Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-10-21

nodded my head, and then raising
my voice: II dine at the Two Ecus as
usual-good day!"
Good day, monsieur!"
Couronne was at the door, Ravaillac
at her head, and, mounting. I went at
walking pace towards the pont au
Change, my servant yard or so be-
hind. 1t was my intention to seek de
Belin, to ask him to find out if was
in any danger owing to last nights
folly or misadventure-call it what you
will - and to beg his advice on the
course was to pursue.
l had been recognized by d'Ayen. My
name was known to those with him,
and any trouble with the hotel de Willie
meant hopeless disaster. / had almost
made up my mind to conceal myself
somewhere until the day of flight, but
before taking any action thought 1t
advisable to consult my friend, and to
return Rayailao to his service.
Imagine my disappointment when
reaching his hotel to find that Belin was
out! WALTON begged me to wait, ex-
planning that his master had been abb
sent for so long time that his return
would be but matter of minutes. He
had supped out the night before with
de Vitry, the captain of the scets
guards, and NJ. lie Grand, had come back
late, and gone forth very early in the
morning, and it was now full time he
was back.
determined therefore to wait,
though every moment was of impor-
lance to me, and after half hour of pa
thence in an easy chair rose and walked
towards the window to while away the
time by watching what was going on
below. One Of the heavy brocade cur
,tains was half drawn, and without
thinking of it I came up towards that
side, and looked out from behind its
cover. 1t struck me as strange that
my horse was within the gate, instead
of being within the courtyard, and
Ravaillac, with the reins thrown over
his shoulder, was engaged in converse
with cavalier whose back was turned
to me, and whose head was entirely con-
cealed by his broad-brimmed hat and
long plnmes.
But the tall, straight figure, with
its stretch of shoulder, could not be
mistaken. 1t was de Gomeron to a
certainty, and my doubts on the point
were soon at rest. Keeping as far as
possible within the shadow of the
curtain, watched them for full Ave
minutes whilst they conversed to-
gether earnestly, and then something
changed hands between them. Finally.
the cavalier left Ravaillac with nod
to his salute, and crossed over to the
other side of the road, where mount
ed lackey was holding his horse. AS
he gained the saddle, he turned his face
toward me for an instant. There was
no shadow Of doubt left. It was de
Gomeron. and it was clear that there
vas more between the free lance and
Ravatllao than there should be, and
also, I was convinced, know not how,
that what had passed between them
touched me, and was not for my good.
What object the man had to play traitor
I cannot say, but do know that there
are some natures to whom double deal
ing Is as their skin, and whom moth
ing can turn from falsehood and CHI
cane.
Pc this as 1t may, knew, at any
rate, the grass where one viper lay, and
made up my mind to blunt his fangs
without any further delay. I gave de
Belin another half-hour, and then, call
ing WALTON, left message with him,
begging my friend to see me at my
lodging on matter, of the utmost
moment. AS soon as was in the
saddle I bent forward, and, looking
Ilayaillac full in the face, said: "Nfy
friend, you have too many acquaint-
ances for my services. / return you
from this moment to monsieur lie
COMPETE
made short cut down side street,
and In so doing, had an opportunity of
taking last look at my man. He was
standing talking to WALTON, and moving
his hands in my direction.
Feeling out lies by the dozen,n ]
muttered to myself. IF I mistake not
there will be another place lost to you
ny SunQOWn.
. Ilet myself in by the stable entrance,
and after attending to Colronne en-
tered the house. There was apparently
not soul within. sought the lower
apartments in the hope OF finding either
the notary or his wife, to explain to
them my action in regard to Ravaillac;
but neither of them was visible. There
was no answer to my call. There could
not be soul in the house.
determined. therefore, to go up to
my room and await de Belin's coming,
and on my opening the door of my sit.
tingroom saw, to my surprise, man
apparently doing in my armchair. The
noise of my. entrance awoke him. He
jumped up, and I recognized my friend.
"Belin! what good wind has blown
you here? But how did you come in ?
There is no one in the house."
"There was when I came in, my
friend. Do you know"-and he looked
me in the face-"you have made .
mess of things2"
hllIrIlI oUIA1