Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-06-19
CHAPTER ".
now roMpoN SAVED A QUEEN,

CHAPTER Nv.
HOW PoMPoN SAVED A QUEEN.
There are times when thought and
action have to move together like
lightning, when, If there is but a
flicker of halt or hesitation, the result
is disaster, and II ever such q moment
had come to me it had arrived now.
thank God that, Notwithstanding
the tumult in my heart. kept my head
clear and my nerve steady In the
crisis before me. 1t is true l held a
great card. No one suspected me, ex-
cept, perhaps, D'Aramon, and he was
quieted. Not the most suspicious eve
would turn on LIE Brusquet, the kings
Jester, US being in any way involved
in n court intrigue, and was safe
from hindrance on that score. Even
Crequy, and he was no fool, had let
me pass with Jest.
could not help chuckling little to
myself at this, us, picking Pompon up.
crossed the road to the opposite side,
where the shadows lay dark on the
pavement. One look behind me-the
archers were still ut Lorgnac's door
and then l put myself to the run. A
few steps brought me to narrow side
street that went Off at an angle from
the road, heading back to the cross
roads where Barou's shop lay, close to
Lorgnac's house. Immediately behind
the shop was Cartouche's stable, and
from the stable there was chance, a
bare chance, to free my birds. knew
the way perfectly, for had used it as
short cut hundred times on my
visits to Lorgnac when he lay Ill in
the spring of tertian ague. It was
necessary to be careful, however, how
one stepped in this nameless alley, for
the slime of ages covered the cobble-
stones beneath the feet, and there was
no footpath. Indeed, so narrow was
the passage that by stretching ones
arms out 1t was possible to touch the
houses on either hand.
made all the haste could and at
last reached Barou's shop. Barou him
self was closing for the night as came
up, and I caught a glimpse Of his lean
figure, hesitating at the door in the
hope perhaps that might prove GUS
toner. passed quickly on, taking no
notice Of him. He peered after me for
moment, and then his door shut with
a bang, and the old man went In like q
spider disappointed of his fly.
Two steps more, and was at the
stable. II Lorgnac's ready wit had not
thought of the key, all would have been
lost; but. rs 1t was, the key was in my
hand. In another moment had open
ed the door and stepped in, shutting 1t
carefully behind me. A lantern, swing
Ing to chain attached to crossbeam,
was burning brightly in the stable, and
in the stall before me was magnif-
cent gray horse with a lofty crest and
bright, full eyes that looked down upon
me like two stars. 1t was Cartouche,
and lie was already saddled, though the
girths hung loosely around him. He
knew mo, for we wore old friends, and,
tossing his head ur and down. began to
strike at the flooring with his fore foot
and whlnny. patted his sleek neck
and looked around. Near me was some
stable gear. To the right there was a
loft and above that small window,
which was open. for the night was
warm. A ladder led to the loft, and up
this climbed. Pompon at my heels,
and, passing through the window,
found myself on the roof of Barou's
store. On either hand the gables, with
their lily shaped finals, hid me from
view. and was, in short on the back
bone of the roof. About 20 feet from
me rose the back OF Lorgnac's house,
high and narrow. From window In
the second story there was a bright
light, and l caught glimpse of a
shadow on the wall. crept up be-
meath the window and looked. 1t was
impossible to reach 1t, ind dare not
raise my voice. Every moment was
precious. and with groan glanced
about for some means Of ascent. and as
l did SO Pompon began to Chamber up
the grooved brick waterway. which ter
minated on narrow ledge Of orna-
mental stonework running round the
house. Above this ledge. however, o
gargoyle In the shape 6f a grifan's head
leered down at me-
A sudden thought struck me, and I
seized the ape ere he could go farther.
Buck ran. with the quick, stealthy
footsteps of cat, nnd dropped down
into the stable once more. Hastily and
with shaking hands, l examined the
stable gear, throwing one thing after
another aside, and Mt last found what
l sought-a spare halter. Oh. those
seconds when fumbled there in the
stable! They were us hours. snatch
ed up the halter with an exclamation
of joy and III less time than I take to
tell this was once more beneath the
window. Here IT was Pompon's turn,
and l thanked my stars again and
again for the months I had spent In
teaching the npe to do almost anything
l wished. knottcd one end of the hal
ter into moose and. giving II to Pom
pom, placed him where he had climbed
to at first and, with little wave of
my hand. said: up, Pompon! Upp
Without moments hesitation be
climbed to the ledge. I watched the
small black figure looking down on me
with little, twinkling eyes, the halter.
held by the moose, in his hands. l
made n motion of my hand toward the
gnrgoyle. but the ape only jibbered,
and the cold sweat burst over me, for
was sure heard In the distance the
sound of many horses trotting. Too
lote. After oil this! 1t could not be!
Again and again tried to make the
ape understand. but he either could
not or would not. In despair at Inst
seized the end of the halter near me
and looped 1t round my own neck. And
imagine my utter disgust-Pompon did
the same and bobbcd up and down on
his hind legs! One might have laughed
IL the issue mt stake was not SO serious.
took the loop Off my neck. Pompon
again followed my example, and then
1t may have been Gods mercy-he sud
denly Understood and slipped 1t over
the gargoyle.
"Thnnk God.' And 1 had frightened
tho moose III a moment. giving the apc
no time to change his mind and remove