Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-06-25

D'Aramon. He had backed up against
the wall near street lamp. His cheek
was cut and bleeding, and his dress
torn and soiled. He was trying tC
shout explanations, but he might as
well have shouted to awaken the dead
"Stop thief! Stop thiefw was shrek.
ed and howled around him, and then
some one brought him down with
blow from a stan, and he fell beneath
a struggling heap Of men.
had no pity for the villain. he was
one Of the worst of his class and de.
served death at the lamppost. On the
whole, he got of easily enough, though
he was marked for life, and 1t was
many long day ere the captains"
limbs lost their soreness.
He was disposed of, at any rate. So
leaving him to the tender mercies OF
the crowd and of the watch, who had
hurried up, went rapidly on toward
the Rue Tire Boudin, where Lorgnac's
house stood. 1t was but a short way
from the Tiquetonne, and on reaching
the entrance to the street halted for q
moment, as II to examine the display
in the window Of pastry cooks shop,
although my eyes were fixed anywhere
but on his tartlets and cakes. The
moon was out now, full and clear, and
its light fell like a broad silver ribbon
between the two rows Of dark and 81.
lent houses that raised their gray and
mottled walls on either side of the
street. There were but few passers-
by, but 1t seemed to me that there was
an unwonted crowd near the door Of
the house where Lorgnac lived, which
I could make out vaguely, for 1t lay
about third Of the way down the
street.
I took a step into the road and stop
ped again to get better view, when ]
felt something plucking at my cloak
! looked down. 1t was Pompon, whose
very existence I had forgotten, and he
sat at my feet, gazing wistfully up at
my face, with eyes that told me he
was wearied.
"Come, Pompon," l said, and in mo.
ment he was on my shoulder, where he
eat light as a feather. I gave another
look down the road and at the group
near Lorgnac's house, and I was Ger
tain l caught the gleam Of a cuirass.
This augured Ill, but 1t was no time to
draw back, and, singing CHEEKY catch,
stepped forward and, coming boldly
up to the door of the house, found my
self stopped by Crequy Of the archer
guard.
"Diablew 1 exclaimed. II have come
to see my gossip, Lorgnac. What does
all this mean"
II know no more than you, LIE Brus-
quet. If you want to see Lorgnac, you
will find him on the opposite side OF
the road with two Of my men. But he
is as sulky as a bear"
"What! Have you arrested him"
EYES,"
"Then what are you doing here"
"Obeying orders, my lord Of folly,
and If you will take my advice you will
60 home, for"-and he dropped his
voice-"the king and the cardinal will
be here in a few minutes. We have
Gagged some birds within"
"Ah, we'll, that is their affair. I'll
drop a consoling jest in Lorgnac's ear
and be off. Au revoir."
"Au revOir."
In a few steps was across the road
and beside Lorgnac. He was standing,
looking the. picture of detection, be-
tween two stalwart archers.
"Oh, no, mon ami" l exclaimed as
him. $50 you have engaged
pilots for the chatelet."
The archers laughed at this reference
to them. but LOrgnac seized his chance
and whispered quickly in my ear:
"The horse Is in the stable behind
Rarou's shop. There is a chance by
the window" And he slipped a key
into my hand.
"Never fear" answered loudly.
''You shall be free tonight. I shall see
my gossip Henri, and we shall finish
that D'ArbOis of mine before tOmor-
row morning. Adieu, then, until we
meet again"
And, waving my hand to Crequy,
turned back and walked of ut rapid
pace, Pompon once more following at
my heels.