The Holly chieftain., 1899-05-26

Lie fltfy uuJusecu thc kluk Stlfrup,
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" made answer; 'but il
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
foot, leaving d d'Aubosson and the troop
ers with the horses. 1t would take too
long, II indeed have the power, to de-
scribe the tumult in my mind as we
wound In and out of the Cross streets
and by lanes toward the Toison dor
At last we came to the jaws of the blind
passage, and whispered to de vitry
that we were there. The king turned to
de vitry and asked:
care you sure the signals are under
stood. de vitry?"
Eyes, sire"
There was no other word spoken, and
keeping on the OF side of the road. to
avoid passing Immediately before the
door of the Toison dor, where it was
possible guard might be set, we went
onward toward my lodging. Favored
by the mist which still hung over the
passage, we got through without acci-
dent; but perceived that not light
glimmered from the face of Babette's
house. though could hear the bolts of
the entrance door being drawn, as il
some one had entered moment or so
before we had come up. My own lodg-
ing was, however, different, and
through the glaze Of the window we
could see the sickly glare of the lamp
in the shop where monsieur and mad
anne were no doubt discussing the bust
ness Of the day.
eve must quiet my landlord and his
wife," whispered to vitry as we came
up to the door.
Every WE'LL" he said. and then I
knocked.
The fence, who was alone, himself
opened the door. "Ah, captain" he
exclaimed, 1--WE thought you were lost; I;
but I see you have friends" He said
no more, for seized his throat with a
grip of iron, whilst de vitry laced him
up with his own belt. An improvised
gag put stop to all outcry, md in a
trice he was lying like log amongst
his own stolen wares.
$50 far so good. DE vitry, you will
stay here. At the first sound of the
grand masters whistle you will answer
it, and they will know what to do.
have something to say to NJ. d'Auriac
Take me to your room. SIR"
I bowed, and, lighting taper that
stood in holder of nodded brass-a
prize that had doubtless come to my
landlord through one OF his clients-led
the way up the rickety stairs, and
stopping at the door of my chamber
opened it to let the king pass. For an
instant he hesitated, fixing his keen and
searching eyes on me-eyes that flashed
and sparkled beneath the mask that
covered half his features, and then
spoke:
IN. d'Auriac, are You still an enemy
Of your hng?"
could make no answer. did no,
know what to say-and stood, candle in
hand. in silence. Then Henry laughed
shortly and stepped into the room, and
shut the door as followed, and
turned up the lamp on my table. Then,
facing the king, I said: "Sire, await
your orders"
He had flung of his cloak and mask
and was leaning against the wardrobe
one hand on the hilt Of his sword, and
ut my words he spoke slowly: II de
sire to zee this room in the Toison dor
and to look upon the assembly that has
met there with my own eyes"
Now, sire!"
"Yes, now"
"Your majesty. ii is not now posi-.
ble!"
"Ventre St. Gris-not possible!"
"Permit me, sire-the only way is by
this window. II your majesty will step
here, you will see the risk of 1t. will
go and see II they have met; but con.
iure you not to make the attempt. The
slightest accident would be fatal"
"Do you think have never scaled q
rock BEFORE" he said craning out OF
the window. "Am child, II. d. 'Auriac
or miiletonnerres! Because my beard
is gray. am I in my dotage? will 60
strand thank God that for this mo.
ment l can drop the king and be sim
pie knight. You can stay behind, mon
sieur. II you like. 60 to test the truth
of your words"
"Your majesty might saye yourse1f