The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-03-10
thank you. May ask if you did not

receive warning at La Fere and an.
other at Bidache?"
From NJ. d'Ayen-yes. monseigneur.
l refuse to believe what heard"
"And yet your name heads list Of
half a dozen whom the kings peace
does not touch. One of my reasons for
receiving you was to have you arrest
cd"
1T is high honor, all this bother
about a poor gentleman of Normandy,
when Guise, de Mayenne. Epernon and
others keep their skins whole"
"You have flown your hawk at too
high quarry. monsieur"
Then that painted ape, d'Ayen. told
true tale" burst out. in uncontrol-
able anger. "Monseigncur. do what you
will to me. Remember that you help to
the eternal dishonor of the king"
The words hit him, and the blood
flushed darkly under the pale olive of
the mans cheek.
Monsieur, you forget yourself"
ut is not 1, but you who do so. You
who forget that your name is Bethune.
Yes, touch that bell. make no resist
ance. 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.
IN. d'Auriac. 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
well as the honor of the king is at
stake. Do you think am likely to
throw my hazard like an infant?"
I was silent; but dim ray of hope
ficl>ered up in my heart as looked at
the man before me, and felt, know not
why, in the glance of his eye, in the
tone of his voice. in his very gestures,
that here was one who had conquered
himself. and knew how to rule.
Now, SIR" he went on, the animation
in his tone dropping to cold and frigid
note. proceed with your tale"
1t was thing easier ordered than
done; but 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 Biron and Zamet.
When l told what I heard 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 a 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. ut is all-no,"
and with sudden thought, "give me 20
men, and in a week put the traitors
in your hands"
He fairly laughed out: "Corboeuf!
NJ. lie Chevalier, do you want to set
France ablaze?"
ut seems. monseigneur, that the torch
is held at Anet," I answered, little
sulkily.
"But not lighted yet-leave the deal
ing with that to me. And, monsieur,
the king is Mt Fontainbleau, and for a |
month nothing can be done. And see
here. monsieur, I 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. l will 60 so far as to promise |
that you will be received"
All the little hope I had begun to |
gather f1uttered away at these words |
like scrap of paper cast in the wind
'Monseigneur," I said, and my voice
sounded strangely even to my ears, Gin
/ month 1t will be too late"
Leave that to me-" he answered.
Il thank you, monseigneur, but there
s one little favor ask"
"And that is?"
"The kings peace until I see the
sing."
"You would be safer in the chatelet,
ssure you. but as you wish-stay; there
S one thing. Not word of your inter-
Jew with me-even to the king"
My hopes rose again. ION my faith
IS gentleman I will not mention it,"
AS l finished he struck his bell sharp
y twice, and Ivoy entered.
"Ivoy. do me the favor to conduct NJ.
a - L. |