The Holly chieftain., 1899-05-19

and ears intent. There were three men
in the room-Lafin, de Gomcron and
another whom did not know, but
whom judged to be an italian from
his manner of pronouncing our Ian
guage. They we're all three seated round
the liable, poring over number Of
documents and conversing In low tones.
After time it appeared to me that
Lnfin was urging something on de
Gomeron, and the free lance, who was
short of temper, brought his clenched
hand on the table in a manner to make
the glasses ring whilst he said with an
oath:
Il will not-I have risked too much.
have told you before that did not
come into this for the good of my health.
My prize is my own. 1t has nothing to
do with your Affair, of which am sick"
The other man then cut in:
II do not see, NJ. de Latin, why we
should drag this matter into our dis
cussion. II NJ. de Gomeron wants
wife-well--many fair dame has had
rougher wooing than the lady you
speak of. But IL have cause for COM
plant. come here expecting to meet
the marshnl-and meet you and mon
sieur here. l mean no offense, but
must tell you plainly, my masters In
structions are that should hear NJ. de
Biron's promises and take his demand
from his own lips"
"And what about Epernon, Bouillon
and Tremouille. count 2" asked de Com
eron.
The dark eyes of the stranger flashed
on him for moment.
my master, the duke of Savoy.
knows their views"
Personally"
The Italian waved his hand with a
laugh. Gentlemen, have given you
my terms-it is for you to choose. AS
for my part 1 would that my master
dropped this business and trusted the
day to his sword"
THAT is not wont to be NJ. de Savoy's
way" sneered Lain. and the italian
rose.
Very we'll, messieurs, I will then con-
slider the issue MS closed"
ut matters not rush to me-" ex-
claimed de Gomeron; but Lain, who
was moodily plucking at his mustache,
| spoke again, and the tones of his voice
were full of chagr;n:
"As you wish. undertake that the
marshal sees you"
where and when? My time is pre-
cious."
Here ut ten O'Clock tonight"
"Maledetto! This is not place to
come at that hour"
ut is safe, and would be safer still IL
you stayed here till then. The spies
| of the master general-curse him-are
everywhere, and n. de Gomeron will
guarantee your protection here"
Il am deeply grateful" The count
bowed slightly, faint tone Of irony in
his voice. Then you agree?"
"Yes."
The voices dropped again after this,
and they began to pore over the papers
and a map that the free lance had
spread before him, making nm occasion
al remark, which did not follow. But
l had heard enough to be convinced
that the plot of Anet was still in full life.
It wns all important for me now to COM
| municate what / knew at once to the
master general. With little ordinary
care the conspirators could be trapped
to man, and IL by one stroke could
effect this, as well as free madame
anything was possible. Without fur
ther hesitation l therefore crept slowly
back and descended to my chamber as
softly as cat. Leaving the ladder
swinging where 1t was, for could not
undo the knot, I drew on my boots and
went to the turret to reconnoiter before
venturing out into the street. Imagine
my chagrin and disappointment to see
that three men were at the gate of the
Toison dor, evidently on the watch, and
In one Of them / made out Ravaillac.
might have passed the others without
discovery, but 1t would be impossible
to escape the lynx eyes Of this villain,
who, though young in years, had all the
craft of age. and who later on was to
raise himself to an eminence so bad that
know not whom to place beside him,
except, perhaps, those who were his
niders and abettors. did not fear to
run the gauntlet-that was an easy mat
ter; but merely doing SO would make
by birds take to wing, and found my
self compelled once more to hold pa
tience by the tail until the coast was
clear.
A