Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-02-25

what had happened, was safe On the
other side. with the stout oaken boards
well locked between.
heard Ward yell: To the great
gate, my DULLES. and will follow here,
and at once a great pressure was cast
against the door, but 1t brayely bore
the strain.
Come" Florine said; and taking me
by the hand together we sped through
many dark and devious windings, UNI
til stood once more in the open
street.
Hurry, Monsieur, take that street;
it leads to Rue st. Antoine. whence
Monsieur can find his way"
would have paused moment TO
thank the girl, but she babe me haste.
pressed q piece Of gold into her hand;
she would not have It,
mo. Monsieur, not for your gold, :"
and the woman Of the wineshOp shamed
my thought. Good night, Monsieur.
She kissed my hand, and drew back
into the darkness.
turned hastily down the street.
but had not made more than the dis
lance of three rods when I heard a
scream, and looking back saw two men
dragging Florine back into the street.
Which way did he go?" Ward de-
manded fiercely.
She made no reply.
Speak quick. or I'll kill you az ]
would hare"
Still she kept her tongue.
"She makes time for her lover.
Carne," the other man suggested, and
as feared he would strike, called out
loudly to them:
Here he u.s." to draw them of from
the girl.
They dropped her at once and start
ed in my direction. I ran on ahead,
yet at q disadvantage. for knew not
where to go. knowing, too, that could
all dreaded falling inc the hands OF
the city guard with the papers had
upon me. I ran under street lamp.
and taking up a position some twenty
feet beyond In the dark, waited. The
knife for one, the sword for the other.
was my thought. Holding my long
sword in my left hand, I swung my
right free. and catching my knife by
Its point, stood my ground. The young
er man was swifter, yet seemed afraid
to lead Ward. SO they passed under
the lamp side by side.
Selecting Ward as my mark, made
quick cast. and had the satisfaction
Of seeing my knife glitter as 1t struck
him full in the shoulder, and bury itself
well to the hilt. 1t was trick I had
learned from the Indians and II had
not been lost.
IA million devils, who was that?''
screamed the stricken man, tugging to
free the kniis. Out it came, followed
by widening dark stain upon kia
doublet.
"He had others with him-hidden in
the dark" and at his companions sug-
! gestion they stood back to back, In
/ readiness for their imaginary foes.
This gave me an opportunity to slip
away, they pursuing no further.
lodged round the next corner and took
my way up a street running parallel
to the one left.
When they no longer came slack
ened my pace to walk. trying in vain
to recall how came and how to reach
4 Rue st. Denis. There was nothing FOL
1t but to keep straight on. The streets
= grew broader and travellers moi
| SO few. questioned several. and
! for coin secured an honest.
looking idler to guide me. II
was not SO very far after all to my inn
yet right joyful was to see the place
again and to find cheerful fire blaz-
ing on the hearth. I stood before the
homelike warmth and chuckled to my
self at the success of my adventure.
CONTINUED Next Week.)