Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-12-15

winder.
snow" | whispered. "for the win
dow
1--WE 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
mcckery, he crawled forward rapidly.
! followed with equal speed and eau
ton, and in a 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. II
was not possible to do this by holding
on to the ivy, as, If it came away, there
would be 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, l noticed something that
looked like 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 ] 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 nonograms, which discov-
cred to lie the letters III. ID. interlaced in
one another, the initials of the second
Henry and Diane de Poitiers; and the
crescent was, as is well known, Madame
Danes crest. Taking long breath,
lifted myself slowly-there was but an
ineh or so 10 hold on to-and at last
found a 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 10 grasp the
parapet ] found that / could not each
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,
began to feel amidst the ivy for pos
sible foothold, and to my delight found
il 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 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" | whispered, |
''and catch this" Rapidly unwinding |
A silken sash Wore round my waist, in
the fashion had learned when serving |
In Spain. l dropped one end toward him,
and after moment or two he managed |
10 seize il. Then looped fold of the
nix around buttress of the parapet,
md holding on to the other end told
Nicholas TO climb.
Now for the window" said. Il will
Use slowly and find out what l can.
fou keep your pistol ready, and your
yes open-do not rise, and remember
ny orders"
"There is broken pane TO the left, il
5 half hidden by the curtain-you can
lear and see from there"
As he said this rose softly to my fee.
nd, finding the broken pane without
ny difficulty, peered in.
The room sas bright with the light Of
andes, and. at table, covered with
apers, were seated two men, whilst
bird was standing. and pointing with
is fingers at SCROLL In the man with
is back to me had no difficulty in {
de Gomeron, the one look
lg toward me was assuredly Biron, for G
is was face that once seen conld I
ever be forgotten. AS for the man who
as stahding beside him, | knew him 9
OF. though subsequently-but antic- :
,ate.
Diron was evidently in high state
excitement. He was biting at the end e
his dark mustache, and the fingers c
his hand were playing nervously with
&c star on his breast, whilst his shifty. l
'eacherous eyes were turning now or q
; Gomeron. now on the figure stand.
e at his elbow. He seemed to be hest P
ting, and heard de Gomeron say:
This is my price-not money, not
nd, not title, but only few words :.
on have each one, my lord, your share
the spois set down in writing. do !
1T want so much even-all | ask is =
'ur word of honor to favor my suit
it'll the king. For me the word of =
ron is enough. and know his maies- =
can refuse you nothing" !
My God!" exclaimed Biron, and = !,