Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24
prisoners who escaped last night from the

| castle and"
Malincourt Monsieur!' Admirably as
stunned indignation 1t was. and every inter-
| ruption meant a gain OF time. DO you
| think we harbor thieves and malefactors
| here?"
These are no. ordinary prisoners. made
molselle, he replied with another smile
he found Lucettes eyes very pleasing to
And you are no ordinary thief catcher.
monsieur A gallant captain like yourself
must .Sa ind such work little to your taste" :,
we nave to obey orders, mademoiselle."
| ana 1rlghten poor girls out of their wits,
| IL seems. thought all soldiers were as
gallant as most of them are handsome"
and she pointed this with very telling
glarce.
You need be in no fear, mademoiselle. If
you will but let us do our duty"
Then You are rot going to arrest me?"
and she laughed and added. as she made
more havoc with her eyes; II think 1 could
| trust myself to you, monsieur"
is Mile. de Malincourt here?"
Mile de Malincourt!' This in tone Of
me next? Is she one of your escaped pris-
oners?' and Lucette burst into a peal of
| merry laughter.
His excellency the governor is anxious
| to see her at The castle, and we are to
escort here there"
you sreak in riGdles, monsieur Do you
| mean that the Duke de Rochelle invites
guests to the castle with a file of soldiers
to see that they accept the invitation?
| Surely l am dreaming
| zone OF the prisoners who escaped was
| a friend of mademoiselle, and she is asked
| for at the castle in regard to the matter"
| "Oh, you mean you would make her
prisoner? Then, if she were here, 1 would
| refuse to tell YOU
, ut will be better to answer me directly"
| said the officer.
did you ever know woman who could.
! monsieur"
by your leave 1 must press for decided
| reply to my question"
| And by your leave I deny your right to
uestion me and expect any reply
las you please, of course" he answered.
| courteously. There is another matter. A
| guard of men was left here this morning
| when the house had been searched
| ."Searched?" broke in Lucette. r'Search-
! ed? Malincourt searched! There has been
| no search of Malncourt while have been
| here. True, l was absent in attendance
upon the Duchess de Rochelle this morning,
but Malincourt searched! Surely you are
| misinformed."
at is as 1 say The house was searched
| in the belief that the prisoners were here,
or Mademoselle de Malincourt herself, and
| a guard was left in case they should seek
| refuge here
J "Mademoiselle de Malincourt seek refuge
1 in her own house! Monsieur
| Il think you must know of this" he an
| Swered. smiling
| Il am sure you are too frank to deceive
| me. L would trust YOU
you are very good 81 do not like this
| GRAND. it is true, but 1 have no option
| save to perform it,
II can understand that, monsieur" she
| said, with a glance that made him wish
| any one else had been chosen for the task
| You have too good heart to wish TO
frighten a poor girl like myself, or to per-
| Selle de Malincourt."
Several messengers have been sent here
| during the day and none of them has re-
turned. l have come therefore, to learn
| the reason.
Certainly, monsieur. It is very strange"
| and Lucette looked at him, almost sympa-
| thetically. what do you wish me to do?'
| Il must see the guard for myself, made
| moiselle.'
Certainly, monsieur. Where are they?"
| Pardon me. You are either keeping
| matters from me-which assure you will
| be useless-or you are strangely ignorant
| of what has occurred here"
| Il think 1t must be both, monsieur, don't
YOU and they laughed together at the
reply.
Il beg you tell me-"
ooh. am I the guard? Very we'll. What
| shall 1 tell you?''
He made a gesture of impatience
F, ''Where are the soldiers? My orders are
| to use all Dispatch
| "Oh, then am not the guard" she cried
! with a laugh; and then seriously: Il give
| you my word, monsieur, l have been in the
| house some hours and have seen neither
! the guard nor the messengers"
| Have you3seen the prisoners, mademoi-
| seller" To- 2-,f.
Monsieur. That question is almost an
| insult"
Il meant no insult to so charming lady,
I assure you; but you leave me no option
| save to search the house"
| What, again." she cried in merry ban
| tering tone. Il did not know the great
| duke was organizing game of hide and
| go seek. But, seriously, monsieur, do you
| think your party is strong enough? We
| have a number of very savage old men
emong the Malincourt retainers, and some
| younger girls than 1"
| There will be none prettier mademoi-
| selle, and none with more biting tongues
1 should wish to do it with the least incon-
| venience."
'grhen 1 beg you will have in all your
men and search all the wings at once" said
| Lucette quickly. Il shall see you again
| when it is over" true saying with an
| other meaning than the young officer UNI
! derstood, and she went away, having sue
cessfully used up an invaluable half hour
Pascal and Gerard had heard it all from
| their post above stairs and were ready
| with their plans. The officer lost no time
now in bringing in all but dozen of his
| party, and he dispatched them through the
! house with orders to search every room
| closely from roof to cellar, thus falling
| straight into the trap laid for him and
| them.
| He himself remained below by the door
| until he heard the scufflling sound of
| struggle somewhere on an upper floor y
voice called to him: 'They are here, lieu
| tenant" and at that he dashed up the
|
| heels,
| 1t was but ruse to draw him away, and
| the moment he had gone Gerard sent a
| man to the door who beckoned eXcitedly to
| the troops outside to enter, and as they
| dashed in, installing the man for one of
| their comrades, they were seized, disarmed
| and hurried away in custody-the blow be-
| ing cleverly, quickly and almost silently
| struck.
Another false alarm was now raised in
! different wing of the house. and those SOL
| diers who rushed to follow the sound were
| caught in the same way. Other false
| alarms followed in various directions, until
| the searchers, utterly bewildered and con-
| fused ran first way and then
| other only to be caught in the net so
| warily and cleverly spread.
| At length the young officer with the re-
mainder came down to the central hall,
| and with ringing shout called his men to
| him. At this Pascal stepped toward him.
81 am sorry, monsieur, but have found
| II necessary to detain your men for
| time.
| At a word from the officer every musket
was leveled point blank at him, but he re-
manned perfectly cool
.'Who are you?" demanded the officer.
| "But whoever you are, you are my prison.
| err and If you move my men will fire."
! 'sYour men can fire If you order, mon
4 e;auro onSuered Pascal calmly "but II