Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-04-20


this" And the king, who was bad
loser, rose from his seat impatiently, at
the same time forgetting to hand over
the last rouleau of pistoles he had lost
to Bassompierre, and thrusting them
back into his pocket with an absent
gesture.
AS if in answer to his question, the
door opened, admitting the slight fig
ure and handsome face of de Gle.
Where is the marshal? Where is Bi-
ron?" asked ten voices in breath.
"Yes, NJ. de Gie," put in the king,
"where is Biron?"
"Sire, the marshal is indisposed. He
has begged me 10 present his excuses
and to say he is too i'll to come tonight"
and as he spoke l saw de Gie's jeweled
fingers trembling, and his cheek had
lost all color.
This is sorry news to spoil a gay
evening"" said the king; and the master
general, pulling a comfit box from his
vest pocket, toyed with 1t in his hand as
he followed "Biron must be Ill indeed
to stay away, sire. What does your maj
esty think? Shall we begin our ram
bles by calling on monseigneur?"
"The very thing, grand master; we
win start at once"
but, sire, the marshal Is too i'll to
see anyone, even your majesty" said de
Gle, desperately, and with whitening
lips.
1 thought heard de Vltry mutter
"Traitor," under his thick mustache,
but the guardsman parried my glance
with an unconcerned look. There was
silence of half a minute at de Gie's
speech, and the king Redeemed to his
forehead.
"If it Is as you say, NJ. lie Vicompte, l
know the marshal too well not to feel
sure that there are two persons whom
he would see were he dying-wbich God
forbid-and one of the two is his king
Grand master, we will go, but"-and his
voice took tone of sharp command,
and his eye rested first on de Gle and
then on the figure of a tall cavalier, at
whose throat flashed the jewel of the St.
Esprit-"but must first ask NJ. de Wit
ry to do his duty"
AS for me, I was dumb with astonish-
ment, and half the faces around me
were filled with amaze. Then de Wit
rvs VOICE broke the stiffness.
my lord of Epernon, your sword
and you, too NJ. lie Vicompte.'
The duke slipped off his rapier with
a sarcastic smile and handed the
weapon to the captain of the guard;
but we could hear the clicking of the
buckles as de Gie's trembling fingers
tried in vain to unclasp his belt. So
agitated was he that de Vitry had to
assist him in his task before it was ac-
complished.
The king spoke again in the same
grating tones:
an. de Bassompierre and you, de Luy-
nes, | leave the prisoners in your
charge. In the meantime, messieurs,
we will slightly change our plans. |
shall not go myself to the marshal's s
house; bu: depute you, grand master,
and these gentlemen here, al except
de Vitry, who comes with me, to repair
there in my name. Shall NJ. de Biron
not be able to see you, you will come
to me-the grand master knows where"
"You will be careful, sire" said Sully.
"Mordeu! Yes-go, gentlemen"
was about to follow the others, but
Belin caught me by the arm as he
passed out. Stay where you are," he
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 it were not true-if it were not
true"
Suddenly he reused himself. Come,
de Vitry-my mask and cloak-lnd you,
too, SIR" he said, turning on me with a
harsh glance. He put on his mask, drew
the collar of his roquelaure up to his
cars, and in a moment l recognized the
silent stranger who had ridden off so
abruptly from under the portico of st.
Merri. l could not repress my start of
surprise, and l thought | caught a
strange glance in de Vitry's eyes, but
the kings face was impassive a stone.
eve go out by the private stair, sire :;
d'Aubusson is there with the horses"
With these words he lifted the tapestry
of the wall and touched 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 tee 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 restive horse, you will lead
us straight to your lodging, next to the
Toison dor"
Eyes, sire" I made answer; "but i;
will be necessary to leave the horses
by st. Martins, as their presence near
the Toison dor might arouse curiosity
and suspicion"
II understand, monsieur, have the
goodness to lead on"
AtSt. Martins we dismounted. There
was whispered word between the lieu
tenant and de Vitry, and then the king
de Vitry and myself pressed forward on