Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-07-04

u AN w VA
j. WEYMAN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
twenty feet at least on every side from /
the base of the wallis The gatehouse.
Pavannes had shown us. might be /
blown up with gunpowder, indeed. but I
we prepared to close the iron grating
which barred the way half way up the |
ramp. This done. even If the enemy
should succeed in forcing an entrance |
he would only find himself caught in
a trap-in steep, narrow way eX-
posed to fire from the top of the /
thanking wallis as we'll as from the
front. We had couple of culverines,
which the vicomte had got twenty |
Years before. at the time of the battle |
of ST. Quentin. We fixed one of these
at the head of the ramp. and placed /
the other on the terrace, where by NOV /
Ing 1t few PAGES forward We coula !
train 1t on Beers house, which Tins
lay at our mercy.
Not that we really expected an at |
tack. But we did not know what to
expect or what to fear We had not ten
servants. the vicomte having taken a
score of the sturtliest lackeys and
keepers to attend him at Bayonne. And
we felt Immensely responsible. Our
main hope was that the vidame would
at once go to Paris and postpone his
vengeance. So again and again we cast
longing glances at the House Of the
Wolf hoping that each symptom of
hustle heralded his departure.
Consequently 1T was a shock to me.
and great downfall of hopes. when
Gil. with n grave face, came to me on
l,o n NJ 10
Vidame was at the gate, asking to see
mademoisellc.
ut is out of the question that he
should see her." the old servant added.
scratching his head In grave perplex-
ity.
Most certainly. 1 will see him in
stead" l answered. stoutly. do you
leave Francis and another at the gate,
Gil. Marie, keep within sight, lad
And let Croisette stay with me-"
These preparations made-and they
took up scarcely a moment-I met the
vidame at the head of the ramp. Mile.
de Caylus." l sald bowling. 'is. I regret
to say. indisposed today vidame.'
She Will not see nie?" he asked, eye
ing me very unpleasantly.
Her indisposition deprives her of the
pleasure" / answered, with AN effort
He was certainly wonderful man, for
at sight of him threefourths of my
courage. and all my Importance, oozed
out at the heels of my boots
she will not see me. Very WELL" he
replied, as If l had not spoken. And
the simple words sounded like a sem
tence of death. Then. M. Ammo, l
have crow to pick with you. WHAT
compensation do you propose to make
for the death of my servant? \ decent.
quiet fellow, whom you killed yester-
l.,N ma
for the true faith carried him away a
| little."
dagger on NJ. st. Croix de Caylus at the
vicomte's gate" I answered, steadily
l had thought about this. Of course
and was ready for 1t. You are aware
NJ. de Beers, l continued. that the
vicomte has jurisdiction extending to
life and death over all persons within
the valley?"
"My household excepted" he re-
Joined, quietly.
Precisely; While they are within the
curtilage of your house." l retorted.
"However, as the punishment was sum
mary, and the man had no time to con-
fess himself, 1 am willing to-
.'Well?'
4 ITO pay Father Pierre to say ten
masses for his soul.
prised me. He broke into boisterous
4 laughter. by our lady. my friend,
he cried, with rough merriment, but
you are q joker! You are, indeed
Masses? Why, the man was Protes-
tamil"
And that startled me more than any
thing which had gone before; more, in
to prove that this man, laughing his
unholy laugh, was not like other men
He did not pick and choose his ser
wants for their religion. He was sure
!, that the Huguenot would stone his fel
low at his bidding; the Catholic cry
"Vive Coligny!" l was SO completed,
taken aback that found no words t.
+ said, smartly: "fhen how about hi.
:, enthusiasm for the true faith M. Ii
Vidame?"
t The true faith he answered-"fo
! my servants is my faith" Then ;
thought seemed to strike him. "Wha
l Is more,'' he continued, slowly, that !
) is the true and only faith for all, thou
= sands will learn before the world is tel
4 days older. Bear my words in mind
1 boy! They will come back to you AM
now hear me-" he went on in his usua
l tone, II am anxious to accommodate
: neighbor. 1t goes without saying tina
: l would not think Of putting you, M
q Anne, to any trouble for the sake o
( that rascal of mine. But my peopl
: will expect something. Let the plagu
t fellow who caused all this disturbanc
e be given up to me, that l may han
|. him, and let us cry quits"
t coolly / had no need to ask what h
d meant. Give up Pavannes' messenger
|, indeed! Never"
I He regarded me-unmoved by my re
fusal-with smile under which
|, chafed, while 1 was impotent to resen
8 1t. do not build too much on singl
n blow, young gentleman he said, shak
d ing his head. waggishly. II had fougl
O dozen times when i was your ag'
However, understand that you refus
to give me satisfaction"
"In the mode you mention. certainly,
q replied "But-
;, "Bah!" he exclaimed. with snee
:, . business first and pleasure aftel
I wards. Beers will obtain satisfactio
!. in his own way. / promise you thai
= And at his own time. And 1t will II,
!. But what Is this for?" And he rudel
!. kicked the culverin, which apparent
= he had not noticed before. 80! 81
:, ~ understand" he continued. casting
- sharp glance at one and another OF u
# You looked to be besieged Why, yc
"a BOBBY, there Is the shoot OF your kitci
7 en- hidden. twenty feet above the ROT
of old Fretis store. And open. ! wi
i be sworn DO you think that ! shou
~ have come this way while there WI
,e n ladder In Caylus? Did you take Il
: wolf for a sheep?'
II With that he turned on his het
1t staggering away In the fun enjoymel
Of his triumph. For triumph 1t wa
ID We stood stunned; ashamed to 10,
~ one another In the face OF cOurge n