Evening star., 1901-12-07

stopped, and. striking the palm of his
hands together laughed a low, cackling
laugh to himself.
Every man his own way of wooing," L
muttered and when he had disappeared
continued my route. The lady had gone
straight on toward the river with the two
men who had Joined her when Chantonnay
left, and my way lay in the same direction.
As | passed the spot where the couple part
ed something white lying on the roadway
caught my eye. 1 picked it up and found
it was delicate lace kerchief l handled
it for moment. In one corner there ap-
peared to be a monogram, or crest, but
it was too dark to see; SO, thrusting it into
my vest pocket pursued my way.
During this l had a little time to re-
fleet. and. considering all things, L was al
most forced TO the conclusion that it was
not quite love affair my don was engaged
in: and then somehow l began to think of
my old friend, Blaise de Lorgnac. His
power of rapid action would have been
much to me now. 1t was he and l together
who had checkmated the Spaniard once be-
fore-but Lorgnac was away at Marien-
bourg with Conde, trying to heal his heart
wounds by getting other wounds his
body, and this would be a solo hand | was
to play.
My apartments We're in the wing of the
palace overlooking the rue st. Thomas du
Louvre. AS 1 approached them, 1 saw that
the door was half open, and that the room
within was in light. Some one within, too,
struck chord on my lute-it was Lorgnac
-Lorgnac come back L knew, and a mo-
ment after We had clasped hands in warm
greeting.
You are well?" I asked, looking into his
eyes.
As ever" he smiled back at me.
Making Lorgnac be seated, l pulled out
some wine and bade him give me the news
of the war.
In the excitement of the moment and
our meeting, had no opportunity to speak
about my adventure of the evening, but
at lost Tl,,-i l.
tOnnay, and L told him the story AS
finished L pulled the kerchief from my vest
pocket and threw it on the table. Here"
| said, lis the toy L picked up-and now to
should tell us who she is
1 stretched out my hand, but Lorgnac was
before me. No! no! This is not your
way or mine. de Besme Why should we
pry into a womans secrets?"
You forget l am La Fouine-the ferret
and the secret is Chantonnays as well as
hers"
He hesitated for moment, and then. in
sisting on his point, Even so! Let it be-
old friend"
LAS you will, Sir Amadis of Gaulm I re-
piled, little petulantly. putting the ker-
chief aside, adding, but / will make my
Spaniard dance tonight at the masque. You
are. of course. coming?'
NO. L leave Paris at dawn for Marien-
bourg."
Where Conde, they say lies ill?'
III, yes-but not with the fever you
think. 1t is another kind of fever 1 was
taken that way once. but that is over
thank God. And. de Besme." Here he
rose from his seat and began to pace the
room, as he continued, Nothing would sat
isfy the prince but that [ should ride to
farls-see her-our queen-and ride back
and tell him L had done so. | was not to
exchange word. On my faith as a gentle
man! l bore no message"
And you have seen her-the Queen of
5cotland?"
nj cha
ladies terrace that We met"
'Alone?'
'No. One of her tirewomen was with
her-and the short of it is that lass and
fool-have promised to bear a letter to the
prince" ~ wv
My blood ran cold.
You 1 burst out. 'Your And then
rose, too. and in bitter lest handed him
my cap and bells.
Take that, My baton, and the ape too
II you VIII! ASS and fool you called your
self. and l agree. Take my office, Yo, are
better fitted for it than l.
BE still!' he said hoarsely. "I could
not say no. She is woman and a queen
And Blaise de Lorgnac seigneur of
the Kings Order, is man of honor"
l put my hand on his shoulder and he
stood giowering at me. / felt his frame
shiver. and then he mumbled as if speak
ing to himself. Il have given my word
This once and no more!" My hand dropped
to my side. And this letter-you have it -
Not yet. L receive ii in an hour and
time presses-au revoir,' He wrllng nv
hand. and was gone.
For moment l listened to his depart-
ing footsteps, and then bolting the door
carefully, came back to my seat Taking
up the kerchief, L put 1t before me and
began to reflect.
"Enfin." L exclaimed. speaking NV
thoughts aloud. why not look at that
kerchief? There are thousand chances
to that 1t belongs to some one Won
never knew or heard Of In which case
there will be no harm done. On the other
hand. if it does belong to some one you
Know, II might give clue to somewhat
mysterious AFFAIR. 1t seems to me that
stited notions of honor have no place
here, and you will be idiot as well as fool
TO miss your chance"
with this | held up the pretty lace thing.
and it fell in light, loose fold ia NV hand