Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-04-28
CHATTER XVII.
THE FLIGHT FROM scEAuN.


CHAPTER XVII.
THE FLIGHT FROM SCEAUX.
The responsibility brought by the
possession of such valuable state pa
pers oppressed me greatly, to say Moth
ing of the perils which would beset
their custodian ii it became .Ierolne's
purpose to reclaim them. thought it
most prudent and proper under pres
ent conditions To see the dispatches
safe in de Serigny's hands-then, at
least, l would be absolved from amy
blame in the matter. Serigny held me
responsible, and it would perhaps be
the part of wisdom to act independents
~ of jerome, report fully to Serigny,
and if it We're then his wish that the
Investigation concerning Ward and
Madame du Maine be pressed TO fur
Their discoveries, nothing would be
easier than 10 return to Paris almost
before jerome could miss me. need
tell Serigny nothing of my suspicion
Of jerome; even IL true, his animcsity
would vanish with the cause which
gave 1T birth.
There was much TO acquaint Serigny
with, much perchance he knew already,
Paris swarmed with rumors. Every lip
was busy with second hand gossip
coming, as each relator declared,
from the most reliable sources
My cousin, who is laundress to
the Countess de Lanois, says and
upon this immaculate authority the
butcher upon his morning rounds de-
tailed the most delightful and mpos-
sible gossip To his customers.
"Pierre. my son, the valet, who is in
the confidence of the Duke of Gesvres
heard his grace say with his own lips"
and SO the Wine room stories flew
gathering strength and falsehood as
they went. But the story of today
gave the lie 10 that of yesterday, and
no man knew the truth.
War with Spain filled every mouth
yet none had a why or wherefore
The king said war" and all his nation
echoed. No. not all. Many there We're
who gave voice to the cry with hearts
that rebelled. with clear brains ques-
ticnlng the right OF one man to plunge
Whole people into renewed Slaughter
These held their peace for the sake of
their necks II am the State" Louis
had declared, and such ideas We're not
for the canaille to have; they must
curb their tongues to cheat the gibbet
Being soldier and under orders, had
no right to form opinions, but, sobered
in some degree by these reflections
paced about until it came time to take
horse and away.
In the name OF the wandering
Ulysses. Placide. where have you been
these two good hours?' said Jerome
suddenly coming toward me-
Has it been so long? | tired of the
crowd and strolled alone through the
gardens
His quick eye caught sight of the
handkerchief tucked snugly in my belt
"A lady? And so soon?' he banter
ed me.
My tell-tale flush permitted no denial
nor did j care to discuss 1T. AS we
talked we drifted into small room
lust off the main hall.
BY the way. Placide, had we better
not place our dispa tches in some safe
hiding until we leave here? 1t might
be suspected we have them. The devil
only knows what that scheming de
Valence and du Maine may not I'M
earth. Their spies are everywhere"
i agreed with him. 1t was as well;
anything to gain time and allay sus-
picion. But l understood my ladys
warning was true; his earnestness con-
WINGED me.
Where do you carry them?"
Sewn in the lining of my cloak" l
replied. lie. but pardonable.
Why, you careless fellow; they may
be lost. Where is your cloak?" seeing
did not have it.
"In charge OF Damien; he Is trusty."
Better have 1t yourself; wait here
l will go and fetch It,"
/ congratulated myself on this dip
lomatic stroke. for Jerome was about
to start off in haste when Damien him
self appeared. and before i could stop
him. delivered the message.
The horses are saddled and at the
door,"
60 and wait with them
Jerome had taken my cloak from the
fellows arm. for in fact he had it,
and now laid it across his knee. His
blank expression showed utter aston
ishment at the disclosure.
What does this mean? We are to
est here tonight?"
mo; l ride to Paris?"
"Why?"
II am afraid"
"Of what?"
"Oe everything. We are In the house
of our enemies, and it is the quality of
courage to be discreet
During this brief dialogue Jerome
was stealthily running his hands
through the lining of my cloak until
he compreEended / had misled him.
I could almost put his thought in
words Together we arose, laying each
our hands upon the half-closed door,
he to hold it. / to open it. steady-eyed,
and each reluctant to cause the breach
we knew must come.
"Plactde, the papers are not here"
he said in a quiet tone, yet full of de-
termination.
II know it,"
why have you deceived me then?"
for lie could mask his purpose no long
err. Hand me those dispatches"
No. My orders are to place them in
the hands of Serigny."
But must have them"
And tell you as firmly. you can
not"
Listen captain" he begged in al
tered tones, those dispatches may
compromise Celeste. Let us take from
them anything which duplicates her
in this miserable intrigue. and deliver
the rest. That is easy. can open and
close them again SO it cannot be told"
My orders are not to open them"
BY God. you Will" he burst out
with volcanic fury. mo. no; am too
hot. We can lose them; tell Serigny
they were never found: tell Serigny
carried them off; tell him he never had
them. We can fix tale"
ut would be long story. and liar
must needs have good memory"
was playing for time. time to think.
time to get away.
But will go with you Serigny," he
insisted, tell the lie and make him