The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-03-18

from ward. and are now In safe keep
ing for the king. The lie. ah. we'll. III
paraon that for the while. You can
| not leave here, and I have ample time
for avenging my honor after ! have
| had the pleasure of your delightful
conversation.
He leaned morosely against the wall,
staring at me. as | went on.
Nov listen TO me quietly. You have
| those dispatches upon your person. l
want them. and by all the gods / Will
have them. If l have to kill you for
them, then so much the worse for you.
Now listen. Give me those dispatches.
We will then get out of here together.
and once outside, I will give you full
four and twenty hours. That time
elapsed, I will turn the dispatches over
to the authorities. II you can escape
with your miserable life so be 1t. Do
you agree"
II have no dispatches" he sullenly
replied. and who are you to dare
charge me with t%reason?"
There was no ring of resentment in
his tones, though he stroVe manfuliy
to stimulate offended and indignant In
nocence. 1t was necessary to keep him
in ignorance for a while, because I
feared he might set upon me, and be-
Ing really an excellent swordsman, the
issue Of conflict would be doubtful. But
the weightier reason lay in the fact
that the clash of steel might draw
down upon us the occupants of the
house. Here I was In a much worse
plight than he, though he knew it not.
For whether those occupants were the
friends of Broussard or the marshal's
men. the result would be equally fatal
tn mo 4 man Jn1JSt fh3plf r11inL1p ,r
der such straits, and l was sorely put
to it for some device. No strategem
would be too base to use against such
q villain, for he would not hesitate to
knife me IN the back.
"Broussard. let us understand each
other here and now. You know me.
I am Plaeide de Mouret," removing my
mask and looking him sternly In the
eye.
Great God. de Mouret!"
"Ihe same. l am your master at the
swords, and you know 1t. Now turn
out those papers," | had been Quietly
as the dazed man tried to collect his
senses, so was ready while he stiIl
stood u~nprepared.
Throw up Jour hands,"
He mechanically obeyed: the dis
corery OF his vHlainy had completely
unnamed him.
Now unbuckle your belt, and drop
IT to the ground He did as ne was
bid. 90
Kick 1T across the floor" The
weapon was tossed out Of his reach.
| walked up closer to him. and forced
MN to loose his coat that l might ind
lne papers, and was rewarded by the
~uiscoEe!y of a packet, much similar to
mat dropped by Ward. It was sealed
IN such a manner It could not be
opened, and bore no address. re-
moved the dagger from his hip, and
naNi'E' as thought, completely dis
anidieu nm ielt no further uneasiness.
Inc maj was thoroughly cowed. and
never once raised his eyes to mine.
verify treason 10th rob the stoutest
heart Of half It's courage.
NOW Go as l bid you, and Will keene
my promise TO let you go. And mind
NJ you max not the slightest sound
"mmI,h may attract the soldiers"
An you fear the soldiers too" he
,aane", Nasuely trying to puzzle out
49, ! should be afraid of those In
who's service l was.
IT Is not our purpose tn toll, r
silnply want the credit myself, and do
iiot want to share 1t with those FOL
lows out there. We must work to
leaVe this place at once. Do Won stand
"Hsle you are
l gathered up the scattered wea Mons
anu piled them all in ono corrar
1arthest from the door, where 7 nov
proposed to set about getting fraa
Win the fearful blight of
treason in his soul. Broussard obevad
us ilislNsly as Il %ervant, and work ed
as narn, Tor his safety lay in mine. Wa
ven. iirst TO the door by which we en-
tIieu, n after a tedious eyau,ina-
tlon rallied to find any means nv yyhich
IL could be opened or broken down A
STOUT iatch, Of some pattern we could
~ yen, held 1t fast from the outside
aneie was no catch or fastening ~
any sort within. The aee-baraeraa
oak, studded as it was with heaviIv
Mfousht nails, forbade the plan of c,,t,
ing through. This would REQUIRE 49,.
and Gays Of patient labor. and T w.
alreaoy faint from lack Of food and
me exhaustion of the night. P]lainiu
ils room was intended for a prison
ana as such it served well It's nurnosa
baIlled and disheartened turned 49,.
thought to the window. 1t looked AZ
upon the street: this was so n,1,cb =.
my favor The irons that gnardaa =.
We're close set, bending out toward tina
street In the shape CT a bow, inda -
tnls was In order thai arcbers 60
uoned there might shoot the 49,
eaSi'S mo the street In times Of siege
Continued Next Week.)