Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-03-02

lou Will De cdreIul, sire, salu ouIly
"Mordieu! Yes-go, gentlemen"
/ was about to follow the others, but
Belin caught me by the arm as be
passed out. Stay where you are" ht
whispered, and then he waited until the
footsteps died away along the corridor
the king standing with his brows bent
and muttering to himself:
If II were not true-if il were not
true"
Suddenly he reused himself. "Come,
de Vitry-my mask and cloak-lnd you,
too, sir" he said, turning on me with q
harsh glance. He put on his mask, drew
the collar of his roquelaure up to his
ears, and in a moment 1 recognized the
silent stranger who had ridden off so
abruptly from under the portico Of St.
Nerri. ] could not repress my start OF
surprise, and I thought I caught q
strange glance in de Vitry's eyes, but
the kings face was impassiye as stone.
ave go out by the private stair, sire;
d'Aubusson is there with the horses. y
With these words be lifted the tapestry
Of the wall and touched a door. 1t
swung back Of its own accord, and the
king stepped forward, the captain of the
guard and myself on his heels. When
we gained the little street at the back
Of More's we saw there three mounted
men with three led horses.
De Vitry adjusted the kings stirrup,
who sprang into the saddle in silence,
and then motioning me TO do likewise,
mounted himself.
"Monsieur," said the king to me, rein
ing in his FESTIVE horse, you will lead
US straight to your lodging, next to the
Toison dor"
ayes, sire" I made answer; "but 1t
will be necessary TO leave the horses
by ST. Martins, as their presence near
the Toisou dor might arouse curiosity
and suspicion"
II understand, monsieur, have the
goodness to lead on"
AtSt. Martins we dismounted. There
was a whispered word between the lieu
tenant and de Vitry, and then the king,
de Vitry and myself pressed forward on
foot, leaving d'Aubosson and the troop
ers with the horses. 1t would take too
long, If indeed I have the power, to de-
scribe the tumult in my mind as we
wound in and out of the cross streets
and by lanes toward the Toison dor.
At last we came to the jaws Of the blind
passage, and whispered to de Vitry
that we were there. The king turned to
de Vitry and asked:
"Are you sure the signals are under
stood, de virry?"
Eyes, sire"
There was no. other word spoken, and
keeping on the Off side of the road, to
avoid passing Immediately before the
door OF the Toison dor, where II was
possible a guard might be set, we went
onward toward my lodging. Favored
by the mist which stiH hung over the
passage, we got through without acct
dent; but I perceived that not light
glimmered from the face of Babette's
house, though I could hear the bolts of
the entrance door being drawn, as il
some one had entered moment or so
before we had come up. My own lodg-
ing was. however, different, and
the glaze of the window we
could see the sickly glare OF the lamp
IN the shop where monsieur and mad
anne were no doubt discussing the bust
ness of the day.
I'VE must quiet my landlord and his
wife" whispered to Vitry as we came
up TO the door.
every we'll" he said, and then
knocked.
The fence, who was alone. himself
opened the door. -Ah. captain" he
acclaimed, Eve thought you were lost;
,ut see you have friends" He said !
20 more. for 7 seized his throat with
rip Of iron. whilst de Vitrv laced him
up with his own belt. An improvised !
yag put a stop to an cutlery, and in
rice he was lying like a log amongst !
lis own stolen wares.
$50 far so good. De Vitry, YOU will |
tay here. At the first sound of the |
rrand masters whistle you will answer
t, and they win know what to do. I
lave something to say TO NJ. d'Auriac. |
axe me TO your room. SIT.
bowed, and. lighting a taper that !
rood in a holder of nodded BRASS
'rize that had doubtless come TO my |
landlord through one of his clients-led |
he way up the rickety stairs, and, |
topping at the door of my chamber,
pened IL to let the king pass. For an
Instant he hesitated, fixing his keen and |
earchfng eyes on me-eyes that flashed 1
nd sparkled beneath the mask that /
overed half his features, and then /
poke:
M. d'Auriac, are you still an enemy |
. your king?"
could make no answer. did not /
NOW what to say-and stood, candle in |
laud, In silence. Then Henry laughed |
hortly and stepped into the room, and |
hut the door as I followed, and I
urned up the lamp on my table. Then,
acing the king. I said: "Sire, await
our orders"
He had flung off hts cloak and mask, |
nd was leaning against the wardrobe, \
me hand on the hiIt Of his sword. and /
t my words he spoks slowly: 81 de-
ire to see this room in the Toison dor,
nd to look upon the assembly that has
net there with nv own eyes"
"Now. sirel"