Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-26
CHAPTER XVIII.
In the "Tiger's Den"

| While all these plans were being hurrleu
| forward for his release. Gerard took his
| Imprisonment very philosophically. Ihere
| was but one circumstance which caused
him uneasiness-the doubt whether DUBOIS
could have had time before he was placed
under arrest to pass on the instructions ne
had given him.
But he had no serious fear. If Dubois
had been able to set things in motion there
would soon be some effort on foot to secure
his liberty; while If not, the worse coulo
only be that he himself would be driven
to announce his real rank to the governor
Rumors of the governors savage treat
ment of his prisoners had reached him.
garnished with many horrible story OF
torture and violence. He had now the evil
dence of this before his own eyes; perhaps
to be threatened even against himself; and
these things he might never nave Deeh
able to prove had he declared himself ear
| lier.
That they were there to intimidate him
| he was soon to know, for a warder en-
| tered and began to make them ready FOR
use.
Gerard watched him curiously from the
SPOT where he sat bound, and at length
broke silence.
you ply a strange trade my friend,
! he said.
prisoners must be silent" answered the
man. 1t was Pauline's father. Pierre, who
| had received orders from de Probable in
| the dukes name to have the CHASTITY IN
struments in readiness, and to do the work
before the prisoners eyes.
80 you are the governors torturer,
said Gerard next. Il don't envy you your
trade"
II am no torturer." said Pierre. Il am
the warder."
"Warder only. Ell? You get the torture
tougher stomach to do the managing.
Yet by the look of your face think I'm
wronging you. Those eyes of yours speak
of a better nature than your words imply.
II have to obey my orders. You are
soldier, they say, and should know that
Why are you placed here?'
That's a question l could better put to
YOU To watch you set those instruments
running smoothly for my poor bones,
maybe"
"'Tis sight many brave man has
quailed at seeing. But l mean, what Is
your crime? What have you done?'
LAS much as many of the governors pris-
oners probably; that Is, nothing"
Then these are to find the offense."
Gerard laughed lightly.
you've pleasant wit. warder. What's
your name?'
Pierre belmont
And SO you think. Pierre, that 1 am to
be put in the embrace of some one of
those pretty toys of yours in order to con-
fess to something / haven't done? And
suppose you speak after some experienced"
II have counseled many a man to con-
fess to some light crime rather than face
these; and more than one has scoffed at
my words to his after sorrow"
I'm in no danger, Pierre"
yet not for any reasons you know Of"
Surely that sentence has a double
sound"
Pierre left his work, crossed toward &C.
rard and answered in a low tone.
1T means what / did not purpose to tell
you yet-that i am your friend at the bid
ding of others. We shall set you free, you
and the other prisoner, the monk. My
work here l must do; otherwise 1 might be
suspected; and I meant to hold my tongue
until it profited to speak"
who are those others?"
Some one is coming. Silence" said
Pierre. hastily. as he withdrew to the other
end of the cell and busted himself again
with his gruesome task.
Presently a knock sounded on the door,
and Pierre let drop the irons he held with
| clanking sound. The knock was repeated
and he opened the door.
The governor and de Probable entered
why did you keep me waiting?" de-
manded the former angrily.
Il was working yonder, my lord and did
not hear YOU"
Pierre went back to his work and the
| two stood looking down at Gerard.
You can see now what comes of defying
| the governor and playing me false, NJ. &C.
| rard de Cobalt" said de Probable, with an
evil smile. "And this is only the beginning,
unless you are In another mood"
The Duke OF Rochelle has surely some
other motive in coming here than to allow
| this carrion to insult me-" said Gerard
turning to the governor.
The governor smiled at de Proballe's start
| of anger.
II have come to you with a mercifuI oh
| ject"
II seek no mercy at your hands, monsieur.
| II you have come to do tardy justice It
wiz suffice for me. for you will order the