free lance had
spread before him, making an occasion
nj remark, which did not follow. But
had heard enough to be convinced
that plot of Anet was still in full life.
1t was all important for me now to COM
municate what | knew at once to the
master general. With little ordinary
care the conspirators could be trapped
to man, and if by one stroke L could
effect this, as well as free madame
anything was possible. Without fur.
ther hesitation therefore crept slowly
back and descended to my chamber as
softly as q cat. Leaving the ladder
swinging where it was, for could not
undo the knot, drew on my boots and
went to the turret to reconn otter before
venturing out into the street Imagine
my chagrin and disappointment to see
that three men were at the gate of the
Toison dor, evidently on the watch, and
in one of them l made out Ravaillac.
might have passed the others without
discovery, but it would be impossible
to escape the lynx eyes of this villain
who, though young in years, had all the
, craft of age, and who later on was tc
raise himself to an eminence so bad tina
1 know not whom to place beside him
except, perhaps, those who We're hi:
, aiders and abettors. l did not fear tc
run the gauntlet-that was an easy mat
ter; but merely doing so would make
by birds take to wing, and found my
self compelled once more to hold pa
tience by the tail until the coast wa
clear.
(To be continued)