The Holly chieftain., 1904-12-16

ing them from a nearby ulvan, wnen
Tatro. his face and voice showing the
greatest alarm, rushed into the room
and exclaimed, Mon Dieu, Monsieur
lie Barren, The peasants, A great
crowd of them are coming up the ave
nue.. Hark-you can hear their
shouts.
The chessmen and board fell to the
| floor as both players sprang from
| their chairs; and Jean, all sleepiness
banished from his eyes, stood beside
them.
Call my soldiers at once" ordered
Bonaparte. speaking to Tatro. Mon.
sieur lie Baron,' he added, turning to
him, we will do all in our power for
your protection"
| The dozen soldiers appeared, and
were ordered to post themselves in
the hall. where they stood. with ready
arms, behind their commander and
the baron, who were nearer the stout.
ly barred door, listening to the wild
hubbub of voices now close to the
chateau.
| The lieutenant waited until there
was lull in the noice; then, raising
his voice, he called out, Have a care
what you do, for the baron is not with.
out protectors. | am an officer of the
Assembly; and in its name l bid you
disperse."
There was silence, as if those out.
side were surprised at signs of an
unexpected resistance.
There were more than fifty men out.
side; with them were some women;
and Tomas Fauchel was their leader.
Monsieur lie Baron, will you per.
NIT me to arrange the defence as
see tit?" inquired the young officer.
turning to his host.
Most assuredly, sir; for have full
confidence in your ability" was the
reply.
Then extinguish every light in this
hall, and close all the doors leading
from it, SO that all here will be in
darkness" said the lieutenant, now
speaking authoritatively. And do you.
Greloire, Hooking toward his sol.
diers-'with Murier and Leboeuf.
stand here beside Monsieur lie Baron.
Watch that broken window, and put
ball into every head that appears
there"
Greloire saluted silentl,y, and the Of
ficer continued: "If Tatro will act as
guide, to pilot myself and the others
out through some unobserved way, we
will make detour. and treat our
friends to an attack in the flank"
Some of the hurled-in torches had
lit the hall for moment; but they
were quickly extinguished by the
baron.
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
sound in them bespeaking dismay
on the part of the surprised maraud
| ers.
A second volley rang out, and the
officers voice was heard. STEADY
my men. Load and fire at will, or club
your muskets. Teach these people a
lesson-one in the name of the AS
sembly.'
Those in the hall now saw fam,
ing torch thrust through the window
1t was held by Tomas Fauchel, who
waved it wildly as he shouted, "Show
thyself, thou craven baron, for neither
man nor devil shall force me from
this place until 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 mocking laugh,
and quickly extending his other hand
pulled the trigger of pistol, as he
| tossed his torch into the hall and
yelled. 'Die, thou damnable Papist
and take to hell with thee no thanks
OF mine for sparing my life"
The baron reeled. for he was struck
fairly in the forehead. But he was
caught by Leboeuf 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 he
had assassinated.
His followers, terrified by the lieu.
tenants unexpected attack. were now
flying like scared sheep; and the fight
was ended.
An hour later the silence that
wrapped the chateau would have re.