The Yale expositor., 1902-05-02
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You have decided. then, against
me-" asked the count. between his
teeth. his eyes blazing as when lac
faced the lion upon African deserts.
&C. cannot resist overwhelming force
a. circumstances. and his claim comes
..tst." steadily replied the aged father,
handing over the packet
'"Then there IL but one resource left
us. STRONGHOLD. and that Is 20 take
by force from this rascally American
what we are refused peaceably. Draw
and stand by me. comrado." snarled
the count, as no nolsily ratified his
sword from It's steel scabbard and pre-
pared for war
Evidently the big Russian attache
had been half expecting some such APP
peal TO arms. II one might judge from
the celebrity with which he. too. whip
ped out shining blade which he was
privileged 90 carry on account OF his
connection, unworthily enough, with
the legation.
Jones. seeing what lay in the wind.
was not slow TO reach back 10 the
pocket where he carried a seven
shooter. and Merrick followed SUIT
with a swing. proving that II the fra
cas- actually camo to a crisis he would
not DO found wanting.
Eye looked into eye. and the count
saw "A lurking devil In the skyblue or5s
of the Yankee that somehow he did
not fancy-Joncs was one OF those Pc
cullar men who could smile exasperl;-
ingly even when committing hari kari.
So the count, having mentally COM
puted his chances OF surviving an en-
counter. and finding them next 60
nil. decided 10 defer the reckoning
until a moro opportune time. when
he would be able 20 bring more pow
erful factors to bear.
Father Anselmo touched a bell.
Almost Immediately half dozen
strapplng big monks entered The
apartment, proving that this body
guard could not have been far away
az any time.
The count had thrust his sword back
in It's sheath with an angry move
ment. and stood there with his arms
folded looking defiance.
Before we quit these walls. rcyer-
end father. | demand once more that
you place In my hands tho packet you
solemnly promised 10 deliver. II
could prove my position. This | have
done. aud you have II on the homer
OF n name Frenchmen are at present
pleased 10 particularly honUr.'
There was no change In the old
monks demeanor: he had weighed his
chances and decided upon his plan Of
action, nor could threats or cajoler-
, les have any further influence upon
, him.
~ as positively refuse. Count Leon.
and In order that you may have no
doubts as TO what my action in the
premises might he. have here in
, your presence solemnly delivered 20
the accredited agent OF NJ. narragh the
, | packet that was committed 10 my care
when Father Jean passed TO immortal
ity."
, Jones smiled broadly as his hands
. eagerly fondled the little sealed pack
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2 speakable rage.
. "Now. depart from under this roof.
4 ungodly men. and pray you come here
{ no more. But for the honor In which
! all true Frenchmen hold your name
Count Nillebois would be tempted "a
{ complain OF your desperate action "a
% those high in authority. who know
:. how TO punish as well as reward. With
- the passing OF this legacy into tbs
= hands OF this worthy man my interest
In the matter entirely ceases
n and mine only takes renewed
: lease OF life" roarod the bafiied Afri
4 can explorer. as he turned and accom-
a panied the doorkeeper out OF the room
!. Neither OF our friends had any de
y sire 10 iInger within those gloomy
. walls. and lost no time In saying fare
n we'll To tho venerable father who hat
. proved so good n friend in time O
|. need.
y II had ceased raining. but gloon
q hung heavy all around them. n gloon
and fog better suited TO old Londor
than the gay French capital.
!. Perhaps II was an accident. bu
! neither OF them were OF n mind 10 be
Hove so. Rather were our friend
ready TO suspect that the count and hi
Muscovite ally had something to a
= with the cabs d,sappearancc. sine
such men never lose an opportunit.
- to harass on enemy when the oppor
N tunity arises.
Nor d,d their suspicious arise Il
~ vain. without the least warning tn
'' two friends suddenly found themselye
set upon by n squad OF roughs. sue
a as may be recruited az small expena
n from the slums OF any great city.
D. When Jones saw the nature OF Oh
gang thus brought so rudely TO thci
e. attention. he scorned 10 avail hlmsel
IN OF the potent weapon OF his outer Goa
se Tho verm.n were not worth such -
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