The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-01-21

this" And the king, who was bad
loser, rose from his seat impatiently, 1t
the same time forgetting TO hand over
the lost rouleau OF pistoles he had lost
to Bassompierre, and thrusting them
back into his pocket with an absent
! gesture
Az II 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 BIZ
ron ?" asked ten voices In a breath
"YeS, NJ. de Gle" put In the king.
'-where Is Biron?"
'Sire, the marshal IL indisposed. He
has begged me 10 present his excuses
and to say he is too III TO come tonight"
and as he spoke saw de Gies jeweled
fingers trembling, and his cheek had
lost all color.
This Is sorry news TO spoil gay
evening" said the king; and the master
general, pulling comflt box from his
vest pocket, toyed with IL In his hand as
he followed. "Biron must be III indeed
TO stay away, sire. What does your mar
esty think? Shall we begin our ram
bles by calling on monseigneur?"
"The very thing, grand master; we
will start at once"
"But, sire, the marshal Is too III 20
see anyone, even your majesty" said de
Gle, desperately, and with whitening
lips
| / thought l heard de Vitry mutter
Traitor" under his thick mustache,
but the guardsman parried my glance
with an unconcerned look. There was
silence Of a half minute at de Gie's
speech. and the king redeemed TO his
forehead
IF 1t Is as you say, NJ. lie vicompte, I
know the marshal too well not to feel
sure that there are two persons whom
he would see were he dying-which God
forbid-and one Of the two Is his king.
Grand master, we will 60, but"-and his
voice took q tone of sharp command,
and his eye rested first on de Gle and
then on the figure of tall cavalier, at
whose throat flashed the jewel of the St.
Esprit-"but I must first ask M. de Wit
ny TO do his duty"
AS for me, was dumb with astonish-
ment, and half the fnces 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 of his rnpier with
sarcastic smile ard handed the
weapon to the captain OF the guard;
but we could hear the clicking of the
buckles az de Gie's trembling fingers
tried in vain TO unclasp his belt. SO
agitated was he that lie Vitry had to
assist him IN his task before II was ac-
complished.
The king spoke again In the same
grating tonesi
M. de Bassompierre and you. de Luy-
mes, leave the prisoners in your
charge. In the meantime, messieurs,
we viii slightly change our plans.
shall not go myself TO the marshals
house; but 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 win come
to me-the grand master knows where"
"You will be careful, sire, said Sully.
'Mordieul Yes-go, gentlemen"
/ was about to follow the others, but
Delin caught me by the arm as he
passed out. "Stny 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 II were not true--if II were not
true
Suddenly he reused himself. "Come,
de vitry-my mask and cloak-,nd you,
too, sir" he said, turning on me with a
hnrsh glance. He put on his mask, drew
the collar of his roquelaure up 10 his
cars, and In moment recognized the
silent stranger who had ridden of so
abruptly from under the portico Of ST.
Merri. could not repress my start OF
surprise, and I thought caught a
strange glance In de Vitry's eyes, but
the kings face WINS impressive as stone.
1--WE go out by the private stair, sire |;
| d'Aubusson Is there with the horses"
| With these words be lifted the tapestry
| Of the wall and touched q door. II
swung DUCK OF llb OWL hCCOru, anu tLlc
king stepped forward, the captain OF the
guard and myself on his heels When
we gained the little street at the 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 10 do likewise,
mounted himself.
"Monsieur," said the king 10 me, rein
Ing in his FESTIVE horse. ''you will lead
us straight 10 your lodging, next TO the
ToIson dor"
eyes, SIRE" made answer; "but 4.
Will be necessary 10 leave the horses
by ST. Martins, as their presence near
the Toison dor might arouse curiosity
and suspicion"
"I understand, monsieur. have the
goodness TO lead on"
At st. Martins we dismounted. There
was whispered word between the lieu
tenant and de vltry, and then the king,
de vitry and myself pressed forward on