Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1899-05-03

etds tN OtnlLC AoE "A llolntut-
Monsieur" Re asked, what has
happened between you and the king?"
His majesty has pardoned me"
"A child might see that. What else?
BE quick"
And has given me orders to meet YOU
as you enter the Toison dor"
The frown on his face cleared. We'll
answered, chevalier. The king see has
won a faithful and discreet friend.
Make your attack when YOU hear the
petard." Then he. too. turned his broad
shoulders on me and followed the rest.
As the sound of the heavy footballs
ceased | gave n last look at my pistols.
drew in my sword-belt by hole. and.
all booted as l was. essayed the ladder
again.
had already observed that the sky
light was but light wooden frame
work, with a glazing between. and
would need no great effort to break
down-one strong push and the way
was clear before me. So stayed for
minute of breathless silence, then far
below came a sharp. shrill whistle, hur-
ried ordinations from the piotters.
and now the explosion of the petard.
that made the house rock 10 and fro
like tree in the wind.
had no need TO force open the sky
light. The effect of the explosion did
that most effectually for me, and blew
outthe lamps ia the room below as well,
reducing il on "a sudden TO absolute
darkness. There was veil of terror
from the room, and without n mo-
ments hesitation | swung through the
window and dropped down among the
ccnspirators. They were TO man
crowding 10 the door and not one took
any note Of my entrance. so great was
their confusion. | followed the rush OF
hurryinr figures as they passed through
the door into a passage in dim light
from a fire that burned in n small
CRATE. One end of this passage was full
OF smoke, against which the bright
flashes of drawn swords were as darts
| OF lightning. Beyond the smoke. and
below, we could hear the clash of steel,
cries of pain and savage oaths, where
men were fighting and dying hard. As
| dashed down the passage. sword in
hand, my only thought to reach the
| prisoners room, one of the retreatiny
| figures turned and called out: Quick,
monsieur follow me-the secret
stair!"
1t was Latin. In the confusion and
semi gloom be had mistaken me for mis-
chief. made no answer, but as /
rushed forward struck him on the face
with the hill; of my sword. and he rolled
over like a log.
There Twas, right in amongst the
scared plotters, cheek by iowl with
| VI. de Savoy's envoy, and could have
| dropped him then and there, but that
my whole heart was n madame's room.
ana Knew that there were Others who
| could and would deal with him.
As eIbowed ny way through the
press, 'ainly endoaror.ng TO find the
way I" my dear's prison, we reached q
ianCiuF FROM which iong stair led
straight ZIP. and here heard the mar
Shh. voice, cracked with rage ana
fear:
Lain! De Gomerou! To me-ber,,
here.'
Ladies first, ma-zAa.--I must look 10
my bride"
Then through the smoke I saw de
Comeron's tall figure mounting the
stair, and rushed forward TO follow
him.
III was at this juncture that q portion
OF Our own party forced their Nav 10
the landing, and one Of them. whose
sword was broken. flung himself upon
me, dagger in hand. shouting: Death
10 traitors" ! had just time 20 seize
his wrist. lie tripped sideways over
something that lay very quiet at our
feet, and, dragging me down, we rolled
over and over with the clash Of blades
over us. 1T Is fool. d'Auriac-let