Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-22

ard in reply. dropping readily into his as
sumed character.
De Probable smiled unpeasantly.
You played boldly l did not know you
had such cOurage-eXcept in your cups
Yes you have made a good impression on
Gabrielle; but have none the less done III.
I'm what way?''
''In saving that fool today You were
too hasty You should have let one of the
swords find his heart and then have play
ed the rescuer of Gabrielle The men
wouldn't have touched YOU
Read me the riddle
.'Denys has found out something of the
real purpose of this marriage; how much l
know not; and his silence is necessary 10
our success. The duke will not thank you:
'sThe duker' exclaimed Gerard hastily
bevildered by this unexpected reference 10
the governor in connection with the mar
riage \ sudden sharp glance from ms
companion warned him that ne NAG p .lrhc
dered so he forced a laugh and added "Ihe
duke should label his men II he does not
want them hurt. -...., A. p-oboua
sharply. Had you come straight 10 me
mis- would have been avoided. L tell you
the man is dangerous. Is not that
enough -. !. ,,,,o,,,,s :,
HE knows that you are here to marry
Gabrielle and that in doing so you are
merely playing catspaw; and he suspects
the real purpose, that 1t is to cover the
dukes plan in regard to her. .-, =,
Then he suspects what an lnIerhaI VII
lain Gerard de Cobalt must be-
HE is not alone in that suspicion, was
de Proballe's sneering comment.
True l think I'm beginning to suspect
it myself" answered Gerard drily.
IF you were anything else, you'd be little
use to us; so let us have no cant here
81 am here to play my part, said Gerard
smoothly depressing his anger.
1T Is a part many a better man would
gladly play You will have wealth, beau
,,r{F oh
don for that Cambria affair Surely all
that a man could wish He regarded Ger
ard with a sly, covert smile as he reeled on
these advantages.
Gerard's face was as impassive as that
of a statue, while his thoughts were busy
seeking the real meaning beneath the
words. He paused a moment, and then an
swered in level tone
True, but you omit the price l have to
pay"
Price" cried de Probable. with another
sneer. Price Honor rather, you mean.
The Duke de Rochelle is all but of the
ever be have been glad to pay no more for
their careers than to close their eyes to
the conduct of their wives
BY GodI' exclaimed Gerard, his voice
vibrating with feeling as he realized now
the full infamy of the plot and the degra-
dation of the part cast for him; then catch
ing de Proballes eyes fixed on him, he
forced down his rage, and said coolly
You are right. monsieur; Gerard de Co
bait cannot afford to be particular. He
has that pardon TO gain
You will. of course. bide at Malincourt
Have you a servant and apparel suited 70
your new position? You are but indifferent
ly clad now
Il am but courier of fortune; but
have a servant. and can provide for all the
needs of even my high position at Maltn-
court
you are a strange fellow. Gerard, and
altogether unlike what your letters had led
me TO expect. But take your own way"
Il have done that always. and shall no.
change even in Malincourt. j have mat
ter that calls me TO the town, and will re-
turn to the maison within an hour or So
by your leave" and without another word
ne turned and walked away. leaving de
Probable staring after him in high dudgeon
at his unexpected independence.
Gerard plunged along at quick pace.
his brows pent and frowning as he thought
over the extraordinary situation in which
he found himself involved He made his
He would return to Malincourt to see The
thing through. to watch over Gabrielle and
TO play out the part for which he had been
thus Unexpectedly cast.
The explanation need not be loEg delayed.
Once let him get the proofs of the gov
ernor's connivance at the scheme-and
these he hoped to get in the interview
which de Probable said was to take place at
Cnce-snd he would strike the power from
the governors hands by virtue of the au-
thority which his father. the Duke OF Bour-
bon. as suzerain of the province, had con-
ferred upon him.
officer. Pascal. O close Intimate friend. told