Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-22

Gerard had arrived and was to be lodged
in rooms adjoining, she found occasion 10
loiter about until she encountered Pascal.
Her pretty face and distracted looks went
straight to his sympathies, and when of her
own motion she spoke to him, he soon for
got all about Gerard's counsel.
You, too, are soldier, monsieur she
said.
when l am not anything else, made
moiselle. But in times like these man
plays many parts
You have been long with NJ. de Cobalt,
no doubt?'
II don't know, mademoisene' was his
unexpected reply, given with an engaging
smile.
| She is going to try and pump me, was
/ Pascafs unspoken warning to himself.
| Don't know, monsieur! How can that
| be-"
II am not my masters diary. for others
| to read he answered with a laugh and a
| shake of the head.
you take great care of your hands,
! monsieur, for a serving soldier man." was
| her comment, unexpected that Pascal
| started and laughed.
You interest me, mademoiselle May /
| ask who you are?''
| Your voice your manner, your tone the
| very bow and air with which you asked
! that question, everything about you be-
| lies the servant, monsieur" continued Luz
cette. Il am Mademoiselle de Malincourt' s
foster sister and friend, Lucette de Boisde-
garde; and l am on my way to tell her of
this discovery of m ne and other things.
You bar my path. monsieur she said
with dignity, as Pascal in some dismay put
himself before her.
IF / detain you a moment it is only to
assure you that Mdile. de Malincourt and
yourself can have more faithful friend
and well-wisher than myself
Your name, MONSIEUR
Pascal de-Pascal Tourelle, at your serv-
ice"
She was quick to see the slip, and pressed
home thrust at once.
"On your honor?'
Pascal, on my honor; Tourelle, during
my service with my MASTER
| She smiled, partly at the evasion, but
more at his manner of making it.
Had you been servant truly your
| honor would not have stayed you from de-
| ceiving me. If l do not go now to mad
, emoiselle will you tell me all you know of
this NJ. de Cobalt?"
Il will tell you this, on my honor and
| your honor will prevent your asking more y
| he answered after a moments considera-
| ton. "A Drawer soldier, more honorable
| knight. more gallant gentleman, never
| trod this earth than he in whose service
you now find me-"
| lieved him. But this very belief only suf-
| feed to perplex her the more after Denys'
| story.
One question more 1 must put Do you
| know II he was ever at Cambrai?
Il can answer that frankly | have known
| MIN many years. and can say that until
| within the last few days, never We passed
through the place in coming here"
Then is the puzzle inscruta ble! ex-
| claimed Lucette. Denys had told her OF
| the murder at Cambria, the pardon for
which was part of the price to be paid to
| de Cobalt, and had spoken of letter which
| he had found that put the thing plainly
| lie had been in the act of telling her where
the paper was concealed, that she might get
| II and carry it to Gabrielle when the re-
lapse had prevented further speech.
| Il know not what to do she cried in
sore perplexity and distress IF I trust
| you others are sadly misled. And yet l be-
| iieve you have not deceived me-"
On my honor, l have spoken no more
than the truth" said Pascal earnestly.
| He was as much puzzled as Lucette herself.
IF you would deal with me frankly, and
say
II cannot; 1 cannot" she broke in ex-
citedly.
Then may I suggest you speak to M. de
Cobalt?
You know not what you say. But the
matter must be probed to the bottom" and,
afraid to say more, she left him and hur-
ried back to Denys' bedside.
Pascal looked after her. nodded once or
twice in answer to his thoughts, and then,
with quizzical smile, muttered as he
turned back to his ROOM
Now is the devil about to claim some of
his dues for this mad business. / must find
Gerard and tell him."