Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-01-27
y MAURICE THOMPSON

: y MAURICE THOMPSON
oaUyz1gAk 1oon by The -
BoWH.MUaux CONAN
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
lcoNI1NuED.1
His gun had fallen with a great clat-
ter. He took it from the floor and ex-
amined it to see If it had been injured,
then set it in corner.
Il am afraid we have been making
too much noise," said Alice. speaking
very low. There Is patrol guard ev-
cry night now. II they should hear
you
"Sh!' whispered NJ. Roussillon. 1--WE
will be very still. Alice. is there some
thing to eat and a drop of wine handy?
l have come many miles. I am tired.
hungry, thirsty-ziff!'
Alice brought some cold roast veni-
son, a loaf and bottle Of claret. These
she set before him on little table.
''Ah, this is comfort he said after
he had gulped full cup. Have you
all been well?''
Then he began to tell where he had
been, what he had seen and the many
things he had done. A Frenchman must
babble while he eats and drinks. A lit
tie wine makes him eloquent. He talks
with his hands, shoulders, eyes. Nine
Roussillon, Alice and Jean, wrapped in
furs, huddled around him to hear. He
was very entertaining. and they forgot
the patrol until a noise startled them
1t was the low of cow. They laughed
and the master Of the house softeped
his voice.
NJ. Roussillon had been the guest of q
great Indian chieftain who was called
the Gate of the Wabash because he
controlled the river. The chief was an
old acquaintance and treated him well.
"But l wanted to see you ALL Cas-
pard said. II was afraid something
| might have happened to you, so came
| back just to peep In. can't stay, Of
course. Hamilton would kill me as If /
were wolf. can remain but an hour
and then slip out Of town again before
! daylight comes. The rain and darkness
are my friends"
He had seen Simon Kenton, who said
he had been in the neighborhood Of
V1ncenneS acting as a scout and spy
for Clark. Presently and quite casual
~ he added:
"And saw Lieutenant Beverley too.
suppose you know that he has es-
capped from Hamilton, and Here q
big mouthful of venison interfered.
Alice leaned toward him white and
breathless, her heart standing still.
Then the door, which had been left
unbarred, was flung open, and along
with great rush Of wind and rain the
patrol guard. five In number. sprang in.
NJ. Roussillon reached his gun with
one hand, with the other swung a ire
mendous blow as he leaped against the
ntruders. Nine. Roussillon blew out
the light. No cave In the depth of
! earth was ever darker than that room.
The patrolmen could not see one an
ither or know what to do, but NJ. Rous-
sillon laid about him with the strength
Of giant. His blows sounded as II,
they smashed bones. Men fell heavily
humping on the floor where he rushed
along. Some one fired a pistol, and by
Its fash they all saw him, but instantly
the darkness closed again. and before
they could get their bearings he was
out and gone, his great hulking form
making its way easily over familiar
ground where his would be captors
could have proceeded but slowly even
with light to guide them.
There was furious cursing among
the patrolmen as they tumbled about
in the room, the unhurt ones trampIing
their PROSTATE companions and strik-
ing wildly at each other in their blind
ness and confusion. At last one Of them
beth0ught him TO open dark lantern
with which the night guards were fur
nished. Its fame was duttering and
gave forth pale red light that danced
weirdly on the floors and walls.
Alice had snatched down one of her
rapiers when the guards first entered.
They DOW saw her facing them with
her slender blade leveled, her back to
the wall, Der eyes shining dangerously.
Nine. Houssillon had fed into the ad-
joining room. Jean had also disap-
peared. The officer, a, subaltern In
charge Of the guard, seeing Alice and
not quickly able to make out that it
was q woman thus defying him, cross
ed swords with her. There was small
space for. action, Moreover, the officer.
being not in the least a swordsman,
played awkwardly, and quick as. a
flash his point was down. The rapier
entered just below his throat with
dull, chucking stab. He leaped back
ward, feeling at the same time q pair
Of arms clasp hts legs. It was Jean.
and sthe lieutenant, thus unexpectedly
tangled, fell to the floor, breaking, but
not extingl ishing, the guards lantern
40 he went down. The little remaining,
OIL spread and famed up brilliantly, "a
Il eager for conf ation. suffering
along the uneven boards. sss.ss Ss:$ u
XIII that 1mpll''' cried tho lieutenant
M suanSiing yoise WILLS trying Is rs =.