Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24
CHAPTER XIV.
A RuSe.

There was, unfortunately, no reason to
doubt the correctness of the ominous news,
and for a moment Gerard looked very grave
when he learned that the approaching force
numbered between fifty and a hundred
troops.
Are there likely to be any of our own
nen?" he asked Pascal.
II fear not. Bassot told me that they
were not held of much use in this search
work, owing to their ignorance of the
place"
yet we might venture it, 1t would be
stroke. What say you. Pascal? Shall we
let them all enter and risk struggle to
capture them? We should get some of the
arms we want badly. They are all
carr ying muskets."
THAT is more like you Gerard" cried
Pascal, enthusiastically. "a stroke worth
making, indeed and if well planned easy
enough
"Quick. then Here is the plan Post
men to command the great hall; it Is there
we may take the main body of them Dis
pose of the rest secretly as you can in
the upper floors. Let no one but men of
the household be about when they come to
the door Let them show fear and surprise
and. delaying as long as they can in safe
ty admit at last that we are in the house
The soldiers will not all enter at once, but
If search has to be made for us most of
them will have to be brought in for it. Let
the search go on and when the soldiers are
struggled in parties over the house we can
deal with them Mademoiselle de Malfn-
court and Lucette must go to the chapel
crypt to be ready to fly should the plan
fail"
zone suggestion I have" said Pascal
quickly. The shrewdest tongue in Malin-
court is between Mademoiselle Lucette's
white teeth, and If she would meet the men
on their entry she would be best for the
purpose"
81 will sound her. Go you and post the
men, and Gerard hurried back to Gabrielle
and Lucette and explained his scheme.
Lucette gladly agreed to play the part
asked. and listened attentively as Gerard
gave her all the necessary Instructions
Delay them all you cam" he said
two hours now to dark, and If we can hold
the place through the night the delay may
save everything"
He led Gabrielle to the chapel crypt while
Lucette ran down to the great hall to wait
for the coming of the troops Their own
men were hurrying to their hiding places
under the directions of Pascal and the off,
GERS, all laughing gleefully enough at the
prospect of the coming tussle. But the dis
positions were made very rapidly, and Luz
cette had been alone some minutes before
the tramp of the men outside was heard,
followed by loud summons for admission
Lucette told one of the servants to open
the door, and he was pushed brusquely to
one side as an officer with some dozen men
filed into the house.
Lucette gave cry of surprise and alarm
What is the meaning of this, MONSIEUR
she asked.
'T am sorry IL disturb you. made
moiselle," said the officer. saluting her,
"but my orders are imperative"
Are you going to shoot us all, mon
sieur?" He was young and good-looking,
she found, as she brought the battery Of
her eyes into action, and he answered her
smile with another.
mot ul1ite that mademoisel1e. nrav ha
treasured But some strange things have
happened"
"This is surely ore of them, monsieur"
she interposed. with shrug OF her pretty
shoulders and little grimace OF dismay
"You know that We are looking for some