Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-10-11


nette. In little time Nine. Pantin APP
peared, and never have seen so great
a resemblance between husband and
wife as between these two. There was
the same small, shrivelled figure, the
same clear-cut features, the same white
eyebrows standing out prominently
over the same gray eyes, their height,
walk and tone of voice even were al
most the same. Madame, however, had
an eye to business, which her husband,
although I understood him 10 be a
notary, had not discovered to me, and
whilst he went off to see, as he said, to
the arrangements for the horses, Nine.
Annette struck a bargain with me for
my lodging, which l closed with at once,
as was in sufficient funds to be a little
extravagant. This matter being ar
ranged by my instant agreement to her
terms, she showed me to my rooms,
which were on the second floor, and
commanded 4 good view of the river
face, and, pocleting weeks rental in
advance, the old lady retired, after rec
ommending me to an ordinary where
the food was excellent and the 'FRONT.'
gnae old
spent the remainder of the day do
ing nothing, going forth but to sup
quietly at the Two Ecus, which found
fully upheld the good name Nine. Pan
tin had given 1t, and returning early to
my rooms.
Jacques came in presently and lit the
tall candles that stood in the grotesque
bronze holders that projected from the
wall, and then drawing the curtains, in
quired If needed his services further
that night.
II don't think so, jacques, but stay!"
Monsieur"
'How do we stand?'
20, well enough, monsieur. Better
really than for long time. We have
three horses and their equipment, al
though one of monsieur's pistols is
broken, and full i so crowns"
"a perfect fortune-are you sure of
the crowns?"
"As l am of being here, monsieur"
We'll, then, there is something want
you to do, and attend with both ears"
"Monsieur.''
II want you to take the two horses
we got at EvreuS and so crowns, and go
back to Ely. Keep ten crowns for your
self, and give 40 to the smith and his
daughter, and take them with you to
Auriac. The foresters lodge is vacant;
let them live there, or, if they like, there
is room enough in the chateau. I will
give you letter to Bozon. He wants
help, and these people will be of service
to him. After you have done this sell
one Of the horses-you may keep the
proceeds-and come back to me. If
am not here you will get certain news Of
me, and can easily find me out--you fol-
low"
Exactly"
"Then, when will you be prepared to
start?"
"As soon as monsieur lie chevalier is
suited with another man as faithful as
T."
"Eho"
"Sangdieu! monsieur, shall never
forget what Pere Michel and the old
steward, Bozon, said when came home
last without you. believe II were to
do SO again the good cure would excom-
municate me, and Maitre Bozon would
have me flung into the bay to follow. If
l were to go back and leave you alone
In Paris, anything might happen. No!
No! My fathers have served Auriac for
2oU years, and it shall never be said that
Jacques Bison left the last of the old
race to die alone, never"
f,;o IL. H. ! l.,
devil talks of dying?"
Monsieur, I am not such fool as
perhaps l look. Do l not understand
that monsieur has an affair on hand
which has more to do with rapier than
a ribbon? If not, why the night ride
why the broken pistol and the blood
stained saddle of Couronne? If mon
sieur had come to Paris in the ordinary
way we would have been at court, fut.
tering it as gayly as the rest, and cock
ing our bonnets with the best of them
instead of hiding here like fox in hi:
lair"
Every well, Jacques; but remember
If I get other temporary help that yor
approve of you will have to CO."
SIN that case, monsieur, it is differ
emit"
"Then it must be Your business to SEE
to this, and now good night
Good night, monsieur" and he tool
himself off.
l had made up my mind to lay my in
formation before sully. That he was In
garls AAew, having obtained the infor