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

CHAPTER XVII.
MAITRE PANTIN SELLS CARRIAGES.
AT last, just as my patience was worn
to its last shred, saw the glaze in the
window begin to whiten, and almost
Immediately after heard footsteps on
the landing. This was enough for me,
and unable to be still longer, sprang
out of bed and fastened to open the
door myself. 1t admitted Jacques, and
a figure in whom / should never have
recognized the notary had 1 not known
that it could be no other than Pantin.
jacques bore tray loaded with re-
freshments and Pantin held lantern,
for it was still dark, in one hand, and
something that looked like the folds of
a long cloak hung in the loop of his
arm. The noise of their entrance woke
de Belin. With muttered exclamation
l did not catch he aroused himself, and
the candles being lit we proceeded to
make hasty toilet. AS drew on my
boots l saw they We're yet wet and
muddy, and was about to rate Jacques
when Pantin anticipated: II told him
~ ~ 'ASAA W ooJ Ou lluNe
part to play-put this over your left
eye" And with these words he handed
me q huge patch. Then in place of my
own hat, found had to wear frayed
cap of dark sage-green velvet with
scarecrow looking white feather stick
ing from it. Lastly, Pantin flung over
my shoulders long cloak of the same
color as the cap, and seemingly as old.
1t fell almost down to my heels and was
fastened at the throat by pair of
leather straps in lieu of clasp.
FAITH" exclaimed the viscompte, as
he stood little to one side and sur
veyed me, eff you play up to your dress
you are more likely to adorn than raise
the gallows Jacques spoke off,
Then Pantin and started off on our
search for the Toison dor.
As he closed the entrance door be-
hind him carefully and Jacques turned
the key, 1 looked up and down the rue
des DeuX Mondes, but there was not a
soul stirring.
All Paris was asleep, Above us the
sky still swarmed with stars, though
q pale band of light was girdling the
horizon. Here and there in the heav-
ing mist on the river we saw the feeble
glimmer of lantern that had survived
through the night and still served to
mark the spot where a boat was
moored. All around us the outlines of
the city rose in brown Silhouette, but
the golden cross on the spire of Notre
Dame had already caught the dawn,
and blazed like beacon against the
gray of the sky overhead.
We pushed on briskly, and by the
time we had reached ST. Jacques we
were warm enough, despite the chilli
ness of the morning. At stall near
the church, and hard by the Pont Notre
Dame, Pantin purchased quantity of
vegetables, bidding me to keep little
ahead of him in future, and guide him
in this manner as far as knew. Whilst
he was filling his basket turned up
rue St. Martin, wondering what the
noatry's object could be in transform
ing himself into street hawl1er.
went slowly, stopping every now and
again to see if Pantin was following
and observed that he kept on the side
of the road opposite to me, and ever
and again kept calling out his wares
in monotonous sing-song tone. Thus
far, and for space further, I knew
the road, and observing that Pantir
was able to keep me we'll in view, in
creased my pace, until at last we came
10 the cross street near which had met
the jealous Mangel and his wife. Ur
the cross street turned without hest
tation, now almost facing the tall spire
| that had been my landmark, and be
gan to think / would be able to trace
| my way to the Toison dor without
| difficulty when l suddenly came to {
| standstill and faltered, for there were
| half a dozen lanes that ran this way
and that, and for the life of me coulc
| not tell which was the one had take1
| but a few hours before, so differen
did they look now to what they hat
appeared by moonlight. AS halted il
doubling manner, Pantin hurried up
and, there being one or two near me
began to urge me to buy his cabbages
made a pretense of putting him off
and then the strangers, having passed
explained had lost my bearings. g
see wineshop open across the road
chevalier-go in and call for flask ant
await me-" he answered rapidly.
1 nodded, and bidding him begon
in loud tone, staggered across tn