The Holly chieftain., 1899-04-07

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As for your being treated like pawn
| give YOU my word it was beyond me TO
help that; but if you come with me you
will learn many things within the hour.
In the meantime open the ball, man. IL
was lucky thing Coifiier was there
without any further hesitation drew
forth Coifier's gift. 1t was, as have
said. a hollow wooden globe, and was
made in two parts, which could be
ioined together, or separated by turn
OF the wrist held it in my hands for
a moment or SO, and then opened IT, and
had Just pulled forth the paper it con-
tanned, when by i'll chance as it seemed
the capuchin, who was urging his mule
mast us, brushed violently against my
horse. with the result that the paper
slipped from between by fingers and
futtered to earth. Couronne after her
first start was steady enough, but the
monks ill-conditicned mule kicked and
plunged, bringing him apparently heavi-
ly to the ground. He fell exactly over
the paper, and lay there for moment,
face downward, resting on one elbow. L
sprnng down as much to get the paper
as to assist him, but as l did SO he
scrambled to his feet with hundred
pardons. monsieur, for my clumsiness,
and then hastily turned and hurried
after his mule, which was already many
yards ahead, behaving after its kind.
and whose speed was not diminished by
the sticks, stones and oaths flung at
him, and there was a roar of laughter-a
mob will laugh or hiss at the merest
t2ifies-as the lank figure of the capu-
chin sped along in pursuit of his beast
and vanished after him down 4 side
street.
Belin himself joined in the merri-
ment. and | picked up the paper, mud
dy and much soiled Smoothing it out
against the flap of my saddle, | made
out the words: Tonight. under the
lines in the Tuileries-at Compline."
There was no doubt about the writing,
and, thrusting the precious scrap into
my breast pocket, l remounted. AS |
did so de Belin said: We'll, have you
changed your plans?'
Partly; but think shall GO back
10 my lodging"
DO nothing of the kind as yet.
have asked Pantin to meet us at the
Two Ecus, your own ordinary-Vallon-
has gone to call him; you can give him
any orders there. You owe me as much
as to yield to me in this"
1t would have been ungracious not to
have agreed, and told Lisois l would
go with him.
Hasten, then! The road is clearer
now, thanks TO the capuchin, or rather
to his mule. By the way, did you see
the monks face?"
"No."
"A pity. l tried to, but failed in the
attempt. His voice was familiar to me.
and he seemed wonde $ active for
an old man."
As we pulled up at the ordinary and
dismounted Belin exclaimed: Now for
our supper! lam of those who can only
fight under fun belt, and | would
advise you, d'Auriac-you who vii!
have fighting to do very soon, perhaps,
to follow my advice and make the best
use YOU eau VI souT huiIc.
l laughed out some reply. and then
turning to mine host ordered refresh
ment for both man and beast, and di-
rected that our supper should be
served in a private room.
"And Observe" cut in Belin, 'if
Maitre Pantin arrives let him be shown
up to us at once"
How well do remember that small
room in the Two Ecus, with the dark
oak wainscoting, the furniture that
age had polished, the open window,
showing the yellow sunset between the
high-roofed and many-gabled houses.
the red Frontignac, sparkling like ru-
bies in our long-necked glasses. and the
deft service of Susette, the landlords
daughter, whose pretty lips pouted with
disappointment because no notice was
taken of her good looks by the two cav.
alters who supped together, whose
faces were so grave and whose speech
was in tones SO low as to be heard only
by each other. At last we were left to
ourselves, and Belin, who bad been ex-
planning many things to me that knew
not before, suddenly rose and began
to pace the room, saying: 'See here.
d'Auriac, have helped you for -ao
reasons. One because love Fran~a,
and the other because love you. E,G-
ry has ordered the marriage of Madanis
de la Bidache with d'Ayen to be celebra-
ted tomorrow. He gave that order to-
day to put an end to the opportunities
of the marshal in regard to de Conner
on. l know this, and madame knows
it, too. In plain language, you must
play a bold stroke for the woman you
love-take her away tonight"
THAT was partly arranged-we are
to go to Switzerland"
you will never reach the frontier
Look-there is my castle of Mourmeton
in Champagne. 1t is old and half in
ruins. See-here is my signet. Take
it, show it to Gringel, the old forester
there; he will take you to hiding
place. Stay there until the affair blows
over, and then to Switzerland or else
where if you will; in the meantime l
pledge you the faith of de Belin that
no stone will be left unturned to effect
your pardon"
TTo DE coNTINuEp.l
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