The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-03-09

lackeys were lounging on a bench be.
fore a closed door. They sprang up at
our approach, and Ivoy tapped gently al
/ the door.
Come in" was the answer, given in
IA cold voice, and the next moment we
were in the room.
"M IL. Chevalier d'Auriac," and 1voy
! had presented me.
Sully inclined his head frigrdly TO my
bow, and then motioned to lvoy to re-
tire. When we were alone he turned to
me with brief "Well?"
81 have information of the utmost
importance which wish to lay before
YOU"
81 hear that ten times a day from peo.
pie. Will your story take long to tell?
THAT depends"
"Then for your important news, mon.
sieur. It must be very important to
have brought you here"
81 do not understand"
He looked at me, a keen inquiry in his
glance. "You do not understand? ?" he
said
Indeed no, monseigneur."
Hum! you are either deeper than
take you to be or born fool. Look you,
are you not Alban de Breuil, Sieur
d'Auriac, who was lately in arms in the
service Of Spain against France as a
rebel and a traitor?"
81 was on the side of the League"
Monsieur, the League died q: Ivry."
"But not for US"
He made an impatient gesture. owe
won't discuss that. Are you not the
man | refer to-say yes or no."
81 am d'Auriac-there is no other of
my name; but no more a rebel or
traitor than Messieurs de Guise, de May
cnne and others. The kings peace has
pardoned us all. Why should fear TO
come to you? I have come TO do you a
service, or rather the king service"
Thank you. May l ask If you did not
receive a warning at La Fere and an
other at Bidache?"
From NJ. d'Ayen-yes. monseigneur.
refuse to believe what | heard"
And yet your name heads list OF
half dozen whom the kings peace
does not touch. One of my reasons for
receiving you was to have you arres St
Cd"
ut is high honor. all this bother
about poor gentleman of Normandy
when Guise, de Mayenne. Epernon and
others keep their skins whole"
"You have flown your hawk at too
high n quarry, monsieur"
"Then that painted ape, d'hyen. told
true tale" l burst out, in uncontrol.
able anger. "Monseigncur. do what you
will to me. Remember that you help to
the eternal dishonor of the king"
Monsieur, you forget yourself"
at is not I, but you who do so. You
who forget that your name is Bethune.
Yes, touch that bell | make no resist
ance. l presume it will be the chate-
let"
His hand, half stretched toward the
button of the call bell before him sud
denly stayed itself.
"Were my temper as hasty as your
tongue, monsieur, it would have been
the chatelet in half an hour"
Better that" began, but he inter
rupted me with quick wave of his hand.
an. d'Auriac, a time will come when
you will have reason to regret the words
you have used toward me. | do not
mean regret them in the place you have
mentioned, but in your heart. In this
business the honor of Bethune as
we'll as the honor of the king is at
stake Do you think / am likely to
throw my hazard like an infant?"
"Now, sir" he went on, the animation
in his tone dropping to a cold and frigid
note, proceed with your tale"
1t was a thing easier ordered than
done; but l managed it somehow, try.
ing to be as brief as possible. without
missing point. Sully listened with
out a movement of his stern features,
only his eyes seemed to harden like
crystal as l spoke of Bron and Zamet.
When | told what beard of the death
of Nine. de Beaufort, he turned his head
to the open window and kept it thus un.
til | ended. When he looked back again
at me, however, there was not trace
of emotion in his features, and his voice
was as cold and measured as ever as he
asked: "And your reward for this
news, chevalier?"
"Is not to be measured in pistoles,
monseigneur."
81 see-and is this all?"
His tone chilled me. at is all-no,"
and with a sudden thought, "give me 90
men, and in week put the traitors
in your hands,"
He fairly laughed out: "Corboeuf!
NJ. lie Chevalicr, do you want to set
France ablaze?"
at seems, monseigneur, that the torch
is held at Anet," l answered, little
sulkily.
But not lighted yet-leave the deal
ing with that TO me. And. monsieur.
the king is at Fontainbleau, and for a
month nothing can be done. And see
here, monsieur, can do nothing for
you-you follow. At the end of month
go and see the king; tell him your story.
and, if he believes you, claim your re-
ward. | will go so far as to promise
that you will be received"
All the little hope l had begun 10
gather futtered away at these words
like a scrap of paper cast in the wind.
"Monseigneur," I said, and my voice
sounded strangely even to my ears, in
month it will be too late"
Leave that to me-" he answered.
81 thank you, monseigneur but there
Is one little favor / ask"
"And that is?"
"The kings peace until l see the