St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-03-05
cHEVALTER DE TROIS.
Copyrighted 1901 by F. K. scribner.


son. when Louis, who had approached
rnobserved, confronted me.
IN. de Mare" said he, "you are
brave man."
"Sire," replied 1, knowing twas the
rrplude to one of those missions with
which his majesty was pleased to hon.
or me, "being Of the musketeers it fol-
lows"
"And have proved yourself of much
discretion" continued the king, "there-
fore" then sinking his voice to whis-
ner, 'the Chevalier de Trois is known
to you"
/ had myself conducted the chevalier
to the Bastille not three months be-
fore.
1.-THE prisoner of the Bastille? Ger
tainly, sire, for twas by your COM
mand T.
Louis looked upon the ground.
"Faith," murmured he. 81 had forgot
ten. Perhaps he hath escaped orr
From the Bastile" cried |. at were
impossible!"
The king bit his lips. "And for what
was he imprisoned, the Chevalier de
Trois?' asked he abruptly.
Now, it was not my business to in
duire concerning the crimes of prison
ers of state.
Gle is gentleman of much promise"
continued the king, breaking in upon
my reply. otis i'll fitting that so
brave a cavalier rot in the dungeons of
the Bastille. What think you, NJ. de
Marc"
"'Tis indeed beyond comprehen-
sion," replied l, somewhat troubled at
the royal mood. "a word from your
majesty, which l will gladly carry to
the governor, will"-
The king smiled sourly, "And the
good Cardinal Mazarin?" he asked.
Think you, sir, my minister would IA
vor the freeing of the Cheyalier de
Trois?"
1t was, then, Mazarin and not the
king who had brought about the i'm
prisonment of the unfortunate De
TrOis
IF the Chevalier de Trois has of
Tended the minister" said l, "me-
thinks. sire, he will remain in the Bas-
tile. IT'S no light thing to-
A flush of anger overspread the
kings cOuntenance. Faith" cried he,
IAN l ever to be thrust behind a cur
tain by this thieving prelate? Is he
then king of France and l a puppet
that his whims must stand? NJ. de
Trois must be freed"
The meaning of his words came to
me- 1t was his pleasure the chevalier
be set at liberty; but, though king Of
France, he shrank from Drawing the
displeasure Of his powerful minister.
If NJ. de Trois regained his liberty, it
must be secretly and apparently
against the wishes of the king.
Sire" replied l, none can per-
chance escape from the Bastille, but
Fortress Dauphine"-
His majesty raised his brows inquir-
ingly. "And what of the Fortress Dau-
phine NJ. de Marc" asked he.
IAN order commanding me to con-
duct the Chevalier de Trois from the
Bastille, sire. At Dauphine, less strong
ly guarded, perchance"-
The king caught at my meaning.
"Come," said he. casting upon me a
look of gratitude, within the hour tits
my pleasure the Chevalier de Trois be
taken from Paris and imprisoned in
the Fortress Dauphine. l will direct
my secretary to prepare the order"
The Fortress Dauphne was situated
some leagues from Paris The garrison
consisted Of some 100 men commanded
by four officers and a governor whose
liking for the wine cup was well
known to the occupants of the fortress.
1t was to this prison that l conducted
the Chevalier de Trois on the after
noon Of that day in which his majesty
had spoken to me in the garden.
Upon my delivering the order to the
prisoner in bis chamber in the Bastille
he had turned pale as chalk, thinking
it nothing else than a prelude to his
speedy execution, for famous heads
man dweIt in the vicinity Of Dauphine.
Once upon the road however, having
commanded my two musketeers to fall
back that l might ride by De Trois'
side, made haste to end his torment.
He listened to me as one daZed by an
unexpected blow.
Come" said 1, having laid the mat
ter before him, "it now remains with
yourself to gain your freedom. can
out open in part the way to you"
Then it is the kings wish that es-
cape| asked he.
las to that" replied l, "'tis not my
business nor thine, NJ. de Trois, to seek
TO know the wishes of his majesty.
Suffice it that / offer to you a way
whereby you may gain your liberty.
II you fear the danger Of
He smiled bitterly. 81 could scarce
stop at that" said he, "having already
committed my soul to God"
But" continued l, "you will readily
perceive great danger lies in the under
taking. The Fortress Dauphine is gar
rlsoned by fvescore men. Were any to
oppose
Five thousand would scarce turn