The Holly chieftain., 1899-03-10
CHAPTER IX.-CoNrINurp.

"Pardieu, monsieur" exclaimed
Jacques, us we turned up the Rue de
la Harpe, hard by the hotel de Cluny,
zone would think the king himself
were dead, these gentry pull such long
faces" My servants chance observa-
ton sent sudden shock through me.
What il Henry was dead! What if
had got only one thread of the plot that
was weaving at Anet? i did not an
swerJacques, but observing Capuchin
priest advancing in my direction, l
reined in Couronne, and giving him the
day, asked what it was that had be-
fallen the city. He looked up at me in
a slight surprise. and then observing
my travel-stained appearance, replied:
Il see you are stranger, sir; but
have you not heard the news?-it should
have gone far by this"
Il have not, as you see-but what Is
it? Surely the king is not dead?"
God forbid" he answered, "no-not
the king, but she who in q few weeks
would have been the queen of France" !"
"The duchess de Beaufort"
Exactly"
Il knew that; but you don't mean
to say that the city is in mourning for
the mistress OF the king"
mo, my son-not for the mistress of
the king, as you cali her, but for the
open hand and the generous heart, for
the kindly soul that never turned from
suffering or from sorrow-for Mag
dalcn bountiful, and, let us hope, Mag
dalen repentant."
Palms directions were clear, and
after crossing the pont st. Michel, a
wooden bridge, we kept to the south of
Ste Chapelle, and then, after many a
twist and turn, found ourselves in the
Rue des Deux Mondes, before the doors
Of Pantin's house.
The master himself answered my
knock and stood In the doorway, a
small, wizened figure. looking at us
cautiously from gray eyes. shadowed
by bushy white brows.
"Good day, monsieur. What is it I
can do for you?"
"You are Maitre PantinTr
"At your service"
"And am the Chevalier d'Auriac. I
have come to Paris from Bidache on
business and need a lodging. Maitre
Palm has recommended me to you."
2 Enough. monsieur lie chevalier. NV
friend Palms name is sufficient. and
have need Of clients, for the house is
empty. II monsieur's servant will lead
the horses through that lane there he
will find an entrance to the stables
and will monsieur step in and take a
seat whilst summon my wifc-An-
nette! Annettc!"
limped in and sat down. escorted by
expressions OF compassion from Pantin.
who mingled these with shouts for An
nette. In little time Nine. Pantin np-
peared. and never have seen so great
resemblance between husband and
wife as between these two. There was
the same smnll. shrivelled figure, the
same clear-cut features, the same white
eyebrows standing out prominently
over the same gray eyes. their height,
walk and tone of voice even were al
most the same. Madame. however. had
an eye to business, which her husband,
although understood him to be
notary, had not discovered TO me. and
whilst he went on to see. a. he said. to
the arrangements for the horses. Nine.
Annette struck q bargain with me for
my lodging, which closed with at once.
- was in sufacient funds to be little
extravagsnt. This matter being ar
ranged BY ny instant agreement to.her
terms. she showed me 70 my rooms,
which were % the second door. ana
eonmandsd good view Of the, river
facs. and, pocketin6 weeks rental In
advances, ths old lady retired, after rec
omrending ne 70 an ordinary where
the food was excellant and The 'FRONT.'
gnac old.
! spent The femaindsr Of the day do
Ing nothing, going forth but to sup
quietly At the Two Ecus. which I fopnd
fully upheld the GOOD name Nine. Pau-
tin had given y, and returning early to
Jasssss sa.s = psesdstly W. " ~