Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-06-12
CHAPTER III.
THE WORD OF A PRINCE

The apartments assigned to me In
virtue Of my Office lay in the wing Of
the Louvre looking toward the old
chapels of st. Thomas, st. Nicaise and
the Quinze vingts. A balcony jutted
out from my window, and sitting there
one could see below the strange mass
Of gray and brown buildings that
chung like wasps' nests to the walls
Of the palace, to be matched only in
squalor by the high and tottering
houses, crowding and jostling each
other on the opposite side of the mar
row street. Here projecting gallery
and overhanglng turret formed an ar
cade, beneath which the grass thrust
its slender sword blades between the
green and slippery stones Of the pave
ment, and 1t was cool and dark as q
cellar, even on the hottest days in
summer.
It was to this refuge had escaped
from the sitting throng of the court.
When Lorgnac had stepped forward to
accept the ambassadors wager, felt
us IL q load was removed from my
heart. He looked SO calm and con-
fident that was sure he had perform
ed his task-that the prince had quit
ted Paris and that Chantonnay's
scheme would miscarry. Yet, never
theless, longed to be alone, and, TAX
Ing my opportunity, which came easily
enough, had slipped away to my bal
cony. here to enjoy the cool evening
breeze coming In puffs across the Seine
here to think and to argue myself
out of my folly or madness, call 1t what
you will.
Pompon sat on the balustrade and
looked at me. The creature had an In
telligence almost human. He under
stood voice and gesture perfectly, and l
had taught him to do things that were
scarcely credible. There as he sat,
gravely surveying me with unwinking
black eyes, It seemed to me that he
was reading my Utmost thoughts and
was showing a silent sympathy for me
by sitting still as a stone, INDUCING mel
ther In gambol nor antic. nor even
touching the little heap Of nuts that lay
on platter beside him.
So quantity grave was the little beast
that he distracted me in spite Of my
self, and, rising, approached him, say
ing, with q laugh:
well, mine oracle! Can you now
show me way out of my troubles7"
For answer he crept closer to me,
and we two looked down into the yard
beneath, where little doorway led
into the Rue st. Thomas de Louvre.
The doorway and the yard were used
as a passage to and from the street by
the lower servants Of the palace, and II
was ordinarily open until close upon 10
at night in summer. An archer was on
guard there, and his tall figure caught
my eye as he paced backward and for.
ward at his post. stood for minute
or so watching him, when heard a
step behind me and my name called
out. turned and saw Lorgnac.
IT knocked twice." he said, 'but you
did not answer. 30 came in. as
guessed you would be cloud gathering
here"
'There Is some wine In the flask
there" / answered, pointing to little
table where a fagon Of D'Arbois stood
but he shook his head and took place
beside me, running his hand gently
over Pompon's fur.
"Well" I said. "has Chantonnay paid
you?"
"Not yet" he laughed. ''but he will
tonight"
$50 the prince has goner'
Eyes. I found him in the house and
told him how things were. All that
was needed was horse, and gave
him NINE"
''You will be hard put to for your
equipment II there Is war, aud fame,
the peace was broken today"
"Oh. NJ. de Chantonnay's pistols
will provide thatr"
"Hein! But you are quick in coming
back after seeing the prince offr'
II did not see him Oh. Be quiet, LIT
| tie beastr' And he put Pompon on on,
side.
"Not see him orr
"No. l was on duty and could not
he gave me his word that he woult
start In an hour, and by this ther,
should be a couple Of leagues between
him and Pafis.s
III they pursuer-
WHO Is to pursue' And they will
be feet hoofs that will overtake Car
touche."
"But II he is not gone2"
"Impossiblel He knows the risk"
"Then," I said, nothing remains, oil
friend, but the wars for you and my
pears for me. l should like to sex
Besme once more"
he made no answer, and we boil
leaned together over the balustrad,
and looked down into the yard. It wal
dusk now, and the archer appeared
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