Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-07-20

The attack on Coligny had, IL true, its
bearing on u W business. For IL a
Hugutnot so great and famous and en-
Joylng the kings special favor still
went In Paris in danger of his life,
what must be the risk that such an one
as Pavannes ran? We had hoped to
lind the city quiet. II instead il should
be In a state of turmoil Beers chances
were SO much the better: and ours
and Kits, poor Kit's-so much the
worse.
Our companion had by his time in-
ished his supper. But he still sat at
table. and sesmed to be regarding us
with some curiosity. At length he
spoke. Are you going to Paris, young
gentlemen" he asked, his tone harsh
and high-pitched.
We answered In the affirmative. "To-
morrow he questioned.
yes we answered; and expected
MIN to continue the conversation. But
instead he became silent, gazing alb
stractedly at the table; and what with
our meal n our own talk, we had al
most forgotten him again, when, look
ing up, l found him at my elbow, hold
lag out In silence a small piece OF pa
per.
I started-his face was SO grave.
But, seeing that there were half a doz-
en- guests of a meaner sort at another
table close by, I guessed that he merely
wished to make a private communica-
ton TO US, and fastened to AXE the
paper and read Il. II contained a
scrawl Of four words only.
IVA chaser FIDDLE"
No more. / looked at him. puzzled:
able to make nothing out of IL. ST.
Croix wrinkled his brow over II with
the same result. 1t was no good hand
Ing 1t to Marie, however.
You do not understand? ?" the stran-
ger continued, as he put the scrap of
paper back In his pouch.
NO. l answered, shaking my head.
We had all risen out of respect to him,
and were standing In a little group
about him.
Just so; 1t is all right, then" he an
swered, looking at us as 1t seemed to
me with grave good nature. "It is
nothing. Go your way. Butt have a
son yonder not much younger than you,
gentleman. And IL you had un-
derstood I should have said to you:
DO not go! There are enough sheep
for h shearer!"
He was turning away with this orac-
ular saying when Croisette touched his
sleeve. Pray can you tell us IL II be
true" the lad said, eagerly, that Ad-
mirai de Coligny was wounded yester-
day."
1T is true" the other answered,
turning his grave eyes on his question
er, while for a moment his stern look
failed him.. 1T Is true, my boy" he
added. with an air Of strange solem-
nifty. Whom the Lord loveth, lie
c~hasteneth. And. God forgive me for
saying II, whom he would destroy, he
first maketh mad"
He had gazed with peculiar favor at
Croisette's girlish face, l thought; Ma
RE and l were dark and ugly by the
side of the boy. But he turned from
him now with a queer, excited gesture.
his old-headed cane on the
floor. He called his servants In a loud,
voice, and left the room IN
anger, driving them before
him, the n carrying his dag. and the
other two candles.
When l came down early next morn
Ing, the first person l met was BlaisA
Bure. He looked rather flercer anu
more shabby by daylight han candle
light. But he saluted me respectfully;
and this, since IT was clear that he did
respect many people, inclined me 10
regard him with favor. 1t is always so,
the more savage the dog, the more
we prize its attentions. I
n Illl WIN Tic mug cIlOl hODit
vas who had supped with us. For q
Huguenot we knew he must be.
Baron de Rosny," he answered;
with a sneer: HE is a careful
man! If they were all like him, with
eyes on both sides OF his head and n
dag by his candle-well, my lord, there
be one more king in France--or
one less! But they are a blind lot; as
blind as bats He muttered some
thing farther in which l caught the
word tonight" But 1 did not hear
It all; OF understand any Of 1t.
Your lordships are going to Paris?"
he resumed in a different tone. When
[ said that we were, he looked at me in
a shameful way, half timid, half ar
II have a small favor to ask
Of then" he said. II am going to
Paris myself. / am not afraid of odds,
as you have seen. But the roads will
be in a queer state If there be anything
on foot In the city, and-well, l would
ride with you gentlemen thai
You are welcome to join u.s." / said.
But we start In half an hour. Do you
Paris well?"
LAS we'll as my sword hilt," he re-
Piled briskly, relieved l thought by my
lcquiescence. And 1 have known hat
from my breeding. If O wan a
at paume, or a pretty girl to kiss,
a put you in the way for the one or
the other"
The half-rustic shrinking from the
city which l felt suggested to
that our swash-buskling friend
might help us If he would. do you
M. de Pavannes?" / asked, i'm
oulsively. Where he lives in Paris, l
nean?"
m. Louis de P~avannes?" quoth he.
Yes
Il know" he replied slowly. rub
his chin and looking at the
in thought, where he had his
odgings In town awhile ago, before
All! I do know! / remember" he add
ID. Shaping his thigh, when 1 was In
Paris a fortnight ago 1 was told that
IFS steward had taken lodgings for
lim in the Rue st. Antoine"
"Good!" answered, o~verjoyed.
Then we want to dismount there, IL
you a guide us straight to the
Il can," he replied simply. And you
Will not be the worse for my
Paris is a queer place when there is
rouble to the fore, but your lordships
got the right man to pilot you
through It,"
: did not ask him what trouble he
meant, but ran indoors to buckle on
sword, and tell Marie and Croisette
If the ally 1 had secured. They were
pleased, as was natural; SO that
We took the road In excellent spirits
Intending to reach the city in the after
But Marie's horse cast a shoe
1t was some time before we could
ind a smith. Then at Etampes. where
We stopped to lunch, we were kept an
-a1zz-zAl tipao waiting for n
SO we approached Paris for the
lrst time at sunset. A ruddy glow was
It the moment warming the eastern
and picking gu with flames
he twin towers Of Notra Dame, and
he one tall tower Of st. jacques la
A dozen roofs higher than
heir neighbors shown hotly; and a
treat bank of cloud, which lay north
md south, and looked like a mans
land stretched over the city. changed
rradually from blood-red to violet, and