The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-03-10

|
knock and stood in the doorway, a
small. wizened figure. looking at us
cautiously from gray eyes, Swallowed
by bushy white brows.
Good day, monsieur. What is it l
can do for you?"
"You are Maitre Pantin?''
"At your service"
"And I am the Chevalier d'Auriac.
have come to Paris from Bidache on
| business and need lodging. Maitre
Palm has recommended me to you"
Enough, monsieur lie chevalier. MY
friend Palms name is sufficient, and
have need of clients. for the house is
empty. If monsieur's servant will lead
the horses through that lane there he
will find an entrance to the stables
and will monsieur step in and take a
seat whilst 1 summon my wife-An-
nette! Annette!"
limped in and sat down, escorted by
EXPIRE Of compassion from Pantin.
who mingled these with shouts for An
nette. In little time Nine. Pantin ap-
peared, and never have I seen so great
a resemblance between husband and
wife as between these two. There was
the same small, shrivelled figure. the
same clear-cut features, the same white
eyebrows standing out prominently
over the same gray eyes, their height,
walk and tone of voice even were al
most the same. Madame, however, had
an eye to business. which her husband,
although I understood him ito be a
notary, had not discovered to me, and
whilst he went off to see. as he said, to
the arrangements for the horses, Nine
Annette struck bargain with me for
my lodging. which closed with at once.
as was in sufficient funds to be little
eXtravagant. This matter being ar
ranged by my instant agreement to her
terms, she showed me to my rooms,
which were on the second floor. and
commanded 4 good view of the river
face, and, pocketing a weeks rental in
advance. the old lady retired, after rec
ommending me to an ordinary where
the food was excellent and the 'FRONT.'
gnac old.
spent the remainder Of the day do
ing nothing, going forth but to sup
quietly at the Two Ecus, which found
fully upheld the good name Nine. Pan
tin had given it, and returning early to
my rooms.
Jacques came in presently and lit the
tall candles that stood in the grotesque
bronze holders that projected from the
wall, and then drawing the curtains, in
quired if / needed his services further
that night.
81 don't think so, jacques, but stay!"
"Monsieur."
"How do we stand?"
20, we'll enough. monsieur. Better
really than for a long time. We have
three horses and their equipment. al
though one of monsieur's pistols is
broken. and a full $50 crowns"
"a perfect fortune-are you sure of
the crowns?'
"As I am of being here. monsieur"
"Well. then. there is something want
you to do. and attend with both ears"
"Monsieur."
II want you to take the two horses
we got at Evreux and SO crowns, and go
back to Ely. Keep ten crowns for your
self. and give 40 to the smith and his
daughter. and take them with you to
Auriac. The forester's lodge is vacant;
let them live there, or, if they like. there |
is room enough in the chateau. 1 will |
give you letter to Bozon. He wants |
help. and these people will be of service |
to him. After you have done this sell |
one of the horses-you may keep the |
proceeds-and come back to me. If am |
not here you will get certain news of me,
and can easily find me out-you follow"
Exactly"
''Then, when will you be prepared to |
start?"
'As soon as monsieur lie chevalier is |
suited with another man as faithful as
l."
"Eh:"
"Sangdieu! monsieur, shall never
forget what Pere Michel and the old
steward, Bozon, said when came home
last without you. l believe if were to
do SO again the good cure would excom-
municate me, and Maitre Bozon would
have me flung into the bay to follow. If
were to go back and leave you alone
in Paris. anything might happen. No!
No! My fathers have served Auriac for
200 years. and it shall never be said that
Jacques Bison left the last of the old
race to die alone, never"
my friend. you are mad; who the
devil talks of dying?"
Monsieur, / am not such a fool as
perhaps I look. Do not understand
that monsieur has an affair on hand
which has more to do with rapier than
, ri H. -. - |