The Holly chieftain., 1899-04-21

had been camp follower on our side
and also By the still more damning fact
that her house was known as the Toi-
SON dor. The name had been distinct
ly mentioned by her. and its meaning
was clear to me when thought OF the
dreadful scene over de Leyva's body.
AS for de Gomeron, knew him well
enough to understand his game. The
whole affair, as far as he was con-
cerned, was sudden and rapid resolve
that was clear. Iargued it out in this
way to myself, and as l went on think
Ing 1t was almost as if some one was
reading out statement of the case to
me. 1t was evident that the free lance
was to the last moment in hopes that
the king would yield to Biron's inter-
cession on his behalf. When that was
refused he may have had some idea of
gaining his end by force. but was COM
PEELED to hurry his coup by the knowl-
edge that lie had obtained from his
confederate or spy, Ravaillac.
1t had worked out well enough for
him. My disappearnpce. my dead horse
poor Couronne!-all these would
point to me as the author of the atduc-
tion. and give de Gomeron the time he
wanted to perfect his plans. The man
had run through would never tell tales.
and so far the game lay in the Cam
arguer's hands.
And then about madame. AS 1 be-
came calmer l saw that for his own
sake de Gomeron would take care that
her life was safe, at any rate for the
present, and whilst there was this con-
tingency there was hope for her, II
none for me. as felt sure that what
with the king and madame's relatives
of the Tremouille on one hand, and
Sully and de Belin on the other, things
would go hard with de Gomeron. what
ever happened to me.
Hour after hour passed. shifted my
position, and strange to say, slept.
How long 1 slept I know not; but
woke stinging with pain, and found this
was due to my being bound as 1 was,
and in little the agony became al
most insupportable, and l was on the
verge of going into delirium, only
righting my failing senses by a mighty
effort of will.
had lost all count of the time, but
guessed 1t was advanced in the day by
this; and my eyes had become so ac-
customed to the darkness that could
manage to see the faint outlines Of the
cell in which 1 was imprisoned. l
tried to make out its extent with an idle
anduseless curiosity. and then, giving 1t
up, and utterly hopeless. leaned my
head on my appraised knees, and sat thus
whiting for the end.
I longed for death to come now-it
would be happy release from my pain.
Suddenly there came grating noise
as the bolts outside were moved. Then
the door Of the cell swung open with a
groaning, and there was binding
flash of light that, for the time being,
deprived me of the powers Of sight,
though, with natural instinct, shut
my eyes to the fiash;as 1t came.
Then l heard de Gomeron's voice say.
ing: Remove the gag-I have some.
thing to ask monsieur"
As l felt two cold, hard hands fum-
bling with the knots Of the gag. I man.
aged to open my eyes, though the light
still panied me. and saw the tall figure
OF the free lance, his drawn sword in his
hand, standing in the open doorway.
and kneeling beside me was Babette.
The hag caught the loathing In my
glance, and laughed to herself as she
wrenched Mt the knots, and de Com
eron, who was evidently in no mood to
delay, hurried her efforts with sharp
'Quick!"
"It Is DONE" she answered, and rose
to her feet, swinging the silken bands
of the gag she held in her hand.
"Then have the goodness to step buck
whilst NJ. d'Auriac and discuss the po-
sition."
Babette did as she was bidden, NUT
tcring something, and de Gomeron, ad-
vancing pace, addressed me:
Monsieur. have come to make you
nm offer, and will not waste words. /
am playing to win desperate game,
and l shall not hesitate to play any card
to win. My offer is this: ask you to
sign formal document, which / shall
bring to you, holding me guiltlcss of
any design against either you or Nine.
de la Bidache. In return 1 will set You
free In ten days after you sign this pa.
per. During that time you must con-
slider yourself my prisoner; but you
will be better lodged than now. Should
you refuse to accept this offer there is
nothing left for me but to leave you here
to die."
He spoke in slow. measured accents,
and the vault Of the roof above me gave
back the mans words in solemn echo.
The light Of the lantern stretched in
long, yellow shaft up the spiral stair