Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1899-02-16
CHAPTER VIII.
NJ. DE PREACLN.

l KEPT OH tne ROAD rs liI dS lDc>Sipie
TO avoid being tracked. Even il no
further attempt 10 follow me was made
tonight. which was uncertain. rs de
Gomcron Was not the man TO let the
barest chance slip through his fingers.
vet there was no doubt as to what would
happen on the morrow. congratu-
lated myself on having crippled the last
Of the sleuth hounds. as my gentlemen
would be placed thereby in a difficulty
In regard to my route, and il they
secured the country in twos and threes
felt- confident of being able. with
Jacques aid, to give a good account of
myself did we meet. despite my bruised
leg. which reminded me of itself I'M.
pleasantly.
A. paitcd Couronne's neck ] though;
OF Nicholas. and with the memory of
him the face of Marie came mp. felt
myself in a measure responsible for his
death. and was resolved to weigh out in
fall to Marie the payment had prom
ised them both. IL was debt would
discharge To the end of the measure.
y sense of relief came to my mind
aith this resolve, and, rs Rouyres could
not be far distant I slackened pace ~
let the horses breathe n triilc, and be-
gan 10 hastily plan my future course of
action on reaching Paris. had not
only discovered what was evidently
deep and widely spread plot. but had
also stumbled ON the dreadful secret OF
the death Of The woman who was TO be
queen of France in name. as she was in
reality. Ii was certain that she had
been foully murdered. II WAS certain
that the kings most trusted captain
and many of his greatest mobiles were
Hit deep in treachery-so much knew.
had seen wit mine own eyes. and heard
with Iaine own ears. but beyond this
I had no proofs; and what would my
word weigh against theirs. Besides
this. there MAS NY own trouble.
DAyen's mocking warning WAS explicit
enough. when read with Palms con-
fidence. and any doubt may have had
on that point was almost set Mt rest by
what had overheard. In short. ! was
the rival of the king. and felt my head
very loose upon my neck.
What was to do: IL WAS no easy
matter TO decide: but came TO he con
clusion that my best course WAS To
seek out the all-powerful Sully. tell him
what | knew, and beg the help of that
great man. did not know him, eN-
cept by repute; but my case was strong
aud my cause good. lwould delay not
moment about this on reaching Paris;
hut il was Rouyres | had Ia come 10
FIRST. and many n league lay for refec
ton between me and the Louvre.
At last | heard the Iauds chime sol
emnly out into the night, and in few
minutes pulled up the weary beasts be-
fore the gates of Rouvres. Here found
n difficulty ! might have anticipated.
The gates were shut and the unpleasant
prospect of dreary wait of some hours
lay before me. This was not To he
borne. and raised a clamor that
aight have awakened the dead. IL
had the desired effect of rousing the
watch NJ the gate. a wicket was opened.
the light of lantern flashed through,
and gruff voice babe me begone.
open" roared, open in the kings
name"
"PardieuI monsieur, the gates are
kept shut in the kings name, and his
majesty does not like his subjects rest
being disturbed" answered another
voice, and from its tone and infection
guessed il was that of an officer.
"In that case, monsieur" / said, "let
me in so that we may both go to our
beds. and thousand apologies for dis
turbing you. My servant is already at
the Grand Cert, and one man cannot
take Rouvres."
Then you are that N. de Preaulx Of
the Anjoumois, whose lackey Jacques
Bison arrived last night-for it is
morning now?"
"You keep good watch, monsieur. who
else should / be?- ] said with an in
ward thank heaven" at the accident
that had discovered to me my new
| name.
There was no reply for q moment,
though heard some one laughing, and
the rays Of the light were cast to the
right and to the left of me to see that
/ was really alone. Finally orders were
given for my admission. The gates