The Holly chieftain., 1899-02-17
CHAPTER v.-coxrISuEp.

WIZ never DTaWleT OT DluSteTeI,
and least OF all did wish to worry
these poor people, but the times
were such that mans safety
lay chiefly in himself, for the writ
Of the king ran weak in the out
lying districts. The whole business.
too, was SO strange, that i was de-
termined to fathom it, and unbuckling
my sword. placed it on table SO as to
be ready on the instant. und then, seat
ing myself on stool beside it. said
somewhat sharply:
Enough. my girl; get me some wine,
and take out some to my servant. This
will pay for it," and rang fat crown
piece on the table. Hurry your father
il you can. and I will be gone the mo-
ment my horse is shod."
My tone was one not to be denied
and taking up the money. she turned to
n cupboard, and with shaking fingers
drew q bottle thcrefrom and placed it
before me. Filling cup asked her to
bear 1t back to Jacques. and then lean
ing back against the wall, took pull
at my goblet, and judge of my surprise
when found was tasting nothing
short of d'Arbois of the '02 vintngc!
It was getting dark now within the
room, over which the flames of the fire
occasionally blazed up and cast fitful
and uncertain light. Outside. however,
there was moon, and in few min
utes Mt the most my horse would be
shod, and would have to continue my
journey. without having discovered what
this little mystery meant. l could not
help being little amused at the man.
ner in which my bashful friend, whose
face was SO well covered up, kept him
self a prisoner in his corner. but at this
moment the girls cooking was finished
and the savory odor of 1t was appar-
emily more than lie could endure. for he
suddenly sprang to his feet, ,exclaiIning:
"Nom du diable! | am sick of this,
and hungry as wolf. Give me my sup
per, Marie-and II he wants to take me
let him do SO II he can-he will have
to fight an old soldier first"
As he spoke I distinctly saw his hand
indicate me. and with an alarmed cry
the girl sprang between us. 1t flashed
upon me that my gentleman was, after
all, only some one who was wanted, and
that he regarded me with ms much ap-
prehension rs / regarded him with
caution.
"Tush!"I said. you good people make
q great fuss over nothing. ! certainly
do not want to take you, my man. and
neither you nor your little sweetheart
here need be the least alarmed"
I had hardly finished speaking when
he rushed forward. "It Is the chevalier
1T is NJ. d'Auriac idiot, turkey,
pig that am to have kept my eyes shut,
and not recognize you. Monsieur, do
you not know me-Nicholas, your SER
geant, whom you saved from the rope?"
where you appear likely to go again.
Nicholas; but what are you skulliing
about here for2" The wood in the fire
place blazed up as spoke. and saw
Nicholas shift uneasily and look at the
stood with her hands holding on to his
cloak.
This place was my home once, mon
sieur," she said, bitterly, land l have
come back to it,"
II see you have, sergeant-but why in
this way?"
Monsieur, wns driven to straits and
did thing. Then they hunted me
from Dreux to Rouvres, from Rouvres
to Anet-"
"And from Antt came you here?"
"It Is but stone-throw." Nicholas
answered, "and | had business in
hand. After which we were going
away"
While he was speaking Marie lit a Ian
thorn, and saw that my ex-ser-
gennt was evidently in the lowest water.
He hud been q smart soldier, but was
how unkempt and dirty, and his eye had
the shifty look of a hunted animal. He
wore rusty corselet and n rustier chain
cap on his head, drawn over a bandage
that covered his ears. As my eye fell
on the bandage called to mind the
mutiiation that had been inflicted on
him, brand that had cast him out Of
the pale of all honest men. Nicholas
watched my glnnces, and ground his
teeth in rage. II will kill him." he
hissed. "kill him like the dog he is
monsieur. that was my business"
"Then de Gormeron---''
ais but an hours ride away. mon
sieur-at Anet."
"At Aneti What doas he do there?'
.Afonsicur." he answered hoarsely.
tsking me by the sleeve Of my doublet,
II know not: but fortnight ago he
came here with score Of lances At his
back, and the kings commission 10 his
noalket, and be lords Il e n he wsFS