The Holly chieftain., 1899-05-26
SYNOPSIS.

D'Aurlac, commanding outpost where
scene Is laid. tells the story. De Gomeron
- In temporary command. appointed by
Gen. de Rome to examine into a charge
against d'Auriac. Nicholas. 4 sergeant
brings in a man and woman, from kings
camp at lie Fere, prisoners. D'Auriac
Angered by insulting manner OF de Gomeron
toward woman. strikes him, duel follows
and prisoners escape. Duel is Interrupted
by appearance of de Rome. and d'Auriac Is
told he win hang II found alive at close
of morrow's battle. Riding over field next
day dAuriac finds Nicholas, victim of de
Gomeron's malice. In imminent danger of
death. and releases him from awful pre-.
dicament After battle in which King
Henry utterly routs de Rone's forces,
d'Auriac, lying severely wounded. sees two
forms moving through the darkness rob-
bing the bodies of the dead and wounded,
They find golden collar on de Leyva's
corpse. and Babette stabs Mauginot cher
partner) to gain possession. Henry with
retinue. among whom IL fair prisoner who
had escaped from de Gomeron and d'Ayen,
her suitor. rides over the field. Madame
rescues d'Auriac. and afterwards visits him
daily in hospital. Here he learns his friend
IN heiress OF Bidache. When well enough
he Is taken to her Normandy chateau.
where he learns from Maitre Palm,
madame's chaplain, the king u about to
force her to marry d'Ayen. He sets out
with Jacques. his knave. for Paris. to
"
no comes upon Nicholas. his old sergeant,
who says de Gomeron Is in neighborhood
with associates from army and nobility,
plotting treason against the king. They
20 to de Gomeron's retreat where they
manage to overhear details of plot. Burn
Ing with revenge. Nicholas shoots at dc
Gomeron. Flying for their lives. the two
men think themselves beyond pursuit.
when suddenly they are face to face with
Biron. one OF the traitors. whom d'Auriae
cuts down, and with de Gomeron, who
makes short work of Nicholas; d'Auriac
escapes. Arriving In Paris the chevalier
lays what he knows of reasonable plot be-
fore 6ully. master general of ordnance.
Calling on de BelIn, friend. d'Auriac Sc
cures from him a servant. Ravaillac. who
had previously been In service of d'Ayen.
D'Ayen's marriage to Madame de la Bidac
d to occur within fortnight, de Belin to
stand sponsor. Palm and madame arrive
in Paris. DAuriac has suspicious aroused
concerning Ravaillac; later witnesses
meeting with de Gomeron, therefore dis
misses him. The chevalier II introduced at
court by de Belin. where he charges Biron
with being traitor to France and king. For
his pains Henry gives him "a hours to quit
France. King now cQumands marriage
TO be celebrated on the morrow. making It
imperative that flight occur that night. II
madame be saved. D'Auriac therefore
meets her secretly. when masked men
swoop down on pair and carry them of.
bound and gagged. After n hours i'm
prisonment. during which he has inter-
view with de Gomeron and Babette, he
manages to escape. At his lodgings he
finds jacques. Palm. de Belin and his host
Pantin assembled In council. Next morn
ing Pantin and d'Auriac. disguised. go to
Toison dor. q sort Of Inn next building to
which he and madame had been taken.
D'Auriac hires q room, and from 4 win
dow reaches roof Of next building where.
through = skylight. he witnesses meeting
of de Gomeron and tYo confederates. They
plan another meeting for that night when
iBiron will be present. He determines to
communicate again with Sully. but Ravail-
lac and de Gomeron being below. and fear
ing detection, Is compelled to bide his op-
portunity. After time he sees in window
opposite face OF madame. They communi-
cate by means of signs, he telling her de-
liverance IL at hand. When night falls
d'Auriac goes to join de Belin, whom he
meets on his way with Pantin and 4 friend.
All go to nnd the king (who is on = night
frolic) at an ordinary.