The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-25

of it, that follows as matter of reason
replied Law. - ;,
"Ah, he admits it! He admits it!' cried
yet another. Don't let him escape.
Kill him! Down with Jean L'as!" F.. e.
I'VE are going to kill you precisely
paving stone before his eyes. You are
not fit to live" ~.
LAS to that" said Law, 'I agree with
you perfectly. My hand upon. it; am
not At to live. 1 have found that made
mistakes. l have found out that all this
money is not worth the having. / have
found out so many things, my very dear
friends. that quite agree with you For
If one must want to live before he is fit
to live, then indeed I am not fit. But
what then?"
Kill him! Kill him. Strike him down."
cried out a voice back Of the giant with
the menacing paving> stone.
20, very we'll, my friends" resumed the
object of their fury. Ticking again with
his old. careless gesture at the deep cuff
of his wrist. LAS you like In regard to
that. More than one man has offered
me that happiness in the past, yet 1t was
many long year since. any man could
trouble me by announcing. that he was
about to kill me-"
Something in the attitude of the man
stayed the hands of the most dangerous
members Of the mob. Yet ever there came
the cry from back Of them. "DoWn with
Jean Las. He has RUINED everythinS:
"Friends," responded Law to this cry,
bitterly, ..you little know how true you
speak. 1t was indeed John Law VINO
brought ruin to everything. 1t was IN
deed he who threw away what was worth
more than all the gold in France. 1t is
indeed he who has failed, and failed most
utterly. You cannot brighten John Law,
but you may do as you like win him. 1or
| surelv he has failed.!'
! The bitterness Of despair was in ms
tones. Then, perhaps, the sullen, savage
crowd had wrought their last act or anger
and revenge on him, had 1t not been Tor
a sudden change in that t1de OF Ill tol
time that now seemed to carry him for
ward to his doom. There came SOUND
of far-off cries, distant clack1ng OF hoo1s'
the clatter of steel. many shouts, entrea-
ties and commands. The close acked
crowd which filled the open space IN 1roht
of the hotel writhed. twisted, turned
| and would have sought to resolve itself
into groups and individuals. Some cried
ont that the troops were coming. "A de-
ia chment of the kings household, sent OUT
to dispense these dangerous gatherlhss'
came full front down the street as
had SO often come the arm OF tne
military in this turbulent old CRY
Of Paris. Remorselessly they rode
over and through the mob driving
them, dispensing them. A moment later'
and Law stood almost alone at the steps
of his own house. The squadron Wheeieo'
headed by an officer, who rode upon nun
with sword uplifted as though to cut MN
down. Law raised his hand at 'n's ne"
menace. . e
stop" he cried. Il am the cause OF
this rioting. I am John Law
| "what, Monsieur Las!' cried the lieu
tenant. 80 the people have found you
have they?'
1T would so seem. They nave de-
stroyed my carriage, and they would have
killed me- replied Law. But 1 per-
ceive it is Captain Mirabec. Twas I
who got you your commission, as you
may remember
us it so?" replied the other, with
grin. II have no recollection: Since you
are Jean Las, the late director-general,
! the pity is I did not let the people Kill
you. You are the cause Of the ruin Of
us all. the cause Of my own ruin. Three
days more, and I had been a major-gen
eral. I had nearly the sum in actions
ready to pay over al the right place. By
our Lady Of Grace. I am minded to run
you through myself. for a greater villain
never set foot in France!' "
Monsieur, 1 am about to leave
France" said Law.
"Oh. you would leave us? You would
run away" =
LAS you like. But most Of all, I am
now very weary. would not remain here
longer talking. Henri, where are you?'
The faithful Swiss who had remained
close to his employer all the time, and
who had been not far from his side dur
ing the scenes just concluded was in a
moment at his side. He hardly reached
his master too soon for he passed his
arm about him. the head of Law sank
YEARLY forward. He might, perhaps,
have sunk to the ground had he lacked
a supporting arm.
At this moment there came again the
sound Of hoofs upon the pavement. There
was the rush Of mounted outrider, and
hard after him sped the horses of a car
riage. whose driver pulled up close at
the curb and scarce clear of the little
group gathered there. The door Of the
coach opened and at it appeared the fig
ure of a woman, who quickly descended
from the step.
What IS it?' she cried. "Is not this
the residence of Monsieur Law" The Of