Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24
CHAPTER XIV.
Copyright, 1904, by Arthur W. Marchmont)


hurried toward the house with Lucette
unsuspiciously, and said little beyond
word or two of rebuke for his disclosure OF
their mutual plan.
"You should not have said anything. III
may increase the difficulty of getting rid OF
him."
but I would not have him think he could
use me as a decoy."
TT would have been safer to have told
him afterward."
SAFER? You do not mean you are afraid
of him, Jacques" and look and tone ana
gesture were alike eloquent of indignant
reputation of the thought.
afraid of him? Indeed no. he replied
stoutly. but with a timorous glance over
his shoulder.
'If you were coward, OH" and her
disgust was intense.
II am no coward, but prudence Is always
valuable" and in this way she plagued
him tn they reached the house. and as
they entered the door they were met by
Pascal.
Lucette gave a little cry of pretended
alarm and Dauban changed color in alarm
that was very far from pretense.
"Ah. you recognize me. | see, said Pas-
cal with an ominous smile.
Dauban gazed at him moment, and then
at 1.NctltG, anu IN llldl InOIleHl the u util
dawned upon him. He saw how he had
been fooled, and with a cry of rage and
despair he raised his arm and rushed at
Lucette to strike her. But Pascal caught
his hand and thrust it back.
stay. little spy, stay. If you've a fancy
for striking some one. strike me. not a
girl"
so, you are not a coward. Is this the
proof?' asked Lucette Master Dauban
has brought me to Malincourt. monsieur, in
order that | may get disguise for Mad
emoiselle de Malincourt and then go with
him to Crevasse to find the fugitives there
and hand over NJ. Gerard and the monk to
the soldiery after enabling milad to es-
cape. He will he able to get me out of the
city with a permit which he has thought
fully brought with him.
Pascal laughed.
You she-devil! cried Dauban, white and
trembling with his passion.
Both you and Antoine had frenzy to
use me as decoy; well, YOU have had your
way-and lesson and with laugh she
went away.
you seem to have made a mess of
things, spy said Pascal Give me the
she lied. as she has lied all through
/ have no such thing.
Come no NONSENSE. s-id Pascal stcrnly.
Hand it over. l am in good humor yet
and may not hurt even you. But don't
put me in a bad one"
What does this mean?" asked Dauban.
That you have come back to Malincourt.
3
have it taken from you? l think you know
whether l am safe to trife WITH and he
held out his hand.
With trembling fingers Dauban drew 1t
from his pocket and handed 1t over; and
Pascal called up a couple of men and gave
him into their charge Antoine he did not
even trouble to see. but gave orders that he
should be kept in safe custody, and then
carried the permit to Gerard to consult
with him as to making use of 1t.
Lucette first hurried to Denys, whom she
found sufficiently recovered to have been
able TO leave his bed, and having told him
all that had occurred at the castle she went
to Gabrielle.
How calm and strong you are, Gabri-
ellie" she said. when the first greetings had
been exchanged "And l am in a perfect
fever of restlessness."
who can do anything but walt, Luz
cette."
but what will happen? Can't we do
something? Tell me everything that has
happened. I am dying to know everything
everything"
Gabrielle told her as shortly as she could
what had occurred in the cell and after
ward in the futile attempt to escape from
the city, and then the return to Malln-
court.
'They think you are all at Crevasse"
$50 NJ. Pascal brought us word when he
told us to expect you. 1 am so glad you
have escaped and to have you with mo
again. Now tell me how you managed it,.
Lucette made her recital very brief indeed
saying niue OF iblllll5 VI IIlS 4il'ctiAo SIAI
lad employed to cozen the two men.
They must have been mad indeed to
think you would betray me" said Gabrielle
THEY were thinking most of the thou
sand crowns. and when a mans head is set
moneyward he is most easily blinded to
other things
What a philosopher you are, Lucette-
about men"
And so NJ. Gerard is NJ Gerard stn
Gabrielle but not de Cobalt" said Lucette
changing the subject. How glad and
proud you must feel"
III Only this danger were over; but the
suspense is racking." replied Gabrielle, with
a sigh. Amy hour. any minute may bring
the governor to MalIncourt with a strong
force"
but are we not also strong?"
I'm numbers. perhaps, strong enough;
but our men are virtually without arms"
IF he comes you can hold out as long as
possible and then fly
do you think he would leave us a way
out?"
What do you mean, Gabrielle2"
why, that Malincourt would be sur
rounded. of course, and every chance of es-
cape stopped We have indeed been con-
sidering within the last hour whether it
wouldn't be best to risk flight and seek con-
cealment IN the city while there is yet
time"
''Of truth. it is well came back" ex-
claimed Lucette eXcitedly, jumping up
Where are your wits. Gabrielle? They say
love sharpens them in woman and blunts
tiftAh III a man. buN til4S uttS not look Ike
IT.
'Lucette!" cried Gabrielle flushing partly
In confusion at the words and partly with
the gathered infection of Lucette's excite
nent
yes. you ought to blush for your for
getfulness when the man you love Is at
such dangerous pass"
What do you mean?" cried Gabrielle
searching her memory vainly for some
clue. What have | forgotten?"
Why. the passage that leads from the
chapel crypt 10 the old burial ground and
out 10 the woods beyond Were the dukes
soldiers swarming in thousands round the
house that way would still be clear for
every man and woman inside to pass out in
safety"
MY wits must have been duh indeed
not to think Of it," cried Gabrielle as ex-
cited now az Lucette. you have saved
us all, Iucette. We must tell them at
once. That II should have been left for
you to remind me of iti'
Il have been in ii; you have only heard of
II; ard it's easy 10 remember what ones ac-
tually seen. I'll go for them" and she was
hurrying out when Gerard and Pascal came
Gerard held the permit taken from Dau-
ban. and greeted Lucette with a smile and
many thanks for what she had done
This will clear the way for us. Gabrielle"
he said then. I'VE can get out of the CITY
and l have decided TO go at once If you are
willing to run the risk"
"Ah I'M baa