The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-04-29
CHAPTER XVII.
THE FLIGHT FROM sCEAuN.

THE FLIGHT FROM SCGAJN.
The responsibility brought by the
possession of such valuable state pa
pers oppressed me greatly, to say moth
ing OF the perils which would besct
their custodian if it became Jerome's
purpose to reclaim them. l thought il
most prudent and proper under pres
ent conditions to see the dispatches
safe in de S~erigny's hands-thcn at
least, | would be absolyed from any
blame in the matter. ScIigny held me
responsible, and it would perhaps lie
the part of wisdom to act independents
" OF Jerome. report fully to Serigny.
n II 1t were hen his wish that the
investigation concerning Ward and
Madame du Maine be pressed to fur
Their discoveries. nothing would be
easier thar to return to Paris almost
before jerome could miss me. | need
tell SerIgny nothing OF my suspicion
OF Jerome; even il true, his anirnosity
would vanish with the cause which
gave it birth.
mere was much to acQuaint Serigny
with, much ~perchance he knew ready
Paris sWarlned with runaors. Every lin
was busy with secondhand gossip
coming as each relator declared.
from the most reliable sources.
My cousin, who is laundress to
the Countess de Lanois, ays," and
upon this immaculate authority the
butcher upon his morning rounds de-
tailed the most delightful and impos-
slble gossip to his customers.
Pierre, my son, the valet, w Il 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 to that of Yesterday, and
no man knew the truth.
War with SDain filled every mouth
yet none had a why or a wherefore.
The king said war" n all his nation
echoed. No, not all. Many there were
who gave voice to the cry with hearts
that rebelled. with clear brains cues
tlonlng the right of one man to plunge
a whole people into renewed slaughter.
These held their peace for the sake of
their necks. Il am the State" Louis
had declared, and such ideas were not
for the canaille to have: they must
curb their tongues to cheat the gibbet.
Being a soldier and under orders. I had
no right to form opinions, but. sobered
in some degree by these reflections.
paced about until it came time to take
horse anha away.
In the name Of the wandering
Ulysses. Placide. where have you been
these two good hours?' said jerome,
SuuueulS coming toward me-.
Has it been SO long? b tired of the
crowd i 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 | care to discuss it. AS we
talked we drifted into u small room
l 1l1c 1 h. 1oli !, n
by the way. Placide, had we better
not place our dispatches in some safe
hiding until we cav here? 1T might
be suspected We have them. The devil
only knows what that scherning de
Nalence and du Maine may MOI UNI
earth. Their spies are everywhere.'
l agreed With him. 1t was as well:
anything to gain time and a!lay sus-
picion. But l understood my lady's
warning was true; his earneStness con
WINGED me.
Where do you carry them?"
Sewn in the lining of my cloak"
replied. a lie, but p~ardonable.
why, you careless fellow; they may
be lost. Where is your cloak?" seeing
| did not ave it.
In charge OF Damien; he is rusty
Better have it yourself; wait here,
l Will go and fetch it,
l congratulated myself on his dip
lomatic stroke. for Jerome was about
to start off in haste When Damien him
self appeared, and before L could stop
him. delivered the message.
The horses are saddled and at the
door,
eco 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?"
No; l ride to Paris?"
"Why?"
II am afraid 6
"Of WHAT"
"Of everything. We are in the house
of our enemies, and it is the quality Of
courage to be discreet
During this brief dialogue Jerome
vas stealthily running his hands
through the lining Of my cloak until
he c~omprehended l had misled him.
l could almost put his thought in
words. Together we arose. laying each
u hands upon the half-closed door,
he to hold it, l to open it. steady-eyed,
and each reluctant to cause the breach
we knew must come.
"Placide, the papers are not here"
he said in a quiet tone, yet full of de-
termination.
II know it."
Why have you deceived me them"
for he could mask his purpose no long
err. Hand me those dispatches"
NO. My orders are to place them in
the hands of Serigny."
But I must have them"
And 1 tell you as firmly, you can
not"
Listen captain" he begged in al
tered tones, those dispatches may
compromise Celeste. Let us AXE from
them anything which duplicates her
in this miserable intrigue. and deliver
the rest. That is easy. 1 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; 1 am too
hot. We can lose them; tell Serigny
they were never found; stell Serigny
carried them off; tell him he never had
them. We can fix q tale"
1t would be a long story, and a liar
must needs have q good memory"
| was playing for time. time to think, |
lime to get away.