Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-19

If still doubling. Pascal Glanced around the
room for himself. taking advantage OF the
minute to loose his habit stealthily.-
Paper. monsieuer.,n' he said and while
Daubans back was toward hina he slipped
Off his habit and Laughed.
At his laugh Dauban turned and the color
milton. 80
Now. Master Spy. we will have little
tax and an understanding, said rascal;
SIT down there" pointing to seat, ana
II you give but one faint sign OF resistance,
I'll first break half the bones in your BODY
up here, and then pitch you from the case
ment yonder for the courtyard stones 10
break the other half"JH
The spy sat staring open-eyed and agape
at him, cursing himself for his blindness In
not having recognized Pascal; and cudgel-
ing his wits how to get out OF the Trap
into which he had walked, and In aoJect
fear for himself
You thought to trap me- Master Spy, and
instead I've trapped you. Now understand,
I'm In too dangerous a mood to bear any
triffing and am in desperate haste: 10 an
l tell you and do 1t at once, ana answer
my questions plainly. and you'll save your
life; but try to fool me and-weH, I've told
you what I'll do, and I'm man of my
word"
SILENCE. till 1 bid you speak. This is
your masters room and you are in MS
confidence. You know the part he mas
played in all this business about NJ. de Co
paper that concerns it, .-s-,
II know nothing. monsieur, swear; and
there are no papers I'll swear 1t on the
holy crucifix' z--f.@
''If you keep me daIlying in this way the
next oath you take about 1t will De In
hell" growled Pascal sternly.
Il declare on my soul But oeIore ne
could say more Pascal had MIN by tne
throat and shook him till his teeth rattied
and the stars came out in myriads In the
armament of his dazed sight.
Now, perhaps, you're frightened enough
to tell the truth" he cried with herce
oath, as he flung him back on the seat.
The spy fell doubled up against the table,
and as Pascal perked up again he heard
the crackle of papers under his doubiet.
80 you have them on you, you sly devil
have you? Strip to the skin, and let me see
what's there. If play valet for you you'll
find little play in it, on my oath
"Pll tell you all. monsieur gasped Dau,
ban, family. Let me but get my breath
Il want no more of your lies. Give me
the papers"
'"They are there" and Dauban pointed to
a desk
THANK you master liar, but first III
have those on YOU Quick Or and an
other threatening gesture finished the SEN
tence.
Slowly and with groan of anguish, Dau-
ban took out some of the papers he mad
concealed in his clothes, and laid them on
the table.
1.-THE rest" said Pascal. putting these out
Of the spy's reach. strip and don't try
my temper farther, or I'll not answer 1or
myself"
Trembling so that his aching teeth chat
tered. Dauban obeyed the command; ana
as each garment was drawn off Pascal eX-
amined 1t for any concealed documents, ana
a quick glance at what he found showed
him the nature and value of his discovery.
He had the proofs not only Of de Probable $
infamy, but also of the dukes completely
in everything.
Now open these places and. while
search, put on your clothes again Quick!
he Numbered.
Then Dauban formed plan. Terror
stricken though he was, he had yet sense
to reflect that he could never face his mas
ter with such confession. He donned MS
clothes rapidly, and going to the CUPBOARD
said:
"There is secret hiding place here, mon
sieur."
But Pascal was as sharp as dagger's
point and on the instant detected chahS1
of tone, and was ready for trick.
"Open it, he said, curtly, and without
turning his head shifted his position just
sufficiently to watch the spy. Dauban made
pretense of opening some secret recess
and Pascal saw him snatch up something
and conceal 1t.
ut is open, monsieur" said the spy.
Good. Fright makes ready servant OF
you" replied Pascal; and as II uhsuspi-
cious of treachery, crossed the room turn
With a quick stealthy rush Dauban
sprang forward only to find himself fofied.
his uplifted right hand caught In grip OF
iron the weapon taken from 1t and himself
pinned against the wall with fingers of
steel playing on his windpipe and Pascals
eyes cleaning close to his. He Wrtggled
and fought with the strength or despair
but the air was shut from his lungs, MS
sight grew blurred. a bloodred mist surged
about him, and then all was udih Win 'iie
darkness of death.
1.-THE sly, treacherous devil" murmured
Pascal. as he let the inert helpless body of
the SPY slip to the ground. Who'd have
thought he'd even enough pluck for such
a thing?
What to do with him was a difficulty,
however. Pascal had already lost time
which could Ill be spared, and having had
one experience of Dauban's cleverness in
slipping out of his bonds, he was 10Th TO
trust again to mere cords.
hurried search of the room offered no
solution, and for the moment there seemed
nothing for 1t save the desperate step of
plunging the knife INTO ms heart. he had
earned death by his last murderous attack,
and Pascal picked up the weapon: but he
shrank from the deed and with the object
of obtaining the assistance of some of the
household he opened the door.
In the corridor he found Lucette stroling
near the room with an assumed air of in
difference. On seeing him she made as if
to hurry away; and he called her.
'MaQemOlSeIle. you must nelp me, ne
said, somewhat brusquely and with touch
of command in his tone.
Where is the monk, monsieur" she ask
ed. shrinking from him. and Jacques Dau-
ban? What Is the meaning of that knife?"
and she pointed at the knife which unwit
tingly he retained in his hand.
Il am the monk, mademOiselle. For Gods
sake don't run off in that way" He turned
and tossed the knife back into the ROOM
did you think had murdered myself and
with an unstained knife?" he asked and
smiled Il am here on NJ de Cobalt's bust
ness and miladi of Malincourt's, and
must have help.
Reassured by his tone she returned then
What has happened" she asked
THAT which may help TO straighten all
this devil of a tangle. | have tricked that
spy of de Proba Hes and pinched half the
life out of him, and must have help to get
him safely Gagged He proved too slippery
for me once before
Il don't understand
I'm show you" and he opened the door
SO that she saw Dauban.
rs he dead?" she asked shrinking again
He would be If he had his deserts
But what does IL all mean?"
Such q cauldron of trouble as the devil
loves to set a-bubbling. mademoiselle. NJ.
Gerard de Cobalt has been found to be
not Gerard de Cobalt, and the governor
has clapped him into one of his castle
cells; this cur here and his mangey master
are at the bottom of it'll have Just laid
hards on the written proofs of their part
1 have rad buSS afternoon and am in
=