Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
CHAPTER Ii.
The Marshal's Chamber

hand on his boulder, and with a start he
turned to face Henriet. Making a quick
sign the clerk turned and led the way to the
marshal's chamber, and Laurence, trembling
and walking, as in a dream, passed within
the portals whence return for him seemed so
uncertain. AS he entered, the marshal
threw himself upon a chair, reclining his
head with a wearied air upon the hands
which were clasped behind his head. 1t
was in the action Of throwing himself back
that one could see that GILES de Retz was
a young, and not an old man, though ordi-
narily his vitality had been worn to the
quick, and both in appearance and in move-
ment he was already prematurely aged.
what is your name?"
The question came with military direct
ness from the lips Of the marshal OF
France.
Laurence MacKim." said the lad. with
equal directness.
For what purpose did you come to The
castle OF Machecoul?"
IL came" said Laurence coolly. ito take
service with you, my lord. And because I
was tired Of monk rule and getting only the
husks Of life, while l sat dumb and watched
others eat the kernel"
"Ha," cried GILES de Retz," I am with
you there. There is after all some harmony
between our immortal parts. l would have
all %life-husk, kernel, stalk-aye. and the
root that grows amid the dung!"
He paused a moment, looking at Laurence
with the air OF a connoisseur.
Come hither, lad" he said with a soft
and friendly accent; 'sit on this seat with
your back to the wall. Turn your head so
that the lamp shines Alright upon your
face. You are not SO handsome as was re-
ported, hut there is something wonderously
taking about your countenance, I do admit.
There, sit so and fear nothing.
Laurence sat down with the bad grace Of
a manly youth who is admired for what he
privately d~espises, and wishes himself we'll
quit Of 1t. But Notwithstanding there was
something so insinuating and pleasant about
the marshalis manner that the lad almost
thought he must have dreamed the Incident
| of the burned door and the sacrifice upon the
iron altar.
You came hither to search for Margaret
Of Douglas!" said the marshal, suddenly
bending forward as II to take him by sur
prise.
Laurence, wholly taken aback. answered
neither yea nor nay. but held his peace.
Then GILES de Retz nodded sagely, with a
quiet satisfaction in his own provision which
to one less bold and reckless than the young
| CleTk VI Dulee SOT WOulu ave pIoNcu ulo>
concerting. Then he propounded his next
question.
"How many came hither with you?"
"One!" said Laurence, promptly. II came
here with your servant De Sille %alone!"
The marshal smiled.
"Good, we will try some other method
with you," he said; "but be advised and
speak. None hath ever hidden aught from
| GILES de RetZ!"
Then, my lord" said Laurence there Is
the less reason for you to put me- to the
question:"
81 can expound dark speeches." said the
marshal, land l also know my way through
the subtleties of lying tongues! Hope not
to lie to me. How many were they that
came to France with you?"
II will not tell you!" said the son Of
Malise.
The marshal smiled again and nodded his
head repeatedly with a certain gustful ap-
probation.
"You would make a good soldier. 1t is a
pity that l have gone out OF that business.
Yet I have only as it were descended from
wholesale to particular, from the gross to
the detail"
Laurence, who felt that the true policy was
to be sparing of his words, made no an
swer. .
There came a low voice In his ear, chill
and sinister.
"You do well to look out upon the fair
world. None knoweth when we may have
to leave it. Yonder is a star. Look we'll at
1t. They say God made IL. Perhaps he
takes more interest In 1t than he does In
the concerns Of this other world he hath
made!"
The son of Malise. MacKim gripped him
self, as 1t were, with both hands, and turned
a face pale as marble to look into the grim
countenance which hid the soul OF the lord
Of Machecoul.
Giles de Retz appeared to peruse each
feature of the boys person as II he read in
a book. Yet even as he gave back glance for
g~lanace. and with the memory OF what he
had seen yet fresh upon him, a strange
courage began to glow in the breast tt the
young Scot There came a kind of contempt,
loo. into his breast, as though he had II In
him to be a man. in despite of the devil and
all his works.
The marshal continued his scrutiny. and
Laurence returned his gaze with interest.
well, boy" said the marshal, smiling as
as II not ill-pleased at his boldness, "What
do you think OF me?"
II think, sir" said Laurence, boldly, that
you have grown older since I saw you in tho
lists at Thrieve!"
1t seemed to Laurence that the words were
given him. And all the time he was saying
to himself. Now, / have done 1t. He will
surely now put me to death. He cannot help
himself. Why did l not stick to 1t that I
was an Irelander?"
But somehow the answer seemed like an
arrow from a bow shot at a venture. enter
ing In between the joints Of the marshal's
armor.
do you think so?" he said. with some
startled anxiety. yet without surprise; colder
than at Thrieve| do not believe 1t. II is
impossible. Why, ! grow younger every day.
1t has been promised me that l should"
And, setting his erbow on the sill OF the
window, GILES de Retz looked thoughtfully
out upon the cool dusk OF the rose garden.
| Then, all at once, it came to him what was