The Holly chieftain., 1899-03-10

l
ebony and polished as glasa At the end
OF this was landing. where q couple OF
lnckeys were lounging on bench be-
fore closed door. They sprang up /
our approach. and Ivoy tapped gently at
the door.
Come in." was the answer, given in
u cold voice, and the next moment we
were in the room.
IN. lie Chcvalier d'Auriac," and Ivoy
had presented me.
Sully inclined his head frigIdIy to my
bow. and then motioned to Ivoy to re-
tire. When we were alone he turned to
me with brief "well?"
II have information Of the ptmost
Importance which wish to Law before
you."
Il hear that ten times day from peo-
pie. Will your story take long to tell2
THAT depends"
"Then for your important news, mon.
sieur. 1t must be very important to
have brought you here"
II do not understand"
He looked at me. q keen inquiry In his
glance. "You do not understand?" he
| said.
Indeed no, mcnseigneur."
Hum! you are either deeper than
take you to be or born fool Look you,
nre you not Alban de Breuil, Sieur
d'Auriac. who was lately in arms in the
service OF Spain against France as
rebel and traitor?"
II was on the side of the League"
Monsieur, the League died u. lvry."
"But rot for u.s."
He made an impatient gesture. eve
won't discuss that. Are you not the
man refer to-say yes or no."
Il am d'Auriac-there is no other OF
my name; but no more rebel or
traitor than Messieurs de Guise, de May
cnne and others. The kings peace has
pardoned us all. Why should fear TO
come to you2 have come to do you
service, or rather the king a service"
THANK you. May ask If you did not
receive warning at La Fere and an
other at Bidache2"
From NJ. d'Ayen-yes, monseigneur.
refuse to believe what heard"
"And yet your name heads list OF
half dozen whom the kings peace
does not touch. One of my reasons for
receiving you was TO have you arrest.
cd"
"It is a high honor, all this bother
about poor gentleman of Normandy
when Guise, de Mnyenne. Epcrnon and
others keep their skins whole"
"You have flown your hawk at toe
high quarry, monsieur"
''Then that painted ape. d'Aycn. told
n true tale" burst out, in uncontrol
able anger. "Monseigncur. do what yor
will to me. Remember that you help tc
the eternal dishopor of the king"
Monsieur, you forget yourself"
"It is not I, but you who do so. Yo,
who forget that your name is Bethune
Yes, touch that bell. make no resist
ance. / presume it will be the chate
let"
His hand, half stretched toward the
button OF the call bell before him sud
denly stayed itself.
"Were my temper us hasty us You,
tongue. monsieur, It would have beer
the chatelet in half an hour"
"BetteE that" began, but he inter
rupted me with quick wave of his hand
an. d'Auriac. time will come wher
you will have reason to regret the words
you have used toward me. do moi
mean regret them in the place you have
mentioned. but in your heart. In thii
business the honor of Bethune ai
wel1 MS the honor of the king Is al
stake. Do you think I am likely tt
throw my hazard like IN infant?"
'.Now. sir" he went on, the animation
in his tone dropping to cold and frigit
note, proceed with your tale"
1t was thing easier ordered thar
done; but managed 1t somehow. try
ing to be us brief as possible. withou,
missing n point. Sully listened with
out movement Of his stern features
only his eyes seemed to harden like
crystal MS I spoke of Biron and Zamet
When told what heard Of the death
of Nine. de Beaufort, he turned his head
to the open window and kept it thus un
til ended. When he looked back again
ut me, however. there was not trace
of emotion in his features. and his voice
was as cold and measured as ever as he
nsked: "And your reward for thi,
news. chevaIier%
as not to be measured in pistoles
monseigneur."
II see-and is this all?"
His tone chilled me. "It is all-no,'
md with n sudden thought, "give me &c
men, and in week put the traitors
in your hands,"
He fairly laughed out: "Corboeuf!
NJ. lie Chevalicr. do you want to SET
France ablaze?"
at seems, monseigneur, that the torc!
is held at Anet." I answered, a little
sullsily.
"But not lighted yet-leave the deal.
ing with that to me. And, monsieur
the king is nt Fontainbleau. and for a
month nothing can be done. And see
here. monsieur. can do nothing for
you-you follow. At the end of a month
go and see the king; tell him your story,
and. II he believes you, claim your re-
ward. I will go SO far as to promise
that you will be received"
All the little hope had begun to
gather fluttered away at these words
like scrap Of paper cast in the wind.
"Monseigneur," I said, and my voice
sounded strangely even to my ears, "in
a month 1t will be too late"
Leave that to me-" he answered.
~ thank you, monseigneur. but there
| is ore little favor ask"