Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-10-04

gave u quiCk OTueT 10 the men below
and stepped in again.
The men rode by us slowly, one of
them carrying torch, and, taking
turn to the right, trottcd off into the
forest, cursing the orders they had re-
ceived to go forth after the horn
winder,
"Now," I whispered, "for the win
dow"
I'VE must get to the terrace" he an
swered. From there it might be DONE"
and with hurried look behind him, at
which began to laugh in low tone of
mockery,. he crawled forward rapidly.
l followed with equal speed and eau
ton, and in half minute we had
gained the shadow of the terrace, and,
working along its Uncovered wall, got
to the main building. Here we cast
about for some means to get up. 1t
was not possible to do this by holding
on to the ivy, as, if it came away, there
would be a fall, and all our fat would be
in the fire. The ascent had to be made
noiselessly, and as looked at the high
wall before US began to think it was
impossible. Running my eye on the
lichen-gray face of the main building,
however, I noticed something that
lookedlike series of huge monograms,
with crescent above each, cut in high
relief on the stones, beginning about
ten feet from the ground.
I'VE might get up that way" 1 whis-
pered.
Nicholas nodded, with pale face. In
his excitement he had forgotten the
wild huntsman, much to my satisfac-
ton.
Bend, then, and will ascend from
your back"
he leaned forward against the wall,
and, climbing on his shoulders, !
found that might possibly raise my
self by the monograms, which discov-
cred to be the letters H. D. interlaced in
one another, the initials of the second
Henry and Diane de Poitiers; and the
crescentwas, as is well known, Madame
Danes crest. Taking long breath,
lifted myself slowly-there was but an
inch or so to hold on to-and at last
found crevice in which | could put
the point of my boot. This was enough
for me to change my hold to the next
higher monogram, and finally ! came
to level with the parapet of the ter
race. Here was difficulty. Every time
stretched my hand out to grasp the
parapet found that could not reach
over, and that my fingers slipped off
from the slime and moss on the stones.
Three times | made the attempt, and
swung back three times, until began
to feel that the effort was beyond me.
There was, however, one chance, and,
quietly thrusting my boot forward, I
began to feel amidst the ivy for pos
sible foothold, and to my delight found
1t rest at once on small projecting
ledge that ran around the terrace. The
remainder of my task was easy, and
the next moment found myself lying
fiat on my face beneath the oriel win
dow.
Here I paused to recover myself, peer
ing down at Nicholas. who was making
an attempt to raise himself by his
hands to reach the monograms and
climb to me. STEADY" l whispered,
land catch this" Rapidly unwinding
a silken sash I wore round my waist, in
the fashion I had learned when serving
inSpain, l dropped oneend toward him,
and after moment or two he managed
to seize it. Then looped fold of the
elk around buttress of the parapet,
and holding on to the other end told
Nicholas to climb.
Nov for the window" said. .I will
rise slowly and find out what I can.
fon keep your pistol ready, and your
eyes open-do not rise, and remember
my orders"
There is broken pane to the left, It
is half hidden by the curtain-you can
hear and see from there"
AS he said this rose softly to my feet
and, finding the broken pane without
any difficulty, peered in.
The room was bright with the light Of
candles, and, at table, covered with
papers, were seated two men, whilst a
third was standing, and pointing with
his fingers at scroll. In the man with
his back to me / had no difficulty in
recognizing de Gomeron, the one look
Ing toward me was assuredly Biron, for
his was face that once seen could
never be forgotten. AS for the man who
was standing beside him, knew him
not, though subsequently-butI antic-
ipate.
Biron was evidently In a high state
of excitement. He was biting at the end
OF his dark mustache, and the fingers
| OF his hand were playinp neryously with
the star on his breast, whilst his shifty,
treacherous eyes We're turning now on
de Gomeron, now on the figure stand
ing at his elbow. He seemed to be hest
tating, and heard de Gomeron say:
This is my price-not money, not
land, not q title, but only few words.
You have each one, my lord, your share
of the spoils set down in writing. l do
not want so much even-all l ask is
your word of honor to favor my suit
with the king. For me the word of
Biron is enough, and l know his majes-
ty can refuse you nothing"
My God!" exclaimed Biron, and
writhed in his chair.
''The marshal might give me the
promise seek, Lafn," and de Gomeron
turned to the man who was standing at
Biron's elbow, "the word will give me-
q wife, not much of reward"
'And the lands of Bidache and Pc
louse-eh?"
| almost fell forwards in my eager
ness to hear, and only checked myself
in time.