The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-06-19
CHAPTER II.
THE EMBAssADoR's WAGER.

AS l walked on, however, my mind
was working like q clock. Lorgnacs
agltatcd manner, his strange words at
our parting, the presence of Conde In
Paris. the fact Of his being spied upon
by the Spanish embassy and by such
an agent as D'Aramon. all these point
ed to some mystery. My curiosity was
excited to the highest pitch. At that
| time no man In Paris was as eager as
! l to poke his nose into matters that did
not concern him. And now that l am
| speaking of myself l might as we'll de-
scribe myself as | was then. l was
tall and slightly built but strong and
active as n cut. My features were
sharp and pointed, SO that at college
got the unenviable nickname OF the
Hatchct. The mention Of this always
led to trouble, sometimes for me, some
times for my tormentors. But tho
name had dropped into oblivion since |
had come to mans estate, although my
sharp features remained.
In the meantime there was this mys-
terry to be solved, and l was determln
cd to get at the bottom Of the well. 1t
was clear that 1t was political mat
ter. and them looked around me and
| saw that | was near q most inviting
looking seat, where the branches of a
fallen tree spread out like an easy
chair My companion, whose perccp-
ton In matters Of this nature was even
kecncr than mine, was already there,
and, following Pompon's example.
settled myself down to uDravel the
skens of the puzzle.
I had not been there above half an
hour. during which l made but little
progress, when l heard my name call
ed out and saw I-orgnoc walking to-
ward mo with hasty steps,
"Well," he said as he came up to me-
shave you seen any oner
I did not exactly like to give away
."J nuts Tor nothing, but swear tlaa
hhd known how matters stood !
would not have played with him as
ald but have spoken out at once. Al
1t was, l answered:
Cabbage for cabbage, LOrgnac. Tel
me your secret and I'll tell you mine"
MY secret Is not my own," he an
+, l suppose, Is mine, and l an
ga" ing old and WISE You rcmcmbc,
the proverb-a close mouth catches nc
| flies"
|
mere lie BrusQuet, If you have seer
any one let me know who 1t is! IF the
prince has been spicd upon and seen
there VIII be u frightful disaster un
less we can prevent It; not only disas.
ter for him, but for lie stoned
hesitating, and lifted my hand.
do not give away your secret. Sii
down and let us talk, and I'll tell you
what have seem"
lie took a seat beside me, and went
| on.
You see, I am going to tell YOU iu
my own way. But first l must ask
You question"
And that Isl"
why are you, n cadet Of the rcgl
mcnt Of Aunis. not with the army?"
lie Dlushed little and stammcred:
The peace Of Nnucelles still stands"
And yet we are fortlfying Marlcn.
bourg and Rocroy, and the admiral li
ieyylng forces openly in Picardyp'
What has this to do with the matter
In hand?'
wait and see. Will not be long
How IN coming to my point"
Ihcn come to 1t! tell you every
moment is Of import"
hhstcn slowly, Lorgnac! l have told
ySu what we are doing. And now for
tno othcrs. If there Is war, we will
nave Spain and England against us, for
mary OF England will side with her
husband"
"Xes-yes"
| wen, mon ami! You are aware that
| nhRland Is open to attack from Scot
'ahu. fou are aware, too, that the Car
uihai Beaton and large embassy are
coming TO france. You can see that nm
ahiahcc between France and Scotland
say IL the danphin were to wed the
young queen Of Scots-would make us
strong"
fes.' His voice was very grave.
My thoughts had run far beyond nv
speech by this, and began to trcmblc
Mt the end to which they were leading
me. !, who had begun this talk I'm nm
idle spirit Of mischief, was now being
prickcd by my own pins.
For moment remained silent. and
Lorgnac's hand closed upon my arm
like a wise.
Go onp' he said. his voice husky. He
seemed to be moved powerfuliv bv
some Inward feeling.
spain to prevent such marriage.
would 1t notT
lie said nothing, but kept staring at
me, and I went on:
And now, I.orgnac"-my own words
came slowly and painfully-"s "suppose
that the Spaniard could show there was
truth In story that was whispered /
here and there some weeks ngo. there
would be scandal, and that marriage
could not be-"
What do you meanW His hand drop.
pea from my arm as lie spoke. He pre-.
tended not t" understand. though ne
knew well enough. He rose from his
seat and faced me. and rose, too. and
bent toward him.
you know what mean, Blaise do
Lorgnac. If 1t could be shown that
Conde hurried back from Marienbourp
and had secret meeting, say under
my old oak tree. with the queen of
Scots
You spy" he said. "You have
watched"
l could have struck him, but held
myself In, for he was my friend and
Tor the moment was mao,
orsz