Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-01-12

tne next moment IOund mySelt lying
fat on my face beneath the oriel win
dow.
Here paused to recover myself, peer
ing down at Nicholas, who was making
an attempt to raise himself by his
hands to reach the monograms and
climb to me. STEADY" l whispered,
land catch this" Rapidly unwinding
a silllen sash | wore round my waist, in
the fashion / had learned when serving
in Spain, dropped one end toward him,
and after moment or two he managed
to seize it. Then l looped a fold of the
elk around buttress of the parapet,
and holding on to the other end told
Nicholas TO climb.
"Now for the window" said. 81 will
You keep your pistol ready, and your
eyes open-do not rise, and remember
my orders"
There is broken pane to the left, 1T
is half hidden by the curtain-you can
hear and see from there"
AS he said this | rose softly to my feet
and, finding the broken pane without
any difficulty, peered in.
The room was bright with the light of
candles, and, at a table, covered with
papers, were seated two men, whilst a
third was standing, and pointing with
his fingers at a scroll. In the man with
his back to me | had no difficulty in
recognizing de Gomeron, the one look
ing toward me was assurcdly Biron, for
his was a face that once seen could
never be forgotten. AS for the man who
was standing beside him, l knew him
not, though subsequently-bu antic-
ipate.
Biron was evidently in a high state
of excitement. He was biting at the end
Of his dark mustache, and the fingers
ofhis hand were playing nervously with
the star on his breast, whilst his shifty.
treacherous eyes were turning now on
de Gomeron, now on the figure stand
ing at his elbow. He seemed to be hest
tating. and heard de Gomeron say:
This is my price-not money, not
land, not title, but only few words
You have each one, my lord, your share
of the spoils set down in writing. do
not want so much even-all | ask is
your word of honor to favor my suit
with the king. For me the word of
Riron is enough, and know his ma jes-
ty can refuse you nothing"
MY God!" exclaimed Biron, and
writhed in his chair.
The marshal might give me the
promise ! seek, Latin," and de Gomeron
turned to the man who was standing at
Brons elbow, the word will give me
wife, not much of reward"
And the lands of Bidache and Pc
luuse-eh?"
| almost fell forwards in my eager
ness TO hear, and only checked myself
in time.
Exactly" sneered de Gomeron. "Do
you think / have risked my life for the
good of my health? See here, cheva-
lier," and he bent forward and whis-
pered a word or so that made the other
pale, and then de Gomeron leaned back
iii his chair and smiled. Biron did not
apparently see or hear, his forehead
was resting on his clasped hands, and
he seemed to be revolving the hazard
of some great step. AS for me, thought
caught the words, your instant
help" followed by "lances" and pow
er," and guessed was not wrong
that the captain had forced Lafin's
hand.
MY dear de Gomeron," he said, 1.-The
marshal is willing enough, but you
know the common talk, that the king
has other views for madame, and that
NJ. D'Ayen-" But Biron interposed.
M. de Gomeron, you ask too much
Nine. de la Bidache is of the first nobil
ity. Tremouille was my friend. 1t is
too much"
and I give monseigneur a crown"
"Peste! NY lord-after all, NJ. de
Gomeron has deserved his price-and a
good sword and better head must not
be thrown away. Remember, mon
Geigneur, an open hand makes faithful
hearts," said Latin.
But the king would never consent"
began Biron.
Give me your word to help me, mon
seigneur, 1 will do the rest for myself"
Give il, my lord"
Biron hesitated for a moment, and
then suddenly threw up his hand.
very "cIi-ltl II Dc as YOU WISH. L
promise, NJ. de Gomeron."
Enough, my lord-I thank you.
Chevalier Lain has laid before you in
detail all our resources. Let me now
show you this" He unrolled a parch-
ment that was before him, and handed
il to the marshal. "Here," he added,
''are the signatures ofa'. 1t only needs
that of BirOn-uOw Sipu."
l could hear the beating of my heart
in the silence that followed, and then
Biron said, hoarsely: mo! No! l. will
never put my name to paper"
"Morbleu! marshal" burst out Lain.
This is no time for nibbling at a cher
ry. Tremouiile and Epernon have
signed. Put your seal to the scroll, and
the day it reaches NJ. de Savoye, 10000
troops are across the frontier, and you
will change the cabbage gardens of
Biron for the coronet of Burgundy and
la Bresse."
"And see your head on a crown piece,