Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-01-24

stood the He was tired of
the battling struggle.
''Open the door!" he shouted noisily,
and the cry stirred Villon to a more
vehement assault. He sprang 4 a
cat at the giant, flashed the lantern
dazzlingly in his eyes, and as Thibaut,
furious, made a wild lunge at him, VII
lon dexterously swung his lantern on
to his enemy's sword point and In an
other second had driven his w a
into Thibaut's side.
mot so fast, rat-catcher!" he shout
ed exultantly, n as Thibaut fell with
q heavy crash of rafting armor on the
floor, the door was dashed open and
the armed watch poured In with blaz-
ing torches, filling the room with light
and armored men. Francois, after a
moments glance of triumph at the
fallen giant, sprang Dun n glanced
up at the gallery.
Katherine, standing, leaned over the
balustrade and flung a knot of ribbon
to her champion, who caught 1t as II
Skinned through the air, pressed 1t
to his lips and thrust II into the bosom
OF his jerkin. In another moment
Katherine had disappeared and Villon
found himself roughly held in the
strong grasp of two soldiers, while the
captain Of the watch surveyed the
scene with some establishment, and the
| rogues were overawed by the bills of
the newcomers.
what is this tumult?" the captain
demanded. Villon answered him airilyr
smiling over the crossed pixies that
penned him.
"a fair fight, good captain, conduct
ed according to the honorable laws OF
! sword and lantern"
The captain of the watch turned his
! ,ttnntinp 10 Thihntf Uhn DCGieta1 Inv
one Of the soldiers, had raised himself
upon one elbow and was glazing vim
dictively at Villon.
"Who Is his man?" he asked.
A desire for revenge got the better
of the wounded mans discretion.
Il am Thibaut d'Aussigny," he
gasped. II am the grand constable"
A little shiver of surprise and alarm
ran round the room at the sound OF
that dreaded name. The captain OF
the watch kneeled In s~alutRtion.
"Monseigneur," he said, how did
this happen?"
Thtbaut's senses were running AVA
from him with his running blood, but
mallgnity overcrowed weakness for q
moment. He pointed at Villon. Take
that fellow and hang him on the neal
est lantern" and as he spoke he
swOoned. Promptly the captain turned
towards MS prisoner. rake tnat TEL
low outside and hang him." he com
manded CURLY. Villon glanced wildly
about for a way to escape and saw
none. His friends gave a groan o.
sympathy, but they could do no more
for the soldiers overawed them. HUI.
guette flung her arms about him, sob
bling. The grasp of his captors tight
ened and Villon shivered at the clasp
Suddenly the little insignificant bur
CESS at the table rose and advanced
towards the soldier.
stop, SIR" he said i~mperatlvely
THAT young gentleman is my affair.
The soldier turned angrily upon the
interfering citizen.
"Who are you" he growled, "whC
dare to interfere with the kings JUS
tice?"
The citizen pulled his heavy cal
from his head and revealed thu
wrinkled, eager visage that was so wei
known and so we. feared.
II am the kings justice" he saiC
simply, while Tristan behind hin
cried God save the king!" and The
astonished soldier bent the knee il
homage. Villon, staring, dumfounded
caught the humor OF the situation anC
could not hold his tongue.
THE king! Good Lord" he said
and punctuated his comment with {
prolonged whistle.