Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-02-09

4
Fifteen hundred crowns is a fortune
iThey will be yours in six hours from
the time you free us. Think of it'll 500
crowns"
Never have l seen avarice blaze so il
face as in hers. As dropped out the
last words she shook her head from
side to side with the swaying motion OF
a serpent. Her etts glittered like those
of an asp, and between her half-parted
lips she Kissed rather than spoke to
| herself:
Fifteen hundred crownsi II l.
the price of barony-I, who have
taken life for half pistole!"
you will save two lives for this"
pleaded
But the she devil. though sorely
tempted, was faithful. What de Com
eron's power over her was | know not.
could add nothing to my offer-I had
laid my all on the hazard. and IL was
not to be done.
"Pouf!" she Knocked, you do not 60
high enough. You do not promise the
palace in the moon. But / waste my
time. Is it Yes or No. for the cap
tain?'
There was another chance still, and |
would risk that. made step nearer
the opening.
"Give me something TO drink, and !
will answer at once"
"Ahl hal monsieur requires some
courage. Here is flask of Frontignac
but it is expensive, and monsieur,
am afraid, has left his belt outside his
room; the Frontignac is five crowns"
you forgot my pockets" an
swered; here are two pistoles-hand
me the wine"
"The money first"-and she stretched
out her hand.
Like flash closed my fingers on her
wrist and drew in her hand to the full
length of the arm.
IF you scream, If you utter sound, ]
will tear your arm from its socket"
The answer was shrek that might
have been heard half mile away, and
then a foul oath and howl of pain.
II was hardly knightly deed, but there
was too much at stake 10 laince. mat
tiers, and on her scream | gave the
prisoners arm | held a wrench strong
enough TO show that l could keep my
word. As the shrill echoes of her cry
died away could hear her breathing
heavily on the opposite side of the door
and she struggled mutely and with sur
prising strength TO free herself. There
was no answer 20 her call for help
there must have been many a Shrek for
help that had rung through that ter
rible dungeon and died away answer
less but for the mocking echoes. And
Babette knew this, for she censed to
utter sound after that one long
scream, and fought in silence like she
wolf at bay. At last she leaned en-
hausted against the door, and ! felt that
hale my game was won. 1t had been an
unexpected thought, and had jumped
at the opportunity Providence had
thrown in my way.
''Do YOU hear?" ! said. "0pen the
door, or"-and gave another half turn
to her arm.
She who could inflict such suffering
On others was of those who were UNI
able to bear the slightest pain them
selves. She moaned in agony and called
out: Free me, aud promise prom
se anything"
| only laughed and repeated my or
Ter relieving the strain on her arm,
however, so that she could slip back
lalf pace or so from the wicket. Then
/ heard the great lock open and the |
hahn put down, and Babette's voice |
trembling with anger and pain.
1T is open"
The door swung outward, so that all |
rad to do was to fold my prisoners arm
rom the elbow along its face as !
,ushed il open. II kept her perfectly |
ecure and enabled me to take precau-
ion that, it turned out, was needed;
or, as | pushed the door, ! drove the
Ieath hunter back with It, and the mo
nent it was sufficiently open to let me
,ass | sprang out and seized her left
Irm. Quick as l was, however, ! was
ot quite quick enough TO avoid the
low of her dagger and received flesh
wound. which, however, was, after all,
tut slight. Then there was another
truggle, and affairs were adjusted be-
ween Babette and myself without any
pecial harm being done TO her.
"Now listen TO me-" | said. ''What-
yer happens, I will kiln you first II
here is any treachery. Take me
traight 10 madame"
.'She is not here" was the sullen re
ly.
"Then l take you with me TO the
iotel de Vile. Come 10 your senses"
She broke into the most terrible i'm
reactions; but time was precious, and
quenehed this readily enough, and at ,
lst it was clear she was utterly eowed.
gain I repeat that no harm was done,
nd IL was only dire necessity that com
elled me TO use the violence Ibid.
"Come"-and I shook her up-'where
madame2" .
She looked from right TO left with