The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-01-23

one OF the anxious spectators. Now III
room would be stepped in the deepest
silence, and now, as the revealed LAM
tern glowed n the naked weapons
met, some woman'S scream or some
mans suppressed oath would fill the
place with a sense Of watching, eager
humanity.
Suddenly, when the tension of
watcher and watched was keenest,
there came a mighty crashing at the
door and a voice shouted loudly a sum
mons to open in the kings name.
Tristan knew we'll enough what the
summons meant. TT is the watch,
SIRE" he whispered to the king.
Thibaut TOO, cropping for his nimble
antagonist and beginning to despair of
crushing the man, heard n under
stood the summons. 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 like q
cat at the giant, flashed the lantern
dazzlingly in his eyes, n as Thibaut,
furious, made a wild lunge at him, VIII
lon d~exterously swung his lantern on
to his enemy's sword point n in an
other second had driven his own blade
into Thibaut's side.
Not SO fast, rat-catcher!" he shout
ed exultantly, and as Thibaut fell with
a heavy crash Of rafting armor on the
floor, the door vas 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 round and glanced
up at the gallery.
Katherine. standing, leaned over the
balustrade and flung a knot of ribbon
to her champion, wFo caught 1T as it
SKINNED through the air, pressed 1t
to his lips and thrust 1t into the bosom
of his ierkin. 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 turnult % the captain
demanded. Villon answered him airily
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
attention to Thibaut, who, assisted by
one Of the soldiers, had raised himself
upon n elbow and was glaring vim
dictively at Villon.
Il H- 'NNS AAe>h 81 AN GAoNSos @ y a
A desire for revenge got the better
Of the wounded mans discretion.
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 salutation.
"Monseigneur," he said, how die
this happen?"
senses were running aWay
from him with his running blood, blu,
malignity overcrowed weakness for {
moment. He pointed at villon. '"Take
that fellow and hang him on'the near.
swooned. Promptly the captain turned
towards his prisoner. Take that fel.
low outside and hang him." he com.
manded CURLY. Villon glanced Wild,
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. tmperatively
That young gentleman is my affair
The soldier turned angrily upon tn,
interfering citizen.
WHO are you," he growled, "wht
dare to interfere with the kings jus.
tice?"
The citizen pulled his heavy ca,
from his head and revealed tn,
wrlnkled, eager visage that was SO wei
known and so well feared.
Il am the kings JUSTICE" he sail
simply, while Tristan behind hin
cried God save the king!" and tn,
astonished soldier bent the knee il
homage. Vilion, staring, dumfounded
caught the humor of the situation ant
could not hold his tongue.
The king! Good Lord!". he said
prolonged whistle.