The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-05-26

X
the table, porting over number of
documents and conversing in low tones.
After time it appeared to me that
Lain was urging something on de
Gomeron, and the free lance, who was
short of temper, brought his clenched
hand on the table in manner to make
the glasses ring whilst he said with an
| oath:
81 will mott have risked too much.
1 have told you before that did not
come into this for the good of my health.
My prize is my own. 1t has nothing to
do with your affair, of which I am sick. "
The other man then cut in:
ST do not see, M. de Lain, why we
should drag this matter into our dis
| cussion. If NJ. de Gomeron wants a
| wife-well-many a fair dame has had
| rougher wooing than the lady you
| speak of. But II have cause for COM
plant. I come here expecting to meet
the marshal-and 1 meet you and mon
sieur here. 1 mean no offense, but I
must tell you plainly, my masters in
structions are that should hear NJ. de
Biron's promises and take his demand
from his own lips"
"And what about Epernon, Bouillon
and Tremouille, count?" asked de Com
eron.
The dark eyes of the stranger flashed
on him for moment.
'My master, the duke of Savoy.
| knows their views"
"Personally?"
toll SC hon n
| laugh. "Gentlemen, have given you
my terms-it is for you to choose. AS
for my part 1 would that my master
dropped this business and trusted the
day to his sword"
'That is not wont to be NJ. de Savoy's
way" sneered Lain, and the Italian
rose.
VERY well, messieurs, I will then con-
| slider the issue as closed"
cit matters not a rush to me-" ex-
claimed de Gomeron; but Lain, who
was modify plucking at his mustache.
| spoke again, and the tones of his voice
| were full of chagrin:
Gas you wish. l 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 to
come at that hour
ct is safe, and would be safer still if
you stayed here till then. The spies
of the master general-curse him-are
everywhere, and NJ. de Gomeron will
guarantee your protection here"
,1xy f1,1 no
bowed slightly, a faint tone of irony in
his voice. ''Then you agree?"
EYES,"
The voices dropped again after this,
and they began to pore over the papers
and a map that the free lance had
spread before him, making an occasion
al remark, which did not follow. But
I had heard enough to be convinced
that the plot of Anet was still in full life.
It was all important for me now to COM
municate what 1 knew at once to the
master general. With little ordinary
care the conspirators could be trapped
to a man, and if by one stroke could
effect this, as well as free madame
anything was possible. Without fur
ther hesitation l therefore crept slowly
back and descended to my chamber as
softly as cat. Leaving the ladder
swinging where it was, for could not
undo the knot. l drew on my boots and
went to the turret to reconnoiter before
venturing out into the street. Imagine
my chagrin and disappointment to see
that three men were at the gate of the
Toison dor, evidently on the watch, and
in one of them made out Ravaillac.
might have passed the others without
discovery, but it would be impossible
to escape the lynx eyes of this villain
who, though young in years, had all the
craft Of age, and who later on was to
raise himself to an eminence SO bad that
know not whom to place beside him,
except, perhaps, those who were his
aiders and abettors. did not fear to
run the gauntlet-that was an easy mat
ter; but merely doing so would make
by birds take to wing, and found my
self compelled once more to hold pa
thence by the tail until the coast was
clear.
CHAPTER XIX.
PLAIN HENRI DE BOURBON.
In a little began to cool and souphf