The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1904-12-22

There vas silence. ss n those out,
we're surprised AZ signs Of an
unexpected resistance.
There were more than nifty men out.
side with them were some women;
and Tomas Fauchai was their leader.
Monsieur ie Baron. VII you per
NIT M 10 arrange the defence As
see ht7' inquired the young omcer.
turning 10 his host.
Most assuredly. SIR: for ! have fun
confidence in your ability" was tho
reply.
Then extinguish every light IN tliis
hall. and close ali the doors leading
from H. so that ell here viii be in
darkness" said the lieutenant, nov
speaking authorltstiveig And do you.
Greloire. Hooking toward his sol
diers-"with Murier and LeboeuL
stand here beside Monsieur le Baron.
Watch that broken window, and put
a ball into every head that appears
there"
Grelolre saluted silently, and the OF.
hcer continued: III Tatro will act as
guide. TO pilot myself and the others
out through some unobserved way, We
viii make a detour. and treat our
friends 10 an attack In the flank"
Some OF the hurled-ln torches had
III the hall for a moment; but they
were quickly extinguished by the
baron. q,
A moment later the discharge Of
musketry outside told that the lieu
tenant and his men had come upon
the scene. Then the air was rent by
more yells and imprecatiouss but with
a sound in them ~bespesking dismay
on the part OF the surprised maraud-
ers.
A second volley rang out, and the
oncer's voice. was heard. STEADY.
my men. Load and FIRE at viii, or club
your muskets. Teach these people a
lesson-one in the name Of the As
sembly."
Those in the hall now saw a fam
ing torch thrust through the window.
Il was held by Tomas Fauehel. who
waved Il wildly as be shouted, SHOW
thyself. thou craven baron. for neither
nan nor devil shall force me from
this place until I have kept my oath.
and killed thee!"
The light Of his torch fell upon the
uplifted face-white and stern-of the
baron, who said, laying his hand upon
the musket with which Leboeuf was
taking aim at the hAlf-crazed fanatic,
do him no harm. let him live"
Fauchel. who had heard the words,
answered them with a hooking laugh,
and quickly extending his other hand.
pulled the trigger Of a pistol. as he
tossed his torch into the hall and
yelled. "Die. thou damnable Papist,
and take TO he'll With thee no thanks
OF mine for sparing ny life"
The baron reeled. Tor he was struck
fairly in the forehead. But he was
caught by Leboeut and his dead form
was not laid upon the floor before Gre.
loire had planted a musket-ball In
Fauchel's head. and tumbled him
from the ladder-dead as the man be
had assassinated.
His followers, terrified by the lieu.
tenants unexpected attack. were now
dying like scared sheep: and the fight
vas ended.
An hour later the silence that
wrapped the chateau would have re.
PEELED the thought Of such an uproar
having ragged within IL so recently.
The dead had been laid In upper
rooms. and Margot had gone TO her
own part OF the house, leaving Jean
"a the drawing-noom with the lieutcn.
ant, who was nov walking up and
down. and now sitting on the divan,
beside the passionately grleving boy.
10 whom be spoke words Of tenderest
sympathy. stroking the dark hair. OF
holding the burning hands In a cool
clasp that vas infinitely soothing.
Some Of the soldiers took turns al
mounting guard In the lower han. for
fear OF a possible renewal OF the at.
tack. But the peasants bathurst was
evidently spent for the present, az
least as nothing happened TO disturb
the silence OF the succeeding hours.
Ito be continued.)
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