The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-06-26
CHAPTER w.

HOW POMPoN SAVED a QUEEN.
There are times when thought and
action have to move together like
lightning, when, If there is but a
flicker Of halt or hesitation, the result
is disaster, and If ever such moment
had come to me 1t had arrived now
l thank God that, notwithstanding
the tumult In my heart, kept my head
clear and my nerve steady In the
crisis before me. 1t is true l held u
great card. No one suspected me, cx-
cept, perhaps, D'Aramon, and he was
quieted. Not the most suspicious eye
would turn OH lie Brusquet, the kings
Jester, rs being In any way involved
In court intrigue, and l was safe
from hindrance on that score. Even
Crequy, and he was no fool. had let
me pass with Jest
could not help chuckling a little to
myself ut this, as. picking Pompon up,
/ crossed the road to the opposite side,
where the shadows lay dark ON the
pavement One look behind me-the
archers were still at Lorgnac's door
and then | put myself to the run. a
few steps brought me to narrow side
street that went Off ut an angle from
the road, heading back to the cross
roads where Barou's shop lay, close to
Lorgnac's house. Immediately behind
the shop was Cartouche's stable, and
from the stable there was a chance, n
bare chance, to free my birds. knew
the way perfectly, for l had used 1t as
a short cut hundred times on nv
Visits TO Lorgnac when he lay Ill In
the spring of tertian ague. 1t was
necessary to be careful, however, how
one stepped In this namclcss alley, for
the slime OF ages covered the cobble-
stones beneath the feet. and there was
no footpath Indeed, SO narrow was
the passage that by stretching ones
arms out 1t was possible to touch tho
houses on either hand.
I made all the haste could md nj
last reached Barou's s!n.,,. Barou him
self was closing for the night rs came
up, and l caught glimpse Of his lean
ngure hcsitating at tho door In tho
nope perhaps that / might prove a Gus.
TONER l passed quickly on, taking no
notice OF him. He peered after me for
moment. and then his door shut with
bang, and the old man went I'm like n
spider disappointed OF his fly.
Two steps more, and | was Mt tho
STABLE If Lorgnac's ready wit had not
thought or the key, all would have been
lost; but, as 1t was, the key was IN my
hand. In another moment had open-
Ell the door and stepped I'm, shutting It
carefully behind me. A lantern, swing
ing to n chain attached to n crossbcam.
was burning brightly In the stable. and
III inc stall before me was magnin
cent gray horse with lofty crest and
2flght, full eyes that looked dowa upon
me like two stars. 1t was Cartoucbe
ana no was alrendy saddied, though the
girths hung loosely around him. ue
knew me- for we were old friends. md
tossing his head up and down, began to
strike Mt the flooring with his fore foot
and whinny. I patted his sleek neck
and looked around. Near mo was somo
stable gear. To the right there was n
loft and above that small window.
which was open, for tho night was
warm. ladder led to the loft, and nm
this climbed, Pompon at my heels,
and, passing through the window.
round myself on tho roof Of Barou's
store. On either hand the gables. with |
their lily shaped finals. hid me from
view, and was, in short, on tho back
bone Of the roof. About 20 feet from
no rose the back OF Lorgnac's house.
ligh and narrow. From o window in
no second story there was Q bright