The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-08-22

why? Why?' she asked, with evil
dent surprise. ~ on have restored
and nearly frightened me to death in
doing this wife to her home; what
more do you want with him, most val
liant knight-errand?"
Il must see him. I said, firmly. l
would have told her all and been
thankful, but the priest was within
hearing-or barely out of it; and l had
seen too much pass between him and
Beers to be willing to say anything
before him.
You must see M. de Pavannes?" she
repeated, gazing at me.
Il must" 1 replied, with decision.
'"Then you shall. That is exactly
what l am going to help you to do
she exclaimed. He is not here, That
is what is the matter. He went out
1t nightfall seeking news of his wife,
and crossed the river, the coadjutor
says to the Faubourg st. German.
Now it is of the utmost Importance
that he should return before morning
return here"
But is he not here?" I said, finding
all my calculations at fault. You are
sure of it, madame?"
quite sure" she answered, rapidly
Your brothers will have by this time
discovered the fact. Now, NJ. de Cay
luS, PaVanneS must be brought here
before morning, not only for his wifes
sake-though she will be Wild with
anXiety-but also
Il know" 1 said, eagerly, interrupt
ing her. for his own, too! There is a
danger threatening him"
She turned swiftly, as if startled. and
l turned, and we looked a the priest
l thought we understood one another
There is she answered, softly, land
| would save him from that danger;
but he Will only be safe, as l happen to
know, here! Here, you understand! He
must be brought here before daybreak
M. de Caylus. He must He must!"
she exclaimed, her beautiful features
hardening with the earnestness of her
feelings. And the coadjutor cannot
go. [ cannot so. There is only one man
who can save him, and that is yourself
There is, above all, not a moment to be
| lost
My thoughts We're in a whirl. Even
| as she spoke she began to walk back
| the way we had come, her hand on my
arm; and l, doubtful and in a confused
| way unwilling, went with her. 1 did
| not clearly understand the position
would have wished to SO in and confer
with Marie and Croisettc; but the june
| ture had occurred so quickly, and it
| might be that time was as valuable as
she said and-weli, it was hard for
| me, a lad. to refuse her anything when
| she looked at me with appeal in her
eyes. l did manage to stammer: But
| l. DO not know Paris. l could not find
my way, l am afraid, and it is night
| madame"
She released my arm and stopped
| Night she cried, with a sCornful
ring in her voice. might! 1 thought
you were man, not a boy! You are
afraid"
Afraid" I said. hotly; 1--WE Caylus'
are never afraid
'Then 1 can tell you the way, if that
be your only difficulty. We turn here
| Now, come in with me a moment" she
continued, land l will give you some
thing you will need-and your direc-
| TONS"
! She had stopped at the door of tall,
narrow house, standing between larger
ones in street which appeared to me
| to be more airy and important than
| any | had yet seen. AS she spoke she
rang the bell once, twice, thrice. The
silvery tinkle had scarcely died away
the third time before the door opened
| silently; saw no one, but she drew me
| into a narraw hall or passage. A taper
in an embossed holder was burning on
a chest. She took it up, and, telling me
to follow her, led the way lightly up
the stairs, and into a ROOM half par
lor, half bedroom-such a room as 1
had never seen before. 1t was richly
hung from ceiling to floor with blue
silk, and lighted by the soft rays Of
| lamps shaded by Venetian globes of
delicate hues. The scent Of cedarwood
was in the air, and on the hearth in a
velvet tray We're some tiny puppies. A
dainty disorder reigned everywhere. On
one table a jewel case stood open, on
another lay some lace garments, two or
three masks and fan. A gemmed rid
ing whip and silver-hilted poniard
| hung on the same peg. And Strang-
est Of all, huddled away behind the
door, l espied a plain, black-sheathed
sword and a mans gauntletS
she dld not wait q moment. but went
at once to the jewel case She took
from it a gold ring--a heavy seal ring.
She held this out to me in the most
atter-of-fact way-scarcely turning,
in fact. Put it on your finger" she
said, hurriedly. IF you are stopped by
soldiers, or if they will not give you
a boat to cross the river, say boldly
that you are in the kings service. Call
for the officer and show that ring Play
the man. Bid him stop you at his
peril!'
| 1 hastily muttered my thanks, and
she as hastily took something from a
drawer, and tore it into strips. Be
fore knew what she was doing she
was on her knees by me- fastening a
white band of linen round my left
sleeve. Then she took my cap, and
Will lne same precipitation liked q
fragment of the same stuff in it, in
the form of rough cross.
There" she said Now, listen, M
de Caylus. There is more afoot to-
night than you know Of. These badges
will help you across to st. German
but the moment you land, tear then
off. Tear them off, remember They
will help you no longer. You will come
back by the same boat, and will moi
need them. If you are seen to veal
them as you return, they will command
no respect, but on the contrary vii
bring you-and perhaps me-into trou.
ble.''
Il understand, I said but
you must ask no questions" she
retorted, waving one snowy finger be-
fore my eyes. MY knight-erran
must have faith in me, as have ir
him; or he would not be here at thi.
time of night, and alone with me. Blu
remember this also. When you NEE
Pavannes do not say you come from
me. Keep that in your mind; will
explain the reason afterwards. Sa,
merely that his wife is found, and i!
wild with anxiety about him If 70,
say anything as to his danger he ma,