Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-31

which the man kept casting at him, as
/ they walked side by side.
| Come here, where can we have some
wine?" asked he at last.
The soldier soon found a wine shop and
| Pascal piled him freely with liquor, a sec
| ond flash quickly following the first. When
| the second was still half full he rose and
| said:
| We've no time to finish it, l fear. We
| must find NJ Grimaud the leather mer-
| chant, who will vorfch for me at the gate. .
| He coined the name at venture.
It's a pity to leave IT, said the soldier,
cycling the flask wistfully. Il don't get
| such liquor every day.
| Its a good reason for your staying to
| finish it, while l fetch NJ. Grimaud.''
You'd better go. It's too good stuff to
| swallow in gulps, and the soldier winked
appreciatively, as he emptied his glass
! leisurely in sips and refilled it.
| What step to take next was a question of
| some difficulty. The experience at the city
| gate had shown that Pascal could only
| hope to leave If some burgher of import
| ance could be found to vouch for him, and
the first thought was to try and find some
| one who would do this. But where to go?
| He could not tell who were for the Castle
| and who for Malincourt, and to look for
| Bablllon was pretty much like looking Tor
| a bullet that had missed its mark and bur-
| led itself somewhere in the ground.
| He was Standir e in the market place gaZ-
| ing about him vaguely and debating the
! thing when a stroke of fortune came his
| way. He caught sight of Dubois and hur-
| ried after him.
The old soldier was in a gruff mood.
| These burghers are fools: you know the
| sort, Pascal. Babblers, gabblers, brawlers,
| windbags, with never an ounce of resolu-
| ton in the lot" he said in reply to Pascal S
question as to how he had Jared with them.
| "A cataract Of talk and nothing else.'
| well, 1 want one of them to come and
| talk now and Pascal told him what had
occurred and what was needed.
They'll come and make you speech, a
round hundred of EN-" said Dubois, with
| a gesture Of contempt. But l would not
trust to one of them to act like a sensible
man"
But can you find one to identify Gerard
and get him away?'
III try to find BabilIon, and if I succeed
in getting some one to vouch for you, will
come to this house. You had better go there
and explain things. and what mouthing
numskulls these precious burghers are?"
you'll lose no time?'
Am l a burgher?" and with this last
growl he went away, while Pascal, with a
laugh, hurried to Babillon's, and reported
how matters had gone, and that there was
nothing to do but to wait.
When a chance offered he spoke to Luz
cette alone.
81 have said nothing yet. but / am nos
quite easy about that officer, Lucette. He
was very curious about-Madame Burgher;
do you think he can have recognized you?
Does he know you well?"
rs it N. Burgher questioning now?' she
asked, with a glance.
NO. we've dropped tnat, ana we re
waiting to see what next. Just now it's
some good deal in earnest"
Yes, he used to know me very we'll
rs he another of them?" He could not
resist the jest, and she laughed back with
a toss of the head.
Il don't of course understand that.
won't, l mean.''
DO you think he can have sent any one
after you to make sure you were Madame
Burgher?" LID
do you think so?" She was serious now.
81 don't know"
How did you get rid of the horses?
IN. Gerard did that"
Il must speak to him then. A very little
slip may have very big results today He
called Gerard aside and told him his doubts.
Il took the horses back to where you
hired them. l dared not leave them stand
ing here / passed a couple of soldiers, but
they took no notice of me; and of course
made sure that one followed me here"
ut may be nothing. but when that soldier
gets back and this tale gets carried to the
castle about the two Pascals and one
Lucette it may be something-especiallyi II
de Proballe's cunning ears get wind of 1t.
l wish you were away
They were very soon to have proof that
Pascars uneasiness had only too solid
grounds. They waited with much i'm
| patience for Dubois coming, and when he
came, about an hour after noon, he brought
| a grave face and very serious news.
| The city gates had been shut again and
| the governors troops We're once more
| searching the city, tIilS ll1liS Sy
| from house to house. and the efforts of the
| search parties were being in the first place
| concentrated on that part of the city in
which Babillon's house stood.
| 81 passed them at their work., he said.
''and only wonder 1 was not stopped. You
cannot stay here, or you will be trapped.
There is but one course, them decided
| Gerard. I'VE must get back to Malin-
| court
| There is a better plan" said Gabrielle.
| do you go alone Gerard, in your monk s
| gabardine. He has passed the soldiers, and
| you will do sc. l will wait for their COM
| ing. We know from what Babilon told US
| yesterday and what Captain Dubois has
heard from the burghers, that no harm
can come to me. Please
No" answered Gerard firmly. "One
| thing I will not do. l will not leave you
within that madman's reach
But it is you he seeks. Would it not
alone? And you, NJ. Pascal, what say
| you?"
y. II. would be safer, agreed the captain.
Il speak but my opinion, my lord. I
should take miladis advice. l will an
swer for her safety"
Il cannot consent"
1T will be too Tote to do anything if we
| daily in talking" said Dubois.
I'VE will go together but 1 will change
my. burgher's dress for monks" and
| he hurried from the room.
| Il am only monk outwardly, and it
may be well to have an officer among the
party, said DUBOIS, Shipping Off his CAB
| ardne and revealing his uniform under it..
! It's too late, said Pascal, who was
at the window as Gerard re-entered. THE
soldiers are already in the street. The
| chance is gone
| Gerard looked very grave and Dubois
smothered an oath in his mustache.
| Monsieur, may suggest?" put in Lu-
cette hurredy. There is a chance that
| these searchers may not know Gabrielle.
| Let NJ. Pascal and remain here to
wait for them, playing your parts, while
you hide somewhere in the house. When
they find us, they may be satisfied to
search no further than this room, and you
will be free to leave when they have gone
| 1T is well suggested declared Pascal.
'If they will not know you, mademois-
| selle, he added, with a quizzing glance.
II do not know all the officers, mon
| sieur, she retorted.
| Gerard and Gabrielle both protested
| against the plan on the ground of its dan
| ger to Lucette; but this was overborne,
| and the two were left alone, while Gerard
| Gabrielle and Dubois went with Madame
| Babillon to an upper part of the house.
| At this moment heavy hand was thrust
| against the door, which was flung open,
| and the soldiers entered.
| Gerard cried Lucette, 'look. look, the
| Soldiers" and then cstarng wildly at the
men, she clapped her hand to her lips and
| with a cry of fear fell into a seat.
Courage, Gabrielle, lit is nothing" he
| whispered in tone loud enough to be