Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-01

"That is true" answered de Wire.
u was there"
did you discharge the musket?"
Yes, Monsieur lie Chevalier-that
is, | had done so."
AT the troops of FranceY
Yes, but
A roar of rage swept through the
hall as the men heard this damning
admission.
why hear any more, Monsieur lie
Chevalier7" burst out Capt Rouvigny,
volcing the thought of the others. III
he be not a self-convicted traitor, let
him be shot as a deserter"
"Messieurs, you must hear mel
You shalli" exclaimed de Wire. Il
have been prisoner in the English
fleet. Through the conntvance or a
soldier in their marine procured this
uniform | escaped from the ship
last night. hoped to reach the town
and warn you and Monsieur de Mont
calm OF the expected attack on the
town before morning. but found 1t
Impossible to get away l was COM
Delled to stay in the ranks, and With
o1Hculty escaped detecuon. posed
es renegade or l would have been
Killed out Of hand. My gun was not
loaded with ball. looked carefully
to that, gentlemen. | swear to you
threw 1t away at the first moment and
ran to Join my friends. AS there Is
God in Heaven, Monsieur lie Chew
alier, speak the truth! beg you
to hold me until you can communicate
with the English and verify my state
mert."
We cannot hold the town week.
Monsieur de Vitre," returned the gov
ernor quickly. And to defer your
punishment until the English take US
would mean to let you escape scot
free. Frankly, do not believe your
story. What say you, gentlemen"
No, no, he is a traitor! Away with
him!" cried one and another.
Gentlemen, If I ever escape from
this predicament," answered de Wire
boldly, rest assured that you shall
answer to me for your words and ac-
| tions!"
This is idle talk, monsieur" said
| the governor severely; "as the COM
mandant of the garrison shall order
you to be shot at cnce, upon your own
admissions, which you have failed to
explain to our satisfaction, If there is
no one here who will protest, or say
word in your defence"
II will do that, Monsieur lie Cheva-
lier!" clear voice cried out from the
other end of the hall, as Anne de
Rohan, followed by Josette, entered the
door and advanced before the cheva-
| lier.
"NIademoiselle de Rohan!" exclaimed
the governor in great surprise, rising
| to his feet the while, and bowling pro-
foundly before her. movement
which Of course, was emulated by all
the officers. Here is no place for
ladies'"
Il am witness in the case, Monsieur
| de Ramsay. Am In time to save tho
life and honor of brave MANI"
Time serves you, mademoiselle. but
otherwise your effort is impossible.
Monsieur de Wire was seen this morn
ing in the English ranks in their uni
form-indeed he has 1t on now. He
bore arms against us in the field. He
admits it. He is believed to have acted
as pilot for the English ships"
otis false, sir!" interrupted the
girl
Thank God for that word, mademoi-
selle!" cried de Wire. IF you believe
undaunted."
Silence. Monsieur de V:tre!-Why
say you this, mademoiselle? asked
the governor.
Because there is an English officer
wounded and prisoner in my house,
who has learned by chance of Mon
sieur de Wires predicament and who
vows that he is innocent; that he did
not pilot the ships; that he refused to
do so even at the peril Of his life, and
! that he had been held close prisoner
on the English ships since his cap
ture.
"Dr. Armour dressed the young Eng
lishman's wounds. He Is captain in
the English navy. When he recovered
consciousness I mentioned Monsieur
de Wires predicament, and he insisted
that must come to tell you this story,
and if you doubted 1t was to ask you
to send an officer to question him."
why came he not himself, them"
HE is too severely wounded, sir,
and the doctor forbade him to move"
Continued in next issue.)