Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1899-01-12
CHAPTER IT.
n DE ROME CANNOT READ A
CIPHER


When reached the generals pavilion
dc Rome was just mounting his horse.
o lackey standing near with >puttcr-
ing torch. and his staff in 4 little clump.
few yards away. I Saluied, and he
gave me n keen look. SAYING:
$50 you have come. NJ. d'Auriac-take
your place with the staff. viii give
you your work later on-and remem-
ber.-
81 am not likely to forget. NJ. le Mar
euis," and l moved of in the direction
Indicated.
Twas recognized and welcomed by dc
Gelin, the Young Tavanncs. lie Cosse-
Brissao. and others OF my acqnaint-
snce. | replied as best / might, but
there was no time for much talk. as
she general was moving unwaris at
rapid pace, and we were compelled 20
follow at once. I dropped lttle TO
the rear, 10 husband the strength of
my horse rs far as possible. and was
Soined by another rider.
as that you. Belin?"
MA fol! Yes"
81 was surprised TO find you here. I
thought you were with the archdulc
and de Mayenne"
What. have YOU not hear,i?"
What in she devils name could |
hear on those cursed outposts?"
Then in your ear-the Iemois have
zone from us. and de Mayenne and the
Guisard have passed over to the king
NV news is certain. and the archduke
H. - = -.
him retreat at once on Amiens."
But this does not look like n re-
treat"
NO; de Rome has lost the key OF the
cipher"
We both laughed, and Belin went on:
cit was droll. I saw him receive the
message. which the old fox must have
read at glance. But he turned it this
way and that. and looking at Egmoni.
said as calmly as possible: Ride back
90 Amiens and fetch me the key.
have lost mine and cannot follow the
cipher'-but hark," ami Belin inter
rupted himself. "there is de Rethelois'
good morning."
De Roae's voice stopped any fur
ther talk, and 7 spurred TO his side.
"Ny compliments TO Condo de Leyva
and ask him not TO waste time splitting
CT de Rethelois-tell him TO leave n suf-
ficient force 10 hold the garrison in
check. and move across the river
towards ST. Gobains-report yourself TO
me at tine ford"
galloped off. and when | reached
AAe Spaniard. whom found with some
difficulty, I discovered that he had al
ready anticipated de Rone's orders, and
had besides almost cut Oft sortie from
the city. There was nothing for H..
therefore. but 10 wish de Leyva pleas
ant day and TO go on to the ford.
BIZ this time I had come TO the out
post, and rs ! trotted past the thorn
hedge I saw, about so PAGES or so To my
right, a single hcrseman under tree.
His hands were tied behind him, and a
cord, which hung from a branch over
head, ended in a moose secured lightly
but firmly round his neck. His position
was such that IL the horse moved away
from beneath him he would hang. and
the poor wretch was absorbed in coax
ing the animal to remain steady. An
other lock showed me il was Nicholas.
the sergeant, and knowing there was
little leisure TO lose IL the hhaye was to
be saved, put spurs TO my beast and
headed towards him. was just in time,
for as ! started the old trooper gave n
loud neigh, flourished his heels in the
air. and galloped off towards the enemy,
with his name and tail streaming in
the wind. a touch OF my sword freed
Nicholas, but ii was a narrow affair.
and he lay gasping on the ground, and
as he lay there noticed that his ears
had been cropped close TO his head.
and that the wounds were quite fresh.
He recovered himself in about a min
ute, and was about 20 tell me how he
came in such n plight, but, sincerely
sorry as I was, had to cut him short.
keep the story for another day,
Nicholas" I said, land follow the ex-
ample Of your horse, who ! see is a
loyal subject, and has gone straight
back 10 the king"
With these words spurred EDWARDS,
leaving Nicholas TO follow my advice
or not. es he listed. had gathered
enough, boweyer, to find out that he