Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-02-09

any rate had to be the first step. l be-
gan to slowly move my arms up and
down with a view to loosening the
cords that bound me; but after some
time spent in this exercise, realized the
fact that the ropes might cut through
me, but that they would not loosen.
Then il struck me, in my eagerness TO
be ace, that | might get at the knots
with my teeth; and by mighty effort
raised myself to a sitting posture, only
to s>membcr that | was gagged, and
that it was of no avail TO think of this
plan. There are those who will smile
perhaps IL their eyes meet this, and
put me down in their estimation for a
fool for my forgetfulness. That may
or may not be; but have written down
exactly what happened.
Although the new position had at
tanned did not, in any way, advance me
toward freedom, yet it gave me a sense
of personal relief. was able TO raise
my knees little, and sitting down thus,
with my body thrown little forward,
to ease the strain of the cords, began
to think and go over in my mind the
whole scene of the tragedy from the be-
ginning to its bitter end. | had no
doubt as TO the personality of Babette
| was not likely to forget her voice.
had heard ii under circumstances that
ought to have stamped it on my mem
DRY for all time; and if had the faint
est doubts on the matter they were set
at rest by the fact that she was so well
known TO de Gomeron-she probably
had been a 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
~ 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 10 understand his game. The
whole affair, as far as he was con-
cerned, was a sudden and rapid resolve
that was clear. / argued it out in this
way to myself, and as / went on think
ing Ii was almost as if some one was
reading out n statement of the case to
me. II 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-
eGge that he had obtained from his
confederate or spy, Rayaillac.
-. A H.
him. My disappearance, my dead horse
poor Couronnel-all these would
point TO me as the author of the abduc-
ton, 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 | be
came calmer | 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 | slept | know not; but
woke singing with pain. and found this
was due to my being bound as was,
and in little the agony became al
most insupportable, and | was on the
verge OF going into a delirium. only |
Fighting my falling senses by mighty
effort of will.
| had lost all count of the time, but
guessed il was advanced in the day by |
this; and my eyes had become SO &C
customed TO the darkness that | could
manage TO see the faint outlines of the
cell in which l was imprisoned. /
tried to make out its extent with an idle
anduselessc iriosity, and then, giving it
up, and utterly hopeless, leaned my
head on my appraised knees. and sat TINS
waiting for the end.
| longed for death to come now-it
would be a 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
grooming, and there was a binding
fash Of light that, for the time being,
me of the powers of sight,
though, with a natural instinct, shut
my eyes to the fash as il came.
Then heard de Gomeron's voice say
ing: Remove the gag-I have some.
thing to ask monsieur"
As l felt two cold, hard hands FUN
bling with the knots OF the gag, 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 bag caught the loathing in my
! ! tbs,
- { 8l