The Holly chieftain., 1899-05-05

nen NJ. ue Nlllerol must near
some certain news Tomorrow" said
Annette.
There speaks woman's wit" ex-
claimed Belin, well, after all. perhaps
your plan is the best"
And in this search of tomorrow l
will share Palm suddenly exclaimed.
But my heart was sore against him for
what he had said.
Pardon me, Maitre Palm. This is
my right. ! do this alone"
Your right?" he sneered.
"Yes, Maitre Palin-my right go
to rescue my promised wife,
Palm said nothing for 4 moment,
his features twitching nervously. At
last he turned to me. at is what have
hoped and prayed for" he said, hold
ing out his hand, forgive mel take
back the words so hastily spoken
it is an old man who seeks your par
dom"
I took his hand in all frankness, and
he embraced me as son, and then, in
awhile, Belin said:
I'VE must be up and doing early to-
morrow, and d'Auriac is in need of rest.
He will share my bed here tonight, and
harkee, Palm! Rouse us with the
dawn"
We then parted, the Pantius showing
the Huguenot to his chamber, and
Jacques but waiting for moment or so
to help me off with my dripping things.
Ny valises were still lying in the room,
and / was thus enabled to get the
change of apparel so much needed.
When at last we were abed l found it
impossible to sleep, and Belin was at
first equally wakeful. For this l was
thankful, rs I began to grow despon-
dent, and felt that after all l had lost
the game utterly. But the viscompte's
courage never faltered, and in spite of
myself l began to be cheered by his
hopefulness. He explained to me fully
how came that he was at tie Rue
des Deux Mondes. He wished to dis
cuss with Palm some means for discov-
ering me, and as the Huguenot, fearing
to return to the rue Varenne "A fter what
had to happen, and yet unwilling to
leave Paris, had sought Pantin's home,
de Belin had determined to pass the
night here to consult with him, giving
out to his people that he had gone on
business to Monceaux.
81 will see Sully the first thing to-
morrow" he said, as we discussed our
plans, "and if | mistake not, it is more
than madame we will find at the Toi-
son dor. Be of good cheer, d d'Auriac-
your lady will come to no harm. The
carmarguer is playing too great game
to kill a goose that is likely to lay him
golden eggs. I'm afraid, though, he has
spoilt greater game for his master"
How do you mean?" l asked, inter,
ested in spite of myself.
only this, that unless you are eX'
| tremely unfortunate l regard the res
cue of Nine. de Bidache as certain
am as certain that this will lead to the
arrest of de Gomeron and his confed
| erates-they will taste the wheel, and
that makes loose tongues, and it may
lead TO details concerning NJ. de Biron
that we sadly need"
"It seems to me that the wheel is
perilonsly near to me as we'll"
There is the edict, of course" said
de Belin, but madame's evidence will
absolve you, and we can arrange that
you are not put to the question AT
once"
The cool way in which he said this
would have moved me to furious anger
against him did not know him to be so
true friend. AS it was l said sharply:
THANK you; l will take care that the
| wheel does not touch me-"
Very WELL" he answered.; "and now
l shall sleep-good night"
He turned on his side and seemed tc
drop off at once, and as / lay through
the weary hours of that night ! some,
times used to turn to the still figure AT
my side with envy at the peace of his
slumber.