Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-07-20
CHAPTER VI.-CoNTINUED.

Import that would take a human be-
ing out in such a storm. Whatever his
object, the mans purpose never for
moment wavered as he fought against
the sweep of the drenching blast that
he encountered while crossing the
Pont Notre Dame. Turning and walk
ing along the river bank for a short
distance, he finally entered small and
obscure cross-street. He proceeded
along this, until he was directly in
front of a dilapidated building situ-
ated in the rear of the Hotel de Vile
Here he stopped and gave a peculiar
whistle. which could not have been
heard for more than 20 PAGES, because
of the uproar of the storm. A dark
figure, securely mutfled like his own,
appeared at his side, as suddenly and
mysteriously as though he had come
up through the earth. A sign was
given and returned, and the heads of
the two men approached each other,
while their lips moved in some mystic
rious interchange of words.
All seemed we'll, for the first con-
spirator turned, and, opening a narrow
door with small key, disappeared,
followed by the other. They felt their
way along pitch dark passage. Again
a key was used, and a word of caution
heard from the leader as they descend,
ed a flight of stairs into a subterTa-
mean way. This was soon traversed,
and door was reached, through whose
cracks and keyhole light appeared.
This opened into room built entirely
underground and lighted by large
lamp. A table occupied the center of
the floor, and several chairs were scat
tered about. A large brazier of lighted
charcoal warmed the air and dissipated
the moisture of the place. An open
ing in the roof leading to the out,
side world somewhere gave sufficient
ventilation.
The door being closed the leader
threw off his cloak and muffler and ad-
vanced to the brazier, spreading his
hands above the glowing Goals with
slight shiver. At length he turned
and showed by the lamplight the form
and features of Jean Baptiste Colbert,
minister of finance, the most powerful
as well as the most energetic of the
kings servants: of middle stature
rather lean than fat; black hair, so
thin that he always wore cap of low
and detected mien, gloomy air, and
stern aspect; eyes usually half closed
giving him the appearance of great
craftiness his outward behavior
modest and accompanied by much
seeming plainness and simplicity; So
ber, sleeping little. always alert; hard
&c Ill. i
without concern the misery of an inf
mite number whom he had ruined to
enrich his masters treasury, and hence
advance his own interests. Nicknamed
"The Man of Marble" he sacrificed
honor, integrity, gratitude, and every
thing else for the benefit of his am
btion.
His companion also removed the COW
rering about his face and neck. His
dress was that of a man of the lower
classes. his face pale, sharply cut and
ascetic. His manner toward his COM
panion was that of an inferior in the
presence of his superior in authority
Colbert spoke first.
"a terrible night" he said with an
other shiver that convulsed his entire
frame, and caused him to seek again
the grateful glow of the Goals.
Truly, fearful storm" replied the
other "But it is necessary for mem
bers of our order to be about the or
der's business ad majorem Del gloriam
in spite of the raging of the elements"
Colbert sat down in one of the chairs
near the table, motioned to his com
nd 1ru al
and after seiZing a quill and drawing
near his elbow the ink-horn and parch-
ment that lay there ready for use, he
commanded the other to relate his
story.
Il left Quebec" began the messen-
ger, for he was none other, "in No
vember and reached La Rochelle in
January last. The day after landing
I was seized with a terrible fever, con-
tracted on board ship. When | recov-
cred | found that two months had
elapsed. | bore with me a message
from the bishop of Quebec, who. al
though not a member of our order. is
very friendly to it. | was instructed
to deliver it to you in person and to
avoid all help from the members of
our order in France, so that none
would know that the Jesuits in Que
bee were communicating with you. |
started from La Rochelle penniless and
alone. Deprived of the support of my
order, was obliged to beg my wav.
The fever left me with a running sore
upon my leg, By exhibiting this to
ahe passers-by, I was enabled to get
she money to live oA A relapse con-