Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-02-23

and then the sound Of voices. Present
ly some one called out: I'VE had bet.
ter shut the skylight," and then an
other voice, this time Lafin's, said: mo,
it is no use, and we viii want light to
SEES"
Once more raised myself and leaned
against the edge of the opening, eyes
and ears intent. There were three men
| In the room-Latin, de Gomeron and
another whom | did not know, but
whom judged to be an italian from
his manner of pronouncing our Ian.
| guage. They were all three seated round
the table, porting over a number Of
documents and conversing in low tonea
After q time IL appeared 10 me tha4
Lain was urging something on de
Gomeron, and the free lance, who wac
short of temper, brought his clenched
hand on the table in manner to make
the glasses ring whilst he said with az
oath:
81 will not--I have risked too much
/ have told you before that | did not
come into this for the good of my health
Ny prize is my own. 1t has nothing to
do with your affair, of which am sick
The other man then cut in:
81 do not see, NJ. de Lain, why we
should drag this matter into our dis
cussion. If NJ. de Gomeron wants
wife-well-many fair dame has had
a rougher wooing than the lady yor
L - nYtt I huva for
plant. come here expecting to meet
the marshal-and meet you and mon.
sieur here. | mean no offense, but
must tell you plainly, my masters in.
structions are that l should hear M. de
Biron's promises and take his demand
from his own lips"
"And what about Epernon, Bouillou
and Tremouille, n" asked de Com.
eron.
The dark eyes of the stranger flashed
on him for a moment.
"My master, the duke of Savoy
knows their views"
Personally"
The Italian waved his hand with Q
laugh. Gentlemen, have given yor
my terms-it is for you to choose. AZ
for my part / would that my mastei
dropped this business and trusted the
day to his sword"
THAT is not won't to be NJ. de Savoyi
way" sneered Latin, and the Italian
rose.
"Very well, messieurs, will then CON
slider the issue as closed"
at matters not rush to me-" ep.
claimed de Gomeron; but Lain, who
was modify pluclting at his mustache
spoke again, and the tones of his voice
were full of chagrin:
AS you wish. | undertake that the
marshal sees YOU"
Where and when? My time is pre-
cious."
Here at ten o'clock tonight"
"Maledetto! This is not place ia
come at that hour"
at is safe, and would be safer still ii
you stayed here till then. The spies
of the master general-curse him--are
everywhere, and NJ. de Gomeron will
guarantee your protection here"
Il am deeply grateful" The count
bowed slightly, a faint tone of irony in
his voice. Then you agree2"
"Yes."
The voices dropped again after this,
and they began to pore over the papers
and map that the free lance had
spread before him, making an occasion.
Il remark, which did not follow. But
had heard enough to be convinced
hat theplot of Anet was still in full life.
Il was all important for me now TO com
nunicate what | knew at once to the
Master general. With little ordinary
,are the conspirators could be trapped
% man, and If by one stroke Icould
fleet this, as well as free madame
was possible. Without fur
her hesitation l therefore crept slowly
,ack and descended to my chamber as
oftly as a cat. Leaving the ladder
where it was, for l could not
Indo the knot, | drew on my boots and
vent to the turret to reconnoiter before
enturing out into the street. Imagine
ny chagrin and disappointment to see
hat three men were at the gate of the
Folsom dor, evidently on the watch, and
a one of them | made out Ravaillac. |
night have passed the others without
discovery, but it would be impossible
o escape the lynx eyes of this villain.
rho, though young in years, had all the
raft of age, and who later on was 10
aise himself to an eminence so bad that
know not whom to place beside him,
kept, perhaps, those who were his
iders and abettors. | did not fear to
I'm the gauntlet-that was an easy mat
sr; but merely doing so would make
y birds take to wing, and found my
elf compelled once more to hold pa.
ence by the tail until tho coast was
lear.