Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-06-25
vanced for his toll, but the newcomer
shrank back from him and kept him

have not seen you before! Wher
have you dropped from3 One kisi
and Perducas de Ponthieu will die 70
you"
He made a motion Of his arm towar
her; but, recovering herself, she slippe
nimbly aside, saying, with laugh:
"Bavard, l may ask you to die 70
me some day without hope Of reward.
And in a moment she had flashe
through the open gate and was gone
But / knew-the voice was enough 70
me-and, looking at Lorgnac, saw hi
eyes blazing, and even through tn
dusk could see the ivory pallor on hi
face.
"My Godr 1 exclaimed. "Are "
mad?"
But Lorgnac caught me by the arm
"Fool! There is no time to waste. B,
heaven, prince of the blood though b
be, II he has lied to me he dies! Say
ing this, he fairly dragged me from tn
balcony. 1 staid him for a momen
to snatch up my rapier and ding asid
my wooden sword, and then we tw'
hurried down the winding stair, pas
the servants quarters and out into tn
yard.
The archer saluted US as we cam
up.
(Which way did-did mademoisell'
go?' asked Lorgnac, his voice strang'
and husky.
81 know not, monsieur-she vanished
like spirit"
"Try your house." suggested, pluck
ing him by the sleeve. Lose no time
here" And as I uttered these words
saw Pompon beside me and drove hin
back with curse. But for once thu
ape disobeyed, and there was no hell
for it; l had to let him follow as best
could.
We dashed up the narrow Rue st
Thomas = fortunately there were moi
many people about-and just where the
street opened out into the Rue st. HO
more we caught a glimpse of the grace
full figure hesitating at crossing. She
had lifted her dress slightly, and
though to complete her disguise she
was wearing the fat soled Spanish
mules not all their hideOusness could
conceal the perfect arch of her foot
For a moment she hesitated, as have
said, giving us time to gain well upon
her, and then, drawing her hood closer
fannfhnr hn tho rNQh and
headed toward the labyrinth Of streets
around the Halles.
"Put not your trust In princes"
said bitterly, but Lorgnac made no an
swer, maintaining a grim silence.
We kept on the pavement opposite to
her, never losing sight of her for an
instant, although the streets were
crowded here, and the uncertain light
made our task far from easy, but we
had too much at stake to fail.
When she reached the parvis Of St.
Eustache, she crossed 1t slowly toward
the portal of the still unfinished church,
though the first stone had been laid at
the time when was born. AS she ap-
preached the archway a man stepped
forward from the shadow, and they
met with outstretched hands. So they
stood for a moment, talking earnestly
together, and we halted, too, and
watched them with beating hearts.
"It is he," whispered. HE has
broken his word"
But still Lorgnac did not speak,
though could hear his labored breath.
And as we watched man came over
the tagged square, walking idly and
carelessly toward them, humming as
he did SO the song called the "Three
Cavaliers"
"D'Aramonv' exclaimed Lorgnac. ut
is all over now unless we can shut his
mouth"
On his words, however, the two
moved of arm In arm swiftly together
and were lost in the unceasing crowd
that was pouring from the Halles. I
was for rushing after them at once,
but Lorgnac held me by the arm.
"Stay! he said. "You must deal
with D'Aramon. Stop him at all haz
ards. I look after the others. Meet
me at my house." And with these
words he left me abruptly, crossing the
pavement rapidly and mixing with the
crowd.
waited not a moment myself. l
did not even answer Lorgnac, but
pressed forward on the track Of the
spy and overlook D'Aramon in the Rue
Montorgueil. He was walking slow
ly, looking carefully about him, as If
he had missed his prey, and was head.
ing toward the Tiquetonne-the next
turning to the right would bring him
to the Tire Boudin. But, as said, he
hesitated and, standing on tiptoes,
kept trying to look over the heads of
the crowd.
l walked past him rapidly, brushing
against him as did so, and turned
with an apology that broke into an ex'
clamation of surprised recognition.
"Your pardon, monsieur! Helm! Can
I believe my eyes? Is 1t you, D'Ara'
monY
"Yes-yes," he stammered uneasily.
II have business, NJ. LIE Brusquet. An
other day" And he would have has
tened on, but l stood in his path, say
ing insolently:
"At the Cabarets? Well, 30 have L.
Come and drink and tell me how the
air Of Paris has become healthy fol
you once more"
He grew red at my words; but, to do
him justice, be kept his temper. though
he said coldly enough:
'Monsieur, 1 have said have bust.
nessp
But laughed and cut in upon his
speech.
"And so have I. Everybody's bust
ness is a TESTERS business. Come and
drink"
He thought I was in my cups and
still preserved his coolness.
"Not now. Au revoir. au revoir"
And he pressed on. But I stuck like q
fly to him, buzzing in his ear.
"Tell me-" said loudly-"you appear
to be on your feet again. Does the
Spanish ambassador pay well?'
He stopped short. with a curse. and
turned on me, shaking with anger.
''Beg0ne, foolv' he shouted, his hand
on the hilt of his poniard. But slip
ped back nimbly, my drawn rapier
pointed at him, and In a moment q