Evening star., 1905-11-04
THE WHITE COMPANY
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

him.
Thou villain inn-keeper." he shouted.
did not ask you. when brought my lady
here, whether your inn was clean?"
You did, Sire"
Did ! not very particularly ask you
whether there were any vermin in t?'
You did. sire"
And you answered me?'
That there were not, sire
And yet, ere have been here an hour, I
find Eng1ishmen crawling about within H.
Where are we to be free from this pesti-
lent race? Can Frenchman upon French
land not sit down in French auberge with
out having his ears pained by the clack
of their hideous talk? Send them packing,
inn-keeper. or it may be the worse for them
and for YOU"
Il will, sire, will.' cried the frightened
host, and hustled from the room, while
the soft, soothing voice of the woman was
heard demonstrating with her furious COM
panion.
Indeed, gentlemen. you had best go"
said the host 1t is but six miles to Vile
franche, where there are very good quar-
ters at the sign of the Lion Rouge
Nay" answered Sir Nigel, Il can not go
until have seen more OF this person. for
he appears to be man from whom much
title?'
ut is not for my lips to name it unless
by his desire But beg and pray you. gen.
tlemen, that you will go from my house.
Tor know not what may come of 1t If his
i1SC silOulu gam the mastery OIL MIN.
by st. Paul!'' lisped Sir Nigel, this Is
certainly man whom it is worth journey
ing FAR to know. Go tell him that an hum
bic knight of England would make his fur
tner honorable acquaintance. not from any
presumption. pride or ill-wil, but for the
advancement of chivalry and the glory OF
our ladies. Give him greeting from Sir
Niger Loring, and say that the glove which
less and lovely of her sex. whom I am now
ready to uphold against any lady whose
claim he might be desirous of advancing
The landlord was hesitating whether to
or the inner room was flung open, and the
stranger bounded out like panther from
It's den, his hair bristling and his deformed
face convused with anger.
Still here!' he snarled DOGS OF Eng
land, must ye be lashed hence? Tiphaine,
my swordr'
He turned to seize his weapon. but as he
did SO his gaze fell upon the blazonry of
SIR NigePs shield, and he stood staring.
While the fire in his strange green eyes
softened into sly and humorous twinkle.
Mort Dieu. cried he. 'it is my little
swordsman of Bordeaux. l should remem-
per mat coat-armor, seeing that it is but
three days since 1 looked upon it in the
lists by Garonne. All! Sir Nigel Sir Nigel!
you owe me a return for this" and he
touched his right arm, which was grt round
chief
But the surprise of the stranger at the
slght or Sir Nigel was nothing COM
pared with the astonshment and the de-
lght which shone upon the face of the
knight OF Hampshire as he looked upon the
strange face of the Frenchman. Twice he
opened his mouth, and twice he peered
again, as though to assure himself that his
eyes had not played him a trick
Bertrand! he gasped at laSt-"Bertrand
du Guescinr'
by ST. lves!" shouted the French soldier
with hoarse roar of laughter, lit is we'll
that / should ride with my vizor down, for
ne that has once seen my face does not
need to be told my name 1t is indeed I
Sir Nigel, and here is my hand! 1 give
you my word that there are but three Eng
hshmen In this world whom I would touch
save with the sharp edge of the sword: the
prince is one, Chandos the second, and you
the third; for l have heard much that is
good of YOU
Il am growing aged, and am somewhat
spent IN the wars" quoth Sir Nigel: but
L can lay by my sword now with an easy
mind, for l can say that I have crossed
swords with him who hath the bravest
heart ana the strongest arm of all this
great Kingdom of France. l have longed
for 1T, have dreamed of it. and now can
scarce bring my mind to understand that
this great honor hath indeed been mine"
BY the Virgin of Rennes! you have
given me cause to be very certain of it."
said Du Guesclin, with gleam of his broad
white teeth.
And perhaps, most honored sir. IT would
pIedSe you 10 continue the debate. Perha rs
you would condescend TO go further into
the matter. God He knows that I am nm
worthy of such honor, yet l can show my
four-and- sixty quarterings, and have been
present at some chickering's and scuffiings
during these twenty years"
Your fame is very well known to me and
l shall ask my lady to enter your name upon
my tablets" said Sir Bertrand. There are
many who wish TO advance themselves and
who bide their turn, for l refuse no man
who comes on such errand At present
it may not be, for mine arm is stiff from
this small touch, and | would fain do Won
1ull honor when we cross swords again
come IN with me, and let your squires come
also, that my sweet spouse. the Lady TIP
haine, may say that she hath seen so famed
and gentle q knight"
Into the chamber they went in all peace
and concord, where the Lady Tiphaine sat
like queen on throne for each In turn to
be presented to her. Sooth to say the stout
heart of Sir Nigel, which cared little for
the wrath of her lion-ike spouse was some
what shaken by the calm cold face of this
stately dame, for twenty years of camp
life had left him more at ease in the lists
than IN a lady's boudoir He bethought
him, too as he looked at her set lips and
deep-set, questioning eyes, that he had
heard strange tales of this same LADY Tin
haine du Guesclin. Was it not she who
said to lay hands upon the sick and
raise them from their couches when the
leeches had spent their last nostrums? Had
she not forecast the future and were there
not tunes when in the loneliness of her
chamber she was heard to hold converse
with some being upon whom mortal eve
never rested-some dark familiar who
passed where doors were barred and win
dows high? Sir Nigel sunk his eve and
marked cross on the side of his leg as he
greeted this dangerous DAME and vet ere
five minutes had passed he was hers and
not he only, but his two young sauires as
well. The mind had gone out of them. and
they could but look at this woman and
listen to the words which fell from her
lips-words which thrilled through their
nerves and stirred their souls like the bat
tie call Of bugle
Often In peaceful after days was Allevue
to think of that scene of the way-side inn
of Auyergne. The shadows of evening had
fallen and the corners of the long low
wood-paneled room were draped in dark
ness. The sputtering wood fire threw out
circle Of red, fickerng light which PLAYED
over the little group of wayfarers. and
showed up every line and shadow upon their
faces Sir Nigel sat with elbows unon
knees, and chin upon hands his patch stfIl
covering one eye, but his other shining like
a star, while the ruddy light cleaned upon
his smooth white head. Ford was seated
at his left, his lips parted, his eyes Staring
and feck of deep color on either cheek
his limbs all rigid as one who fears to move
On the other side the famous French can
tain leaned back in his chair, litter of mt
shells upon his lap, his huge head half