Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-02-07
NUMBER 6.

w
much needed information. Wien he
had repaired to the bedside OF the sol
dier the night before he had only his
trip for his pains. rs the man had
again sunk into unconsciousness short
ly before his coming. Thus the free
baron was still in ignorance of tie per-
son to whom the fool had betrayed
him.
With firm step the kings guest en-
tered the chamber of the injured SOL
dier. Upon narrow bed lay the troop
er, his mustachios appearing unusually
red and fierce against his now yellow,
washed out complexion. As the free
baron drew near the couch tall figure
arose from the side Of the bed.
How is your patient, doctor" said
the visitor shortly.
Low" returned the other laconic-
ally. This person wore black gown,
a pair Of huge broad trimmed glasses
resting on the bridge OF a thin. long
nose. and I'm his clawlike fingers he
held n vial, the contents of which he
stirred slowly. His aspect was that OF
living sorrow and melancholy.
HAS he been conscious again. ask.
ed the caller.
HE has cen lain as you see lin, re-
piled the wearer Of the black robe.
His days are numbered" quotl the
free baron to himself. staring forward.
But as he spoke he imagined he saw
the red mustachios move. while one eye
certainly glared with intelligent hatred
upon the doctor and turned with anX-
ious solicitude upon his master. ne
latter Immediately knelt by tie "ed-
side and laid his hand upon the already
cold one Of the solder.
Speak" he said.
1t was the command OF an officer
| to trooper an authoritative bidding,
and seemed 10 summon last ra!lyinS
energy from the iaiiins her. lie
mans gaze showed thai he understood.
From the free baron's eye flashed Il
glance of savage power and force.
Speak" he repeated cruelty. impera-
lively.
The mustachios quivercd: tie 10 der
bent his head low. so low his face al
most touched the soldiers \ voice
was II voice. so faint il sounded
breathed few words:
The emperor - Spain - Cailictte
gone.'
Soberly the kings guest walked
| Jnu.,, ,Ia n,bnfny - &, irway nut intn rho
open air of the court. The cinnp"r" n
| Spain? It seemed not un,St II
| the emperor had gone to Spain HOS
| senger. riding posthaste could reach
| Charles I'm time To enable that mon
arch to interpose in the nur;.a.S and
| override the confidence the free baron
had established for himself in tie court
| OF Francis IN impeachment oac"ed
| by Charles would be equivalent 10 iAe
| abandonment OF the entire marital "n-
terprisc.
| Pausing before 4 massive are ed
doorway that led into wing OF the
| castle where tie free ba"oa knew the
| testers and cr"taiu of TIE gentlemen
| OF the chamber lodged. the master of
| Hochfrs. IN answer To his INQUIRIES
from Il servant ic;tIi.,u t.Iit CalHc.te
| had not been in MS a:'.;g,.acnt' See
| III. day before: that lie l"d rid'.en
| from the tournament oStensibly To re-
| turn 10 his rooms. but nothing had
been heard of him since.
| No further doubt remained in his
mind that the dukes PLEASANT had sent
comrade in motley 10 the emperor.
and rs he would not have inspired a
mere fools errand Charles without
| question WAS in Spain. several days
| nearer 10 tie court of the French mon
| arch than the princess bctrothed LAD
presumed. Caillette had now been
| four and twenty hours on his Journey.
| IL would be useless to attempt pursuit,
as the jester was Il gallant horselnen,
trained To the hunt Such man would
be indefatigable in the saddle. and the
other realized that. strive as he might,
he could never overcome the handicap.
| Then of what avail was one fool In
the dungeon. with second on the
road? Should he abandon his quest,
be driven from his purpose by nest
of motley meddlers? The idea never
seriously entered his mind. He would
fight 1t out doggedly upon the Held OF
deception. But hOwf
/ nm <SD,rYTNrA